How to Close a College Essay: Tips and Strategies for a Captivating Conclusion

Writing a college essay is an art that requires not just a flow of words but also a strategic approach to craft a compelling narrative. Among the most crucial parts of this narrative is the ending, which often frames the overall impression left on the reader’s mind. Closing a college essay well means tying up loose ends, summarizing key points, and leaving the reader with a lasting impact. Here are some tips and strategies to help you achieve a captivating conclusion.

1. Reflect and Reiterate
The concluding paragraph should reflect on the main points you have made throughout the essay. It’s a good idea to restate your central idea or thesis, drawing from the main points you made earlier. Ensure that you highlight key points, weaving them together for a coherent closure.

2. Use Transition Words and Phrases
Using transition words like ‘in conclusion’, ‘ultimately’, ‘hence’, ‘therefore’, etc., helps signal to the reader that they are reaching the end of the essay. These words help smoothly guide readers through your thoughts and ideas.

3. Link to Your Personal Experience
If your essay has a personal narrative, it’s always powerful to close with a personal reflection or an experience that has impacted you. Linking back to personal stories or perspectives can help bring depth and authenticity to your writing.

4. Be Concise and Clear
While you might want to share multiple things in your conclusion, it’s essential to be concise and clear about what you want to emphasize. Avoid adding new information or ideas that are not directly related to your central argument or thesis.

5. Show Growth and Closure
The final part of your essay should demonstrate growth in understanding or awareness of a subject or situation. It’s an opportunity to show how your perspective has changed due to your college experiences or due to research for your essay topic. Closure can be achieved by summarizing what you have learned, what your outlook is on the subject, or how you plan to apply what you have learned in the future.

6. End with a Bang
Your conclusion should leave a lasting impact on the reader. It could be through a powerful quote, a thought-provoking question, or a final observation that ties back to your thesis in a profound way. Ensure that your concluding statement is memorable and resonates with readers even after they finish reading your essay.

Remember, effective conclusions are not just about summing up what you have written but about leaving a lasting impact on your reader’s mind. Practice writing different conclusions and review them with peers or teachers for feedback until you find one that truly captures the essence of your writing and leaves readers wanting more.

Questions:

1. What are some effective ways to summarize key points in the conclusion of a college essay?
2. How can personal experience be used effectively in the conclusion of an essay?
3. What transition words or phrases are commonly used in essay conclusions? Give examples of their usage.
4. What does it mean to “show growth and closure” in an essay conclusion? Provide an example from your own writing experience if possible.
5. How can you ensure that your conclusion leaves a lasting impact on readers? What are some strategies you would recommend?