Lesson 17 - Paragraph Building: Closing Sentence

A closing sentence completes a paragraph. It returns to the main idea, gives the reader a clear sense of ending, and does not introduce a new or unrelated topic.

Learning objective

By the end of this lesson, you will identify and write a clear closing sentence that matches the paragraph’s topic sentence and supporting details.

1. Complete paragraph structure

Example:

My city is a beautiful place to live.
It has green parks and clean streets.
Overall, it is a lovely city.

The closing sentence returns to the main idea of beauty without copying the topic sentence word for word.

2. What a strong closing sentence does

A strong closing sentence:

• stays on the paragraph’s topic,
• restates or summarizes the controlling idea,
• connects logically to the supporting details,
• avoids introducing a new fact that needs explanation,
• gives a clear sense of completion,
• uses correct capitalization and punctuation.

Restate, do not merely repeat

Topic sentence: My job is easy to learn.

Weak closing: My job is easy to learn.

Stronger closing: Overall, my work is simple and manageable.

The stronger version expresses the same main idea with different words.

3. What a closing sentence should not do

Do not add an unrelated topic

Paragraph: My city is beautiful. It has clean streets and green parks.

Weak closing: My friend has a new phone.

The phone does not connect to the city’s beauty.

Do not introduce an unsupported new idea

Weak closing: My city will become the largest city in the world.

This prediction was not explained in the paragraph.

Do not end abruptly

A paragraph that stops immediately after a detail may feel unfinished. A short closing sentence helps the reader return to the main point.

4. Useful closing language

Punctuation

Use a comma after introductory transitions:

• Overall, my city is beautiful.
• For this reason, I love my hobby.
• In the end, the work is worthwhile.
• Finally, the class reaches its goal.

This is why normally does not require a comma after why:

• This is why my family is special to me.

5. Use pronouns and synonyms

Avoid unnecessary repetition by referring back clearly.

Use simple synonyms when possible:

• beautiful → lovely
• big → large
• fun → enjoyable
• easy → simple
• special → important to me

6. Match the closing to the support

City paragraph

Topic: My city is beautiful.
Support: It has green parks and clean streets.
Closing: Overall, it is a lovely place to live.

Hobby paragraph

Topic: My hobby is reading.
Support: I read every night, and books help me relax.
Closing: In the end, reading is the perfect hobby for me.

Family paragraph

Topic: My family is very close.
Support: We help one another every day.
Closing: This is why my family is special to me.

The closing sentence should be supported by the details that come before it.

7. Vocabulary for this lesson

General nouns

Useful closing verbs

Useful closing phrases

8. Guided speaking: “Finish the paragraph”

Listen to the topic and support. Say a connected closing sentence.

1. My city is beautiful. It has green parks. → Overall, it is a lovely city.
2. My hobby is reading. I read every night. → In the end, reading is my favorite hobby.
3. My family is close. We help one another. → This is why my family is special to me.
4. My job is easy to learn. The tasks are simple. → Overall, my work is manageable.
5. My school is large. It has many students. → Overall, it is a big and active school.

9. Guided listening

Listen to each three-sentence paragraph. Identify the topic, support, and closing sentence.

1. My city is beautiful. It has green parks. Overall, it is a lovely city.
2. My hobby is football. I play every weekend. In the end, football is an enjoyable hobby for me.
3. My family is close. We help one another. This is why my family is special to me.
4. My job is easy to learn. The tasks are simple. Overall, my work is manageable.
5. My school is large. It has many students. Overall, it is a big and active school.
6. The food in my city is delicious. Many restaurants serve it. Overall, my city has wonderful food.

Explain how each closing sentence returns to the main idea.

10. Controlled practice

Activity A — Identify the closing sentence

1. My city is big. It has tall buildings. Overall, it is a large city.
2. My hobby is reading. I read every night. In the end, reading is my favorite hobby.
3. My family is close. We help one another. This is why my family is special.

Activity B — Choose the connected closing

1. My city is beautiful. → Overall, it is a lovely place. / I eat food.
2. My hobby is football. → In the end, football is fun for me. / My car is tall.
3. My job is easy. → Overall, my work is simple. / I read a book.

Activity C — Restate the idea

Write a closing sentence without copying the topic sentence exactly.

1. My city is beautiful.
2. My hobby is reading.
3. My family is close.

11. Independent practice

Write three closing sentences

Choose three topic-and-support pairs. Write a connected closing sentence for each.

Build a complete paragraph

Write:

1. one topic sentence,
2. one or two supporting sentences,
3. one closing sentence.

Check that the closing restates the main idea and introduces no new topic.

12. Common problems

13. Lesson summary

• A closing sentence is the final part of a paragraph.
• It returns to the controlling idea.
• It should match the supporting details.
• It should not add a new or unrelated idea.
• Restating is stronger than exact repetition.
• Introductory transitions such as overall usually take a comma.

14. Assessment

Complete the 15 practice questions for this lesson. Aim for at least 12 correct answers out of 15.

Exit ticket

Paragraph:

My school is a good place to learn. The teachers are helpful.

Write one closing sentence:

____________________________________________

15. Homework

Write a three- or four-sentence paragraph:

1. one topic sentence,
2. one or two supporting sentences,
3. one closing sentence.

Underline the topic sentence, circle the supporting detail, and box the closing sentence.

Example:

My city is beautiful.
It has green parks and clean streets.
Overall, it is a lovely place to live.