What is a Conclusion Indicator?

S2-SA5-0072

Grade Level:

Class 6

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

A conclusion indicator is a word or phrase that tells you that the sentence or paragraph you are reading is about to present a final thought, summary, or decision. It signals that the main point or result is being given. These words help you identify the 'what's next' or 'so what' part of an argument or explanation.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your mom says, 'You finished all your homework, and you helped clean the room. Therefore, you can play video games now.' Here, 'Therefore' is the conclusion indicator, showing that playing video games is the result of your actions.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the conclusion indicator in this sentence: 'The price of petrol has increased, and traffic jams are common. As a result, many people are now choosing to use public transport.'

1. Read the sentence carefully: 'The price of petrol has increased, and traffic jams are common. As a result, many people are now choosing to use public transport.'
---2. Identify the different parts of the sentence. The first part gives reasons: 'The price of petrol has increased, and traffic jams are common.'
---3. The second part gives an outcome or decision: 'many people are now choosing to use public transport.'
---4. Look for the word or phrase that connects the reasons to the outcome.
---5. The phrase 'As a result' clearly links the increase in petrol price and traffic jams to the choice of public transport.
---6. This phrase tells us that what follows is the conclusion or consequence.
---Answer: The conclusion indicator is 'As a result'.

Why It Matters

Understanding conclusion indicators helps you grasp the main message quickly, whether you're reading a newspaper or a story. It's crucial for lawyers building a case, journalists writing reports, and even scientists explaining their findings. It helps you think logically and communicate clearly in any career.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing a conclusion indicator with a reason indicator (like 'because' or 'since'). | CORRECTION: Reason indicators tell you WHY something happened, while conclusion indicators tell you WHAT happened or WHAT is decided.

MISTAKE: Thinking every sentence with 'and' or 'but' has a conclusion. | CORRECTION: Not all connecting words are conclusion indicators. Look for words that specifically signal a final point, summary, or outcome.

MISTAKE: Ignoring conclusion indicators and missing the main point of a paragraph. | CORRECTION: Always pay attention to words like 'therefore,' 'thus,' 'in conclusion,' etc., as they highlight the most important takeaway.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Identify the conclusion indicator: 'It rained heavily all night. Consequently, the cricket match was cancelled.' | ANSWER: Consequently

QUESTION: Which word signals a conclusion? 'You studied hard for your exams, and you practiced all the sums. Therefore, your good marks are well-deserved.' | ANSWER: Therefore

QUESTION: Read the paragraph and find the conclusion indicator: 'The shop was out of milk, and the bread had finished. Moreover, the vegetables were not fresh. For these reasons, my mother decided to go to a different store.' | ANSWER: For these reasons

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these is NOT a conclusion indicator?

In conclusion

Because

Therefore

As a result

The Correct Answer Is:

Because' tells you the reason for something, not the conclusion. 'In conclusion,' 'Therefore,' and 'As a result' all introduce a final point or outcome.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you read news articles about government policies, like a new rule for mobile data usage, you'll often see conclusion indicators. For example, a report might say, 'The number of users increased significantly. Therefore, the company decided to launch a new, cheaper data plan.' This helps you understand the final decision made by the company.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

INDICATOR: A sign or signal that shows something | CONCLUSION: The end or final part of something; a judgment or decision reached | CONSEQUENCE: A result or effect of an action or condition | THEREFORE: For that reason; consequently

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand conclusion indicators, you can learn about 'reason indicators' and 'transition words.' These will help you connect ideas even better and write more clearly, making your essays and answers shine!