Planning and writing the conclusion of an essay
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the conclusion of an essay, including a range of linguistic features.
Key learning points
- In our essay, the conclusion reflects the essay title, bringing the information from previous paragraphs together.
- The conclusion explains how reducing deforestation will help reduce the impacts of climate change.
- We will include subject-specific vocabulary and a range of linguistic features.
- Because the conclusion looks at possible future actions and outcomes, we will often use modal verbs.
- Modal verbs are auxiliary ('helping') verbs that are paired with a main verb.
Keywords
Conclusion - the closing paragraph of a non-fiction text
Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary that relates to a particular subject
Modal verbs - a type of auxiliary verb that expresses the degree of possibility, intent, ability or necessity of a clause
Linguistic features - the language structures that are used within a text
Common misconception
Pupils may not understand that a modal verb 'helps' another verb.
Draw attention to the fact that a modal verb comes before a main verb to modify it, e.g. 'will show', 'might help', 'should do' or 'would lead'.
Teacher tip
A slide is left intentionally lined for you to complete shared writing with your class. Depending on the outcomes of previous writing, you may wish to adapt the linguistic features focused on in this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which logical step of our essay has not yet been written?
Q2.Put the questions answered in each paragraph of our essay in the correct order.
Q3.Why was it so important for us to establish that deforestation is linked to climate change?
Q4.Which of the following are impacts of climate change?
Q5.Match the subject-specific vocabulary to its meaning.
the layer of gases that surrounds Earth
gases that trap heat, warming the earth
one particular greenhouse gas
gases given out by human activities
Q6.Which linguistic feature is used here? 'When trees are burned, carbon dioxide is released.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of the conclusion of our essay?
Q2.Which type of fronted adverbial is used here? 'Governments in the Amazon have lots to do. However, we can also help.'
Q3.Which of the below might be considered subject-specific vocabulary in our essay?
Q4.Which word in this sentence is the modal verb? 'Our government must take responsibility too and agree to plant more trees.'
Q5.Which of these are commonly used as modal verbs?
Q6.Why were modal verbs useful in our conclusion?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the conclusion of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the conclusion of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the The Amazon Rainforest: essay writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.