AWA Crafting Effective Conclusions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes a 'call to action' conclusion from a 'implication' conclusion in AWA essays?
- A call to action urges specific steps; an implication draws out broader consequences (Correct answer)
- A call to action is only for Issue essays; implications are only for Argument essays
- An implication is stronger and always preferred by raters
- They are interchangeable terms meaning the same thing
Correct answer: A call to action urges specific steps; an implication draws out broader consequences
A call to action directs what should be done next, while an implication explores what the analysis means in a wider context.
Question 2: An AWA writer ends their essay: 'Without addressing these logical gaps, the argument cannot be taken seriously.' This conclusion is best described as:
- Too aggressive and likely to hurt the score
- Appropriately direct, summarizing the essay's critical stance (Correct answer)
- Too vague because it doesn't name specific flaws
- Excellent because it introduces a new criticism
Correct answer: Appropriately direct, summarizing the essay's critical stance
This conclusion clearly reflects the analytical purpose of the Argument essay by reiterating that the reasoning is flawed overall.
Question 3: Why should an AWA conclusion avoid introducing entirely new evidence?
- New evidence makes the conclusion too long
- It undermines the essay's structure by raising unanswered questions at the end (Correct answer)
- Raters penalize any evidence not cited in the prompt
- New evidence is only allowed in Issue essays, not Argument essays
Correct answer: It undermines the essay's structure by raising unanswered questions at the end
Introducing new evidence at the end leaves readers with unresolved questions and signals poor organizational planning.
Question 4: Which sentence most effectively closes an Issue essay arguing for stricter environmental regulations?
- In conclusion, I have discussed environmental regulations in this essay.
- Stricter regulations, while imperfect, represent the most pragmatic path toward sustainable economic growth for future generations. (Correct answer)
- Some people agree with stricter regulations and some do not.
- This essay proves that environmental regulations are necessary.
Correct answer: Stricter regulations, while imperfect, represent the most pragmatic path toward sustainable economic growth for future generations.
This sentence synthesizes the argument, acknowledges nuance, and elevates the discussion to a broader significance.
Question 5: In the AWA Analyze an Argument task, the conclusion should NOT:
- Reinforce which logical flaws were most critical
- Suggest what additional information would strengthen the argument
- Argue that the prompt's conclusion is definitely correct or definitely wrong (Correct answer)
- Note the overall weakness of the reasoning presented
Correct answer: Argue that the prompt's conclusion is definitely correct or definitely wrong
The Argument task asks you to analyze reasoning, not to pass judgment on whether the underlying claim is true or false.
Question 6: How does mirroring the introduction improve an AWA conclusion?
- It creates a circular structure that confuses raters
- It creates a satisfying sense of closure and shows the essay is well-organized (Correct answer)
- It prevents the writer from adding new ideas
- It reduces the need to write original concluding sentences
Correct answer: It creates a satisfying sense of closure and shows the essay is well-organized
Echoing the introduction's imagery or framing in the conclusion creates cohesion and signals a deliberate, organized essay.
Question 7: Which AWA score range is most associated with conclusions that merely list body paragraph topics without synthesis?
- 5–6
- 3–4 (Correct answer)
- 1–2
- 4–5
Correct answer: 3–4
Conclusions that restate without synthesizing typically signal adequate but not strong writing, placing essays in the 3–4 range.
AWA Crafting Effective Conclusions 3
What distinguishes a 'call to action' conclusion from a 'implication' conclusion in AWA essays?