I’m working on an essay where I have to talk about myself, and I’m struggling with how to wrap it up effectively. What are some good strategies for ending a personal essay that ties everything together smoothly and leaves a lasting impression? Are there particular techniques for making the conclusion resonate with the readers? Any tips would be really appreciated!
Certainly! Ensuring your essay ends on a strong note is crucial to leaving a lasting impact on your readers. One effective way to approach this is to revisit your introduction. If there was a particular story, theme, or question that you introduced your essay with, refer back to it in your conclusion. This forms a 'loop' in your essay, bringing your narrative full circle.
Another approach could be using the "show, don't tell" strategy. Instead of summarizing your key points or directly stating the insights you want the reader to have, use a story or experience to display these insights implicitly. This might leave a stronger impact as it invites the reader to draw the conclusions themselves, making the journey feel more personal and engaging.
Lastly, when wrapping up your essay about yourself, it can be beneficial to end on a forward-looking note. Discuss your hopes, dreams, or plans for the future prompted by the experiences or perspectives you've shared in the essay. This gives the reader a sense of your future trajectory and desirability as a candidate, student, or individual.
Keep in mind, however, that the most effective conclusion will vary based on the content of your essay and your writing style. The conclusion should feel natural, not forced. Thus, it is important to experiment with different methods to see what works best for your particular essay.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.