How To Close An Essay About Yourself

How to Close Your Essay About Yourself: A Guide to Powerful Conclusions

Concluding an essay about yourself can feel daunting. You've spent time crafting the perfect introduction, meticulously detailing your experiences, and showcasing your unique personality. Now, how do you bring it all together in a way that leaves a lasting impression? This isn't just about summarizing; it's about creating a powerful and memorable finish that reinforces your central message and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of who you are. This comprehensive guide will explore various techniques for crafting a compelling conclusion to your self-reflective essay, helping you effectively communicate your essence and aspirations.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Conclusion

Before diving into specific strategies, it's crucial to understand the purpose of your essay conclusion. It’s not merely a rehashing of what you've already written. Instead, a strong conclusion serves several key functions:

Summarizing Key Points: Briefly reiterate the most important aspects of your essay, highlighting the main themes and experiences you've shared. This provides a cohesive overview for the reader.
Reinforcing Your Central Message: Drive home the core message or takeaway you want the reader to remember about you. What is the overall impression you want to leave?
Offering a Sense of Closure: Provide a satisfying conclusion to your narrative, leaving the reader with a sense of completion and understanding.
Looking Towards the Future: Depending on the context, you might briefly touch upon your future aspirations or goals, showcasing your ambition and forward-thinking approach.
Leaving a Lasting Impression: The final sentence or paragraph should be memorable and impactful, leaving the reader with a powerful takeaway about your personality and potential.

Effective Strategies for Closing Your "About Me" Essay

There are numerous ways to craft a compelling conclusion. Let's explore several effective strategies, categorized for clarity:

1. The Reflective Conclusion:

This approach encourages introspection and self-awareness. You reflect on your journey, highlighting key learnings and growth. It emphasizes personal development and the lessons you've learned from your experiences.

Example: "Looking back on my journey, from my early struggles with [specific challenge] to my recent successes in [specific achievement], I've learned the importance of resilience and perseverance. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, someone who embraces challenges and strives for continuous growth."

2. The Forward-Looking Conclusion:

This strategy focuses on future aspirations and goals. You articulate your ambitions and how your past experiences have prepared you for future challenges. This showcases your ambition and drive.

Example: "My experiences in [field of study/work] have instilled in me a deep passion for [specific area]. I am eager to apply my skills and knowledge to [future goals], contributing to [specific field/community]. I am confident that my past experiences have equipped me with the necessary tools to achieve my aspirations."

3. The Thematic Conclusion:

This approach ties all the different aspects of your essay together through a unifying theme. Identify a central idea or recurring motif that connects your experiences and use this theme to create a cohesive and powerful conclusion.

Example: "Throughout my life, the theme of [central theme, e.g., overcoming adversity, pursuing knowledge] has been a constant thread. From my early childhood experiences to my current endeavors, I've consistently sought to [action related to the theme]. This persistent drive has shaped my character and will continue to guide my future actions."

4. The Anecdotal Conclusion:

This technique utilizes a brief anecdote or story to reinforce your central message or leave a lasting impression. Choose a short, impactful story that summarizes your personality or a crucial lesson learned.

Example: "I remember vividly the time I [brief anecdote demonstrating a key personality trait or lesson learned]. That experience taught me the importance of [key lesson], a principle that continues to guide my decisions and actions to this day."

5. The Call to Action Conclusion (Use Sparingly):

While not always appropriate for a personal essay, a call to action can be effective if the essay aims to inspire or motivate the reader. However, use this sparingly and only if it genuinely aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your essay.

Example: (Use cautiously, only in specific contexts): "My journey has shown me the power of [specific action/belief]. I encourage you to embrace [specific action/belief] and discover its transformative potential in your own life."

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Your Conclusion

To ensure your conclusion is effective, avoid these common pitfalls:

Simply summarizing: Avoid merely restating what you've already written. Instead, synthesize your points and offer new insights.
Introducing new information: Don't introduce new ideas or arguments in your conclusion. Stick to summarizing and reinforcing what's already been discussed.
Being too lengthy or too brief: Strive for a balance. Your conclusion should be concise yet comprehensive enough to leave a lasting impression.
Using clichés or generic statements: Avoid overused phrases and clichés. Express yourself authentically and use specific language.
Ending abruptly: Ensure a smooth transition from the body of your essay to the conclusion, avoiding a jarring or abrupt ending.

Structuring Your Conclusion: From Paragraph to Sentence

A well-structured conclusion typically comprises several parts, working together to create a coherent and impactful ending:

Transition Sentence: Begin with a sentence that smoothly transitions from the body of your essay to the conclusion. This could be a summarizing phrase, a reflective statement, or a thematic link.
Summary of Main Points (Brief): Concisely reiterate the key takeaways from your essay, highlighting the most important themes or experiences.
Reinforcement of Central Message: Clearly state the main message or takeaway you want the reader to remember. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression.
Forward-Looking Statement (Optional): Depending on the context, you can briefly discuss your future aspirations or goals, showcasing your ambition and vision.
Concluding Sentence: End with a powerful and memorable sentence that summarizes your overall message and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of who you are. This sentence should be impactful and well-crafted.

Examples of Strong Concluding Sentences:

"Ultimately, my experiences have taught me the value of [key value], a lesson I will carry with me throughout my life."
"Looking ahead, I am excited to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, armed with the knowledge and resilience I've gained along the way."
"Through it all, I have discovered that my greatest strength lies in my ability to [key strength], a trait that will continue to shape my journey."
"The path ahead may be uncertain, but I approach it with unwavering optimism and a deep understanding of myself and my capabilities."
"My story is a testament to the power of [key value], a journey that has shaped me into the person I am today and will continue to influence my future."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long should my conclusion be? A: The length of your conclusion should be proportionate to the overall length of your essay. Aim for a length that feels balanced and complete, typically one to two paragraphs.
Q: Can I use the same words or phrases from my introduction in my conclusion? A: While you can echo certain key themes or ideas, avoid using the exact same phrases. Aim for variations and a more mature expression of your initial thoughts.
Q: What if I'm struggling to find a strong concluding sentence? A: Try brainstorming different options, reflecting on your key takeaways, and experimenting with different sentence structures. Consider seeking feedback from a friend or mentor.
Q: Is it okay to be emotional in my conclusion? A: Absolutely! Authenticity is key. If the essay calls for emotional expression, allow yourself to be vulnerable and connect with the reader on a deeper level.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of the Personal Essay Conclusion

Crafting a powerful conclusion to your "about me" essay is crucial for leaving a lasting impression. By utilizing the strategies outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a compelling and memorable end to your personal narrative. Remember, your conclusion is your final opportunity to showcase your personality, insights, and aspirations. Invest the time and effort to craft a conclusion that reflects your unique essence and leaves the reader wanting to learn more. The key is to be authentic, reflective, and focused on leaving a lasting impression. With practice and careful consideration, you can master the art of the personal essay conclusion and effectively communicate your story.