How to End Your College Essay: Tips and Strategies for Success

Writing a strong conclusion for your college essay can be a daunting task. After spending so much time and effort crafting a compelling introduction and body section, it can be difficult to figure out what to include in your conclusion. However, your essay’s conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see before forming an opinion of the paper as a whole. This makes it especially important to craft a strong and effective conclusion that ties together all of the main points of your essay in an interesting and memorable way.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Essay

The first step in writing a strong conclusion is to understand the purpose of the essay that you are writing. Is your essay meant to inform readers about a particular topic or persuade them to take a particular stance? Understanding the purpose of your essay will help you determine the tone of your conclusion and the type of information that should be included. Once you have established the purpose of your essay, it will be easier to determine the type of conclusion that you should write.

When writing a conclusion, it is important to keep in mind the main points that you have discussed throughout the essay. Make sure to include a summary of the main points that you have discussed, as well as any additional information that you think is important for the reader to know. Additionally, you should include a call to action or a suggestion for further research. This will help to ensure that your conclusion is effective and leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

Crafting a Strong Conclusion

Once you have identified the purpose of your essay, it is time to craft a strong conclusion. Begin by summarizing the main points of your essay and re-emphasizing the main idea that you are trying to convey. Make sure to include any relevant information from your introduction and body sections that needs to be included in your conclusion. Be sure to avoid introducing any new ideas or arguments in your conclusion; instead, focus on summarizing and emphasizing the points that you have already discussed in your paper.

When writing your conclusion, it is important to keep your tone consistent with the rest of your essay. Make sure to use the same language and style that you used throughout the paper. Additionally, be sure to avoid using any cliches or overly dramatic language. Your conclusion should be concise and to the point, and should leave the reader with a clear understanding of your main points.

Using Examples to Make Your Point

In addition to summarizing and re-emphasizing your main points, you can also use examples to make your point in your conclusion. Providing examples from real life or from literature can help to illustrate your arguments and make them more convincing. Examples also help to make complex concepts easier to understand, which can be especially useful when writing a long or complex essay.

When using examples, it is important to make sure that they are relevant to your argument and that they are accurate. If you are using an example from real life, make sure that you have all the facts correct. If you are using an example from literature, make sure that you are citing it correctly. Additionally, make sure that your examples are not too long or too detailed, as this can distract from your main points.

Connecting Your Conclusion to the Introduction

When crafting your conclusion, it is important to ensure that it ties back to the introduction section of your essay. This helps create a sense of balance and flow throughout your paper. Consider revisiting specific ideas or phrases from your introduction in your conclusion, or link the conclusion back to an anecdote or example that you used in the introduction. This will help create a sense of closure for your reader.

In addition, you can use your conclusion to provide a call to action or suggest further research. This can be a great way to leave your reader with something to think about and encourage them to explore the topic further. Additionally, you can use your conclusion to provide a summary of the main points of your essay and reiterate the main argument or thesis statement.

Finalizing Your Essay with a Strong Closing Statement

When writing your conclusion, it is important to end with a strong closing statement. This statement should act as a reminder of the main idea of your essay, as well as a call for action for the reader. This is especially useful for persuasive essays, as it encourages readers to take action on the issue that you have discussed in your paper. Make sure that this closing statement is memorable and impactful, as it will be the last thing that readers remember about your essay.

Proofreading and Editing for Clarity and Coherence

Before submitting your essay, be sure to proofread and edit it for clarity and coherence. Proofreading helps to ensure that there are no typos or grammatical errors in your essay, while editing helps to ensure that everything flows logically and makes sense. Editing also helps to identify any parts of your essay that may need more explanation or further evidence. Taking the time to proofread and edit your essay can make a big difference in its overall quality.

Seeking Feedback from Others

It is always a good idea to seek feedback from others when writing an essay. Ask friends or family members to read over your paper and provide feedback on how it can be improved. Another option is to use an online writing service, which can provide detailed feedback on how you can make your paper stronger.

Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block

If you find yourself stuck when writing your conclusion, there are several strategies that you can use to help overcome writer’s block. One strategy is to take a break from writing. Step away from the paper for an hour or two and come back refreshed with a new perspective. Another strategy is to brainstorm ideas with someone else; talking through ideas with someone else can help give you new insight into how you can approach writing your conclusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Concluding Your Essay

When writing a strong conclusion, it is important to avoid certain mistakes. One common mistake is using cliches or generic phrases, such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up”. These phrases are often overused and can detract from the impact of your essay’s conclusion. Additionally, do not introduce any new arguments or evidence in your conclusion; instead, focus on summarizing and emphasizing the points that you already discussed in your paper.