Conclusions and linking sentences; how do I write them? 
For conclusions, I've been taught to 'go backwards'; starting with my 3rd argument, 2nd argument, 1st argument, contention then the "big idea". I don't get this method, can someone please explain it to me (with examples please if not too much of a hassle), or if possible, a better approach. Also, with the linking sentences, do I link it more directly to the prompt or my contention?
Hey,
Hopefully, I can help a bit
You can go backwards or forwards, I would just recommend that it is in an order. I generally go forwards, like I re-state first body paragraph, then second, then third, fourth etc. Conclusions are the opposite of introductions; so in an introduction, you would start broad then narrow in on what you are going to be talking about, in the conclusion start narrow (this is where you re-hash your essay) then build up to the broad part towards the ending.
Here is one of my essays about generic conventions and The Great Gatsby
The Intro:
Set during the post World War 1 economic boom of the 1920’s, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby (1926), is often referred to as a chronicle of the American Dream, exploring a point of the nation’s history when capitalism and economic opportunity for all was at it’s peak. The Great American Dream incorporated the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born, could obtain prosperity and success. Deep-rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the American Dream was the proclamation that ‘all men are equal’, with full right to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ Perhaps one the best works of literature, representing the American Dream is The Great Gatsby. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald contextualizes a gripping antithesis regarding the Great American Dream, through a contrast and disclosure of societies key value systems, including the emphasis upon materialism and commodification. The Great Gatsby juxtaposes characters born in the upper echelons of society, with Myrtle and Gatsby, who attempt to transcend the class boundaries but ultimately become ‘incoherent failures’. The novel displays ‘how dreaming can be tainted by reality, and that if you don’t compromise, you may suffer’(Azar Nifisi). Fitzgerald’s text exposes the key value systems prevalent within society through an adaption of generic conventions, reflecting the misery of a modern capitalist society.
The essay question was
Examine the ways in which writers shape and adapt generic conventions to reflect and expose particular value systems. In your response, you must make reference to at least one literary text. So I start out just talking about the novel, where it was set, and just establish the context of the value system I'm going to talk about...It is only at the very ending sentence that I introduce the idea of generic conventions. So start out broad, give the reader some background. Always remember that your essay and more importantly the into should be structured in a way that someone who has never read the book can understand it...so your intro needs a lot of context...
then the conclusion for it was:
Fitzgerald exposes, through an accentuation of the generic conventions of characterisation, language, setting and dialogue; that American society within the 20th century was manifested with the value system of commodification, driven by the want for a materialistic lifestyle. Fitzgerald highlights this through a ridicule of the values of the American Dream and the resultant effects upon those who followed its incorporated concepts. Both Myrtle and Gatsby, the two characters’ striving for the attainment of the American dream suffered the severe consequence of death. In the end, Gatsby never attains ‘the green light, and the orgastic future’, despite believing in it even when it ‘eluded’ and ‘receded before [him]’. Thus, through the medium of The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald reflects upon the American dream as unattainable and an empty promise of happiness. Despite this, society within and beyond the 20th century, places great emphasis upon materialistic wealth and commodification, a value system that is to this day, timeless. ‘That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you are not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.’ (Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald).
With this, unlike the intro, I went straight into what was being discussed in the essay and addressed the question. I really think the topic sentence of your introduction needs to address the question and answer it. So I re-stated all of the generic conventions that I discussed. Then I restate my thesis statement/essay question...and gradually build up to a really broad idea...going from talking about one text and at the end getting a quote upon literary texts as a whole from the author
That is kind of what they mean by go backwards or forwards, the first generic convention I mention in my conclusion was characterisation, which was my first body paragraph. Then the second I mention was language, which was my second body paragraph...and so on and so forth...
With linking sentences, I would say both...Your contention is pretty much the prompt isn't in..just a disagreement. Since you are arguing your contention, I would focus more on that. So really the last thing you should be leaving your audience with is what you are arguing
So the thesis statement
I hope this helped
If not, just let me know and I'll expand some more
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