Closings: Argument

Endings (http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1122.html)

When closing any paper, writers know the closing should

• tie up loose ends
• leave the reader with something to think about
• not insult the reader by telling him or her what I just wrote
• never end with "the end"

Here are a few options for closing a paper. Some options are better than others depending on the genre, but all can work depending on your lead. For example, in the argument paper I am writing, I started with an anecdote, so I might end with an anecdote for a circular ending. Thus, even though it is an argument paper, it has a narrative feel this way, and I like that because the paper is quite personal. It really depends on the tone you, as the writer, want to take and the mood you want the reader to take up as he or she leaves your paper.

1. Question: Close with a question that that involves the reader. You can answer the question, or leave it to the reader to decide based on what you wrote. Example. It was the worst experience of his life. Andrew decided that it was the last time he would ever go on a roller coaster. Who can blame him? 
2. Strong statement:s Close with a statement that forcefully states your opinion. Example: A criminal, no matter his/her age, should be dealt with according to the crime.  The legal system is too lenient when it comes to juvenile offenders.  Laws need to be rewritten immediately so that no more hard core criminals go free just because they are juveniles. 
3. Summary without repeating: With this more traditional ending, you don't want to insult your reader. The reader is smart enough to  know what they just read if you did a good job laying it out. Thus, avoid writing "I wrote about..." -- Example. As you can see, it is not important to know everything, but it is important to find out the answer. There will not always be a teacher nearby with the answer. you have to learn how to do research, how to dig through sources to find what you need to know. 
4. Personal comment close: This is not the same as an opinion but rather a response or a personal conclusion that you reached, like a lesson you have learned because of the experience you wrote about in your paper. Example: Riding a roller coaster with someone who is a "chicken" is something I will certainly never do again. I should have listened when Sheila told me she did not want to ride it. I should have let her take the "chicken exit." Next time I will know better. 
5. Mystery close: a statement that shows some things will never be resolved. With this closing, I don't want the reader to think I forgot to end the essay. This is probably best for a narrative, but it might work in an argument. For example, "We watched Adam walk down the road until he became just a tiny speck and then disappeared altogether into the dust of the twilight.  Just as he appeared, he was gone.  That was the last time any of us ever saw him."
6. Beginning of a new story: A hint of things to come or the beginnings oa a new story -- a sequel. Example: In my argument paper about my Dad, I might end with a story that gestures at the beginning. Christmas is coming, and because I have not seen or heard from my dad, once again, I knew it was time to reach out: "Dad, how about a cup of coffee?" 
7. Well known quotation famous or not: According to Bob Dole, in order to be a citizen, all Americans must  be able to speak English. in theory, this seems like a good policy; however, what will become of the citizens who never learn to speak English? 
8. Open conclusion: an ending that lets the reader draw his own conclusions: Some statistics show that drivers under the age of 16 are more dangerous. On the other hand, some statistics show that they are no more dangerous than drivers 16-25. Therefore, whether drivers under the age of 16 are more dangerous than those over 16 is still debatable.