7 Effective Ways to End an Essay
Every writer knows that the essay conclusion is just as important as the introduction. Whether you’ve written a persuasive piece or a research-based essay, the conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader.
In this article, we’ll explore 7 ways to end an essay that will help you craft a powerful conclusion that engages and motivates your reader.
Summarize the Main Points
Summarizing the main points is a traditional way to end your essay. It helps to reinforce your thesis and show the reader that you’ve successfully supported your argument. To summarize effectively, review your main arguments and briefly restate them using concise language.
For instance, if your essay was about the benefits of exercise, you could summarize your main points by reminding your reader about the importance of regular exercise, the physical benefits of being active, and the mental health benefits.
Summarizing main points is an effective way to reinforce your argument, remind the reader of the importance of your message, and leave a lasting impression.
End with a Question
Ending your essay with an open-ended question can be a very effective way to engage your reader and prompt them to think about the themes or issues you’ve raised. Ask a question that inspires contemplation, curiosity, or even debate.
For example, if your essay was about the negative impacts of social media on society, you could end with a question like “What steps can we take to mitigate the negative effects of social media while still enjoying the benefits of connectivity?”
This kind of ending will encourage the reader to reflect on the issues raised in your essay, and may even prompt them to continue researching or thinking further about the topic.
Call to Action
A call-to-action is a clear, concise statement that prompts the reader to take some kind of action. The action you suggest could be asking the reader to try an idea you’ve proposed, seek out additional information, or take some kind of social or personal action.
For example, if your essay was about promoting environmentally-friendly behaviour, you could end with the statement “We all have the power to make a difference. Start by reducing your carbon footprint and encouraging others to do the same.” This type of statement not only reinforces your essay’s message but urges the reader to take action.
Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch to the end of your essay can be a great way to make the reader feel emotionally attached to the message and story you’ve shared. This could include sharing a personal anecdote that relates to the topic you’ve written about, or even just expressing your own feelings on the issue at hand.
For instance, if your essay was about mental health awareness, you could end with a personal story about someone who’s struggled with a mental health condition and how their journey has impacted you. This will increase the emotional weight of your essay and demonstrate your empathy with your audience.
Make a Prediction
Making a prediction about the future can be an effective way to end an essay that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Use data or descriptive language to paint a picture of what the future might look like if the issue discussed in your essay continues to be ignored or persists. This will give the reader something to think about beyond the confines of the essay itself.
For example, if your essay was about emerging technologies, you could end with a statement like “It’s difficult to predict everything that technology will bring us in the future, but one thing’s for sure – it will continue to change the world in more ways than we can currently imagine.”
Provide a Solution
Providing a solution to the problem(s) discussed in your essay is a great way to provide a sense of closure and demonstrate your expertise on the issue. Consider summarizing your solution or solutions, provide clear guidance on what the reader can do to help, or even offer a personal commitment to taking action yourself. This can be an effective way to leave the reader with a sense of hope and optimism.
For instance, if your essay was about food waste and its impact on the environment, you could end with a statement like “By composting your organic waste and shopping mindfully, you can directly help reduce food waste and its negative impact on the environment. Commit to making these small changes to your lifestyle today.”
Add a Quote
Ending an essay with a quote can be impactful and create a lasting impression on the reader. A powerful quote can reinforce the central message of your essay, add authority or show you’ve researched the topic deeply, or highlight the perspectives of experts on the issue discussed in your essay.
For example, if your essay was about leadership, you could end with the famous quote from John C. Maxwell, “A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” This kind of quote can reinforce the idea that leadership is about humility and taking responsibility.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve learned about 7 effective ways to end an essay. Summarizing main points, asking an open-ended question, providing a call-to-action, adding a personal touch, making a prediction, providing a solution, or adding a quote can all be powerful ways to end an essay. Remember that an effective conclusion can leave a lasting impression on the reader and help reinforce the central message of your essay.
So, next time you finish an essay, consider trying out some of these techniques to leave a memorable impact that inspires your reader to think, act, or engage.
