6.1.3: The Ending
- Page ID
- 21988
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By beginning a paragraph with a phrase such as "To summarize,” you signal that all the main points you intended to make have now been made. At this point in your writing you should review and summarize those main ideas, especially if the piece is longer than two pages. Now the reader is ready to stop looking at the trees and refocus on the forest—that is, on whether you’ve succeeded with the grand program you promised in your introduction. But there is no formula for good writing. An argumentative essay isn't always imperfect if it lacks a summary.
Actually, the phrase “to summarize” is trite; so, you might try to think of an alternative phrase for the transition to the ending.