AS and A Level: English Language

Conclusion analysis

Good conclusions usually refer back to the question or title and address it directly - for example by using key words from the title.
How well do you think these conclusions address the title or question? Answering these questions should help you find out.

1. Do they use key words from the title or question?
2. Do they answer the question directly?
3. Can you work out the question or title just by reading the conclusion?

• Compare and contrast two candidates

  "In conclusion, despite Senator Collins' advantages, I still disagree wit her points of view on the war in Iraq, tax cuts to corporations and her lack of support for universal healthcare plan. The contrasts between the two candidates could not be clearer. Susan Collins has acted in the interest of the President and Republican Party, while Tom Allen consistently stood up to the Bush administration and has always fought for Mainers. He has a record to be proud, and it shows what kind of Senator he will be. Hopefully, if Tom Allen gets elected, he will live up to his words and promises by becoming a fighter for the low and middle class."

• An essential element of a short story is its ending. Discuss this statement with reference to two short stories of your choice

  "So as you can see the ending was the total opposite to what you would expect. So at the end of the story, the Vallins were reunited and the Tuvaches were split up. The setting of the story fits in very well because it shows how poor the families were and why the money from selling the child was so important. I think the moral of this story is ' In some situations, there is never a right answer.' I think in both of the short stories I have written about the ending has dramatically changed the story for the better. The writer has done this by carrying the same theme all the way through the story, but has still managed to create the unpredictable ending needed to make any short story successful. Sean Morton 29th January 2004"

• The Crucible: Discuss the changes in the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor in the course of the play?

  "To conclude, I feel that at the start of the play John realises that what he did to Elizabeth was wrong and he does not wish to go back to that, so already he wishes to protect her. However their relationship was still stale and cold between them both until Elizabeth found out that she was accused of witchcraft. And then she needed to trust John to speak to Abigail and John had a new found love for Elizabeth as he felt he needed to protect her. As the court scene developed they both learnt something new about each other and the ways in which they react to different situation, and I feel that it is the start of the coming together of their relationship. But it is only during Act 4 when Elizabeth is trying to persuade John to admit to seeing the devil that I feel their relationship is re-built. But I still feel that Elizabeth was not the same with John after the affair as at the end of the play and in echoes down the corridor she moves on too easily."