Activities

1. Read several narrative conclusions.  Using a checklist, check off the elements in the conclusion. 

2. Read a picture book.  Explain what problems were resolved or what questions were answered in the conclusion.

3. Read several short narrative articles.  Note the elements in the conclusion.

4. Read a given narrative and identify and explain how the author gives a sense of closure.  

5. Given a narrated experience, write a conclusion.
   
   
6. Given a short biography, explain why the conclusion is effective or ineffective.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student reads several narrative conclusions.  Using a checklist, student checks off the elements for each conclusion.  Student correctly identifies the elements in the conclusion.  Student correctly identifies quotes, dialogue, vivid imagery, action, and reflective messages. Conclusion includes several sentences.  Student understands that a conclusion gives a sense of closure.  A sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.   Student understands that a conclusion will often reflect on the larger meaning of the narrative or give a broader, yet relevant message, than what is described in the narrative.  Student understands the message given is not overly specific and can fit most people.  Student understands the message may be directly stated or the reflection may be revealed through a quote, vivid image, dialogue or final action.

 Student uses checklist similar to the following:

___Sense of Closure

___Quote

___Dialogue

___Vivid Image

___Action

___Message for reader was directly stated.

___Message/Reflection for reader came through quote, dialogue, image, action or some other means,  

       but was not directly stated.

2. Student reads a picture book.  Student correctly explains what problems were resolved or what questions were answered in the conclusion.  Student understands a conclusion gives a sense of closure.  A sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.   
   
   
3. Student reads several short narrative articles.  Student correctly notes the elements in the conclusion.   Student should notice narratives conclude in similar ways.  Student should notice:

• Author gives a sense of closure.  A sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.
• Author reflects on the larger meaning of the events or experience in the narrative or gives a broader, yet relevant, message than what is described in the narrative.  This message is not overly specific and can fit most people. 
• Author may use a quote, vivid image, dialogue or final action to reflect the message, or directly state the message.

4. Student closely reads a given narrative.  Student identifies and explains how the author gives a sense of closure through the conclusion.  A sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.   Student correctly identifies specific dialogue, actions, events or images that give closure.  Student correctly explains how the dialogue, actions, events or images give closure. 
   
   
5. Given a narrated experience, student writes a conclusion.   The conclusion should include several sentences and give a sense of closure.  A sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.   Student reflects on the larger meaning of the narrative or gives a broader, yet relevant message, than what is described in the narrative.  The message given is not overly specific and can fit most people.  The message may be directly stated or the reflection may be revealed through a quote, vivid image, dialogue or final action.
   
   
6. Given a short biography, student explains why the conclusion is effective or ineffective.  Student uses multiple sentences to explain thoughts.

• Student comments correctly on the sense of closure or lack of closure.  Student explains thoughts on closure.  Student understands a sense of closure occurs when the reader has a feeling that nothing else needs to happen, conflicts have been resolved, all questions have been answered, and the story is complete.
• Student makes thoughtful comments on the author’s message within the conclusion.  Student notes if the author’s message is directly stated or implied.  Student understands the author reflects on the larger meaning of the events or experiences in the narrative or gives a broader, yet relevant, message than what is described in the narrative.  This message is not overly specific and can fit most people. 
• Student recognizes and comments on the effectiveness of the author’s use of quotes, vivid images, dialogue or final actions within the conclusion. Student comments on the effectiveness of these devices in relaying the overall message.