AWA Crafting Effective Conclusions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a hallmark of a score-6 AWA conclusion?
- It is the longest paragraph in the essay
- It integrates the essay's ideas with precision and leaves the reader with a compelling final thought (Correct answer)
- It avoids any reference to the essay's thesis
- It introduces at least two new supporting examples
Correct answer: It integrates the essay's ideas with precision and leaves the reader with a compelling final thought
Score-6 conclusions demonstrate mastery by elegantly synthesizing ideas and providing a resonant, precise closing thought.
Question 2: When should an AWA Issue essay conclusion restate the thesis almost verbatim?
- Always — repetition reinforces the argument
- Never — the conclusion should paraphrase and synthesize, not copy (Correct answer)
- Only if the essay is below the word limit
- Only for short, simple topics
Correct answer: Never — the conclusion should paraphrase and synthesize, not copy
Verbatim repetition signals a lack of rhetorical sophistication; paraphrasing and synthesizing shows command of language and ideas.
Question 3: Which conclusion error is described as 'throat-clearing'?
- Using overly complex vocabulary in the final sentence
- Starting the conclusion with formulaic phrases that delay the actual point (Correct answer)
- Spending too many words on concessions
- Writing the conclusion before the introduction
Correct answer: Starting the conclusion with formulaic phrases that delay the actual point
'Throat-clearing' refers to filler phrases like 'In conclusion, it is clear that this essay has shown…' that waste words before making the real point.
Question 4: How does a well-crafted AWA conclusion demonstrate command of language?
- By using technical jargon from the essay's topic domain
- By varying sentence structure and choosing precise, sophisticated vocabulary (Correct answer)
- By matching the exact sentence length of the introduction
- By avoiding any transition words or phrases
Correct answer: By varying sentence structure and choosing precise, sophisticated vocabulary
Varied syntax and precise word choice signal linguistic control, a key component of the AWA rubric's 'command of standard written English.'
Question 5: An AWA conclusion reads: 'For all these reasons, the argument is flawed.' Why might raters consider this weak?
- It is too aggressive in criticizing the argument
- It is vague and fails to specify which reasons or how they collectively matter (Correct answer)
- It is an appropriate summary for a short essay
- It incorrectly uses the phrase 'for all these reasons'
Correct answer: It is vague and fails to specify which reasons or how they collectively matter
Vague summaries like this fail to demonstrate analytical depth; effective conclusions specify and synthesize rather than gesture broadly.
Question 6: Which structural approach BEST demonstrates coherence between an AWA essay's introduction and conclusion?
- Starting both with the same transitional phrase
- Echoing the introduction's central image or framing device while advancing the argument to a final insight (Correct answer)
- Making the conclusion exactly the same length as the introduction
- Placing the thesis statement as both the first and last sentence
Correct answer: Echoing the introduction's central image or framing device while advancing the argument to a final insight
Echoing introductory framing while adding a final insight creates structural elegance and demonstrates intentional, sophisticated composition.
Question 7: Which AWA task requires the conclusion to suggest specific evidence or studies that would improve the argument's persuasiveness?
- Analyze an Issue
- Analyze an Argument (Correct answer)
- Both tasks equally
- Neither — conclusions should never recommend evidence
Correct answer: Analyze an Argument
The Analyze an Argument task specifically asks writers to identify what additional information would make the argument more convincing, making this appropriate in its conclusion.
AWA Crafting Effective Conclusions 5
Which of the following is a hallmark of a score-6 AWA conclusion?