Considering all of your evidence and examples, what common thread or theme do you notice about your evidence?
What is the greater significance of that common thread or theme?
What key conclusion or impression do you most want your reader to leave with?
Extend
How does this connection go beyond your topic and extend to the real world?
When writing about literature, consider discussing a connection to a universal theme--some larger truth about human experience which is revealed by the work.
In essence, what is the big picture you’re looking at as you write your paper?
Echo
This is the hook of the conclusion.
The compelling thought or question you leave your reader to ponder because the content of your essay drew them to think deeply!
A sample
REVIEW: While Equality desired to have an ego, he lived in a controlling, tyrannical society that squelched any individualism the citizens had.
CONNECT: Equality desired to learn, yet he became a Street Sweeper, Equality desired to love and have friends, yet he was told he could prefer no man above others. And Equality wish to have an ego, to know who he was as a man, yet to do that he had to leave the society and live on his own.
EXTEND: Ayn Rand’s intention in writing Anthem was to show free citizens, like those of us who live in America, to question practices that may take our ego from us and to always question the laws and norms of society around us.
