Page 233 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

entitled “How to Shop for a Used Car.”

Starched Prose

Writers who speak in a natural voice throughout an essay sometimes
stiffen up at the conclusion. They write starched prose such as “As I

have proven in this essay by discussing the above-mentioned

points. . . .” These writers may simply be feeling the awkwardness of

saying goodbye, or they may feel that an announcement of the

conclusion is needed. It isn’t. Even “in conclusion” is probably too
much. Readers know when a writer is concluding because the writer

stops developing specific points and begins to look once again at the

big picture.

Armed with a set of specific concluding techniques, you can avoid the
traps that snare some writers as they go about the difficult task of

ending an essay.