Academic Writer
academic writer: organization: conclusions: recommendations
Recommendations
If you are writing a report with a practical
application, you will probably want to make a recommendation in the concluding
paragraph. This might either be based on your own research, or result from conclusions you
have made after sampling secondary source material.
The tone of your recommendation will depend on the quality of the evidence you have
provided and the power of your argument. It may be a
firm conclusion containing calls for action (Example1). However, you
might decide to use a more tentative tone (Example 2) or a qualified conclusion (Example3) .
EXAMPLE 1 Style note: A firm conclusion containing calls for action. Note the way
the writer expands the focus from the UK Government to the wider 'We have a responsibility to future generations...'
| The aim of government policy should be to support the UK mineral extraction industry in all practical ways. The UK government must engage in the problems of the industry. It must be aware of the issues put before it by the industry and must invest in and develop the outstanding work of the British Geological Survey, the world leaders in their field. Minerals and metals of all kinds are as critical to industry and commerce as they have ever been and the problems that surround their supply will remain with us for the foreseeable future. We have a responsibility to future generations to ensure that the materials that underpin all sectors of the economy are available for their use. |
EXAMPLE 2 Style note: A tentative conclusion ('...in the light of our experience, we feel that...')
| The development of a system for the
management of computer-based educational resources in a self-access language learning
environment Any small-scale system, however well-planned, that attempts to manage a complex set of variables will always be in a state of development with lessons constantly being learned as a result of feedback from the various users and unforeseen technical problems and developments. However, in the light of our experience, we feel that clear planning at all levels and involving as many of the intended users as possible is essential. Without this, a complex, difficult operation becomes unmanageable. |
EXAMPLE 3
Style note: A qualified conclusion Note the way in which the writer steps back from making a strong conclusion...
'we have described the potential benefits of evaluating written work by using automatic writing applications ...' (opening point - note the use of 'potential' which suggests that they are not unqualified benefits)
'Despite the advantages of such methods, what we are advocating is not total automation...' (qualifying point)
'We believe the automated method should be supplemented by specific comments with examples.' (moderate conclusion)
| In this paper, we have described the potential benefits of evaluating written work by using automatic writing applications. Such evaluations would normally not be feasible for large classes unless the instructors were provided with considerable help from well-trained teaching assistants. However, by using automatic writing applications, such evaluations do become feasible for large class sizes because much of the marking is eliminated. Despite the advantages of such methods, what we are advocating is not total automation of the evaluations. We believe the automated method should be supplemented by specific comments with examples. These would be edited by the instructors to ensure that they address the individual needs of the writers. |
Find about other types of Conclusions
Academic Writer 2000