Unit 13

Theme: Writing Conclusions

Objectives: learn how to write conclusions

Methodical instructions: This theme must be worked out during two lessons a week according

to timetable and its result can be achieved through extension the use of academic language in

speech activity: speaking, reading, writing and listening:

• The formation of listening skills can be developed when using a class video;

• The development of writing skills must be exercised through self-work tasks;

- Reading skills should be improved in course of working on training materials the content

of which is intended to be understood in full;

• Speaking skills can be developed through active communication on the Unit’s topics.

Listening: Watch a video How to write a conclusion on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvs9IpA5O2s

After watching this video answer the following questions:

1. According to the speaker why do need a conclusion?

2. What is T –S- S?

3. How should we use Thesis in the conclusion part?

4. What should we summarize in the conclusion part?

5. What does Super So What mean?

6. How do you understand the main idea of the listened material?

Task 1.Features of conclusions

Writing conclusions Thе conclusion at the end оf уоur essay sеrvеs а numbеr of functions: - It is thе finаl раrt оf уоur text and so needs to рull together all the mаin ideas. - It should rеfеr back tо what you outlined in уоur introduction and to уоur thesis statement. - It is аn opportunity to show thе extent to which уоu hаvе been to deal with thе issues involved in уоur thesis statement. Just like intrоduсtiоns, conclusions саn hаvе а numbеr of features: 1. а logical conclusion that is evident frоm thе development of the ideas in уоur essay, as well as а briеf summаrу of the main ideas in the essay 2. comments оп these ideas 3. pгedictions fоr futurе developments in the topic аrеа оr statement of furthеr rеsеаrсh thаt might bе rеquiгеd 4. а statement of thе limitations оf thе wоrk соvеrеd bу уоur essay 5. а rеfеrеnсе back to thе thesis statement first mentioned in the intrоduсtiоn

1. Study the example conclusion below from the project of a student. Complete column 1 of the table below and on page 56 with the features 1-7 below.

1. Further research suggestions 2 limitations 3. Comments on ideas 4. Logical conclusion 5. Predictions 6. Brief summary 7. Reference to thesis statement

Example

To what extent is bank borrowing the best choice for small and medium-sized enterprises raising funds in Vietnam? This project has examined how the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the economic sector partly depends on financial management and financial decisions where choosing a suitable method to raise funds is crucial. The importance of a clear financial plan, understanding financial situations, and clarifying the advantages and disadvantage of each method has been discussed. Although there are a number of methods in capital markets for raising funds, borrowing from banks seems to be the best choice for small and medium-sized enterprises that want to expand. Despite the disadvantage of bank borrowing with high interest rates, and limits of borrowing, this essay has shown how bank borrowing is suitable for the business environment in Vietnam. This is because many businesses are family-run, with lack of management experience, but also because interest charges are deductible for such companies. The same lack of experience would make it difficult to venture into new capital markets, and currently, at least, bank loans are the most appropriate source of funding. As experience grows, however, and the depth of knowledge increases, it is important for these companies to consider other possible financial options.
Feature	Relevant section of text
_______________________________ _______________________________	Although there are a number of methods in capital markets for raising funds, borrowing from banks seems to be the best choice for small and medium-sized enterprises that want to expand.
_______________________________ _______________________________	This project has examined how the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the economic sector partly depends on financial management and financial decisions where choosing a suitable method to raise funds is crucial. The importance of a clear financial plan, understanding financial situations, and clarifying the advantages and disadvantage of each method has been discussed.
______________________________ ______________________________	(….this essay has shown how bank borrowing is suitable for the business environment in Vietnam. This is because many businesses are family-run, with lack of management experience, but also because interest charges are deductible for such companies. The same lack of experience would make it difficult to venture into new capital markets, and currently, at least, bank loans are the most appropriate source of funding.
	As experience grows, however, and the depth of knowledge increases, it is important for these companies to consider other possible financial options.
	Not included
	Not included
____________________________	… this essay has shown how bank borrowing is suitable for the business environment in Vietnam.

2. Conclusions 1-4 are also taken from the projects of students. They all contain some of the features, 1-7, in the list on page 55. Identify and highlight features from the list. Then write the numbers 1-7 in the margin beside the appropriate feature.

Conclusion 1

What role does the real estate property market play in the economy?

This essay has shown that the real estate market has different functions depending on whether the country involved has either a developing or developed economy. In general, real estate property is a national asset, and the real estate market is indispensable for national economic development. In China, where the real estate market is immature but growing rapidly, the national economy is more dependent on this market with its potential for employment, and possibility of attracting capital. In this situation, and ultimately as the Chinese government is the largest investor, the real estate market can be considered the engine of change. In contrast, the real estate market in the USA is mature, involved in many sections of the economy, and individuals are the largest investors. It remains to be seen whether the development of the Chinese economy will have a significant impact on the real estate market, creating a situation more similar to that of the American model.

Source: Edited extract from authentic student material.

Conclusion 2

A discussion of how green buildings can be both environmentally friendly and a profitable venture

Ways of decreasing the impact of construction on the environment have been analyzed, and the way in which these solutions can result, to some extent, in higher profits for their investors has been explained. It is suggested that green buildings can create additional value for the investor, since they reduce maintenance costs and thus increase profitability. Although only the use of solar energy for heating and light has been analyzed, it has been demonstrated how this usage can diminish the impact of building activities on the environment, and increase the profits for investors. However, this cannot be a global solution, since its effectiveness is restricted to sites with sufficient intense sunlight. In other areas, the re-use of ‘grey’ water and the harvesting of rainwater are alternative environmentally friendly solutions even though the high cost of drinkable water decreases its feasibility as a profitable venture. Nonetheless, should these techniques become widely used, and other cheaper solutions evolve, green buildings might indeed become both a totally environmentally friendly and a profitable solution.

Source: Edited extract from authentic student material

Conclusion 3

Developing customer loyalty: Current strategies and their effectiveness

Customer loyalty is essential for the future of firms, and companies need to develop different marketing strategies in order to create long-term loyalty. Both indirect methods, which are concerned with the image of the company, and direct methods, which emphasize the product, goods or service, are identified as possible strategies. Although both methods work well in theory, in practice it is shown that indirect methods are more efficient, and can provide a deeper loyalty, mainly based on trust and customer care. As indicated, the IKEA model evidence of how a trained staff member can retain a customer’s loyalty, even in different cultural situations.

In contrast, direct methods often create ‘false’ loyalty, which may be useful only in the short term. Furthermore, building loyalty is not guaranteed with this approach, and sometimes there are huge drawbacks. Thus, if the marketing plan is not well thought out and executed, companies may waste money in useless reward programmes. Many approaches used in recent years have shown that customers have individual personalities and gifts are not a sufficient general means of ensuring loyalty. Even though direct methods have some drawbacks, they can be useful, at least whilst the company is building a better option. As Riechheld’s research demonstrates, the best way to guarantee a company’s future is to build a better corporate and brand image, which shows the strengths of the company, without gimmicks.

Source: Edited extract from authentic student material.

Conclusion 4

The problem of overfishing in the great lakes of developing African countries and a review of current policy

This essay has shown that in order to reduce or eliminate the overfishing problem in developing East African countries, current policy needs to be reviewed to include a precautionary approach in rectifying the drastic depletion of fishing stock. This approach should address issues such as the stakeholders’ future position if restrictions such as quota fishing and closed season fishing are imposed. It would also be significantly more effective if other alternatives for obtaining fish for local industry would still get raw fish material for the factories and hence continue to meet its fish market demand. This would also ensure that local communities could generate sufficient income for their needs. Eventually, this approach would reduce the fishing pressure on inland waterways and eliminate the overfishing problem in the region.

Source: Edited extract from authentic student material.

2.3 Discuss your analysis of the conclusions in small groups.

2.4 Complete the summary table by ticking (٧) the appropriate columns.

Summary table

Feature	Conclusion 1	Conclusion 2	Conclusion 3	Conclusion 4
logical conclusion
brief summary
comments on ideas
Predictions
further research suggestions
Limitations
reference to thesis statement

Task 2. Analyzing your conclusion

2.1 Look at the conclusion of your own project. Which of the features from

the table below can you identify? Place tick (٧) in the appropriate row.

Feature	My project	My partner’s project
logical conclusion
brief summary
comments on ideas
Predictions

Task 3. The language of conclusion

4.1 Look again at Conclusions 1-4 on pages56-58. Underline any expressions or phrases you think might be useful in your own academic writing.

Conclusion 2

Ways of decreasing the impact of construction on the environment have been analyzed, and the way in which these solutions can result, to some extent, in higher profits for their investors has been explained.

Unit summary

1. Mark a-k with either FI for features of introductions, or FC for features of conclusions.

1. background information about the topic __

b. brief summary of the main ideas in the essay and comments on these __

c. justification for the choice of topic focus __

d. predictions for future developments __

e. mention of further research that might bе rеquirеd __

f. аn outline of the structure of the essay __

g. definition of key terms related to the topic __

h. limitations of the wоrk covered bу the essay ___

i. the thesis statement (the writer's viewpoint оr perspective) __

j. the writer's purpose in producing the essay __

k. а rеfеrеnсе back to the thesis statement __

2. Mark each of the features above as follows.

٧l used this in my project and think l used it well.

? l used this in my project, but l don't think l used it very well.

xI didn’t use this in my project

Self-work task:

Analyse scientific papers in your field. Write a conclusion of your research