How To Conclude An Essay About Yourself

How to Conclude an Essay About Yourself: Leaving a Lasting Impression

Concluding an essay about yourself is more than just summarizing what you've already written; it's about leaving a lasting impression and offering a sense of closure. This crucial section provides the final opportunity to connect with the reader and reiterate your key strengths and aspirations. A strong conclusion will leave the reader with a clear understanding of who you are and what you hope to achieve. This article will guide you through crafting a compelling and effective conclusion for your personal essay, regardless of whether it's for a college application, scholarship application, job application, or a personal reflection.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Conclusion

Before diving into the specifics of writing your conclusion, let's clarify its purpose. Your conclusion isn't simply a rehash of your introduction or a summary of your main points. Instead, it should:

• Synthesize your main ideas: Bring together the threads of your narrative, highlighting the key takeaways and demonstrating the interconnectedness of your experiences and achievements.
• Reinforce your central theme: Reiterate the overarching message or central theme of your essay, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your core values and personality.
• Offer a sense of closure: Provide a sense of finality and completeness, leaving the reader with a satisfying and memorable ending.
• Leave a lasting impression: Craft a conclusion that is impactful and memorable, showcasing your personality and leaving the reader wanting to learn more.
• Connect to the future: Briefly hint at your future aspirations and goals, showcasing your ambition and vision.

Strategies for Writing a Powerful Conclusion

There are several effective strategies you can employ to craft a compelling conclusion for your personal essay. Let's explore some of the most impactful approaches:

1. The "So What?" Approach: This approach focuses on answering the implicit question of "So what?" After reading your essay, the reader should understand the significance of your experiences and how they have shaped you into the person you are today. This strategy involves reflecting on the impact of your experiences and demonstrating how they have contributed to your personal growth and development. For example, if your essay discusses overcoming a challenge, your conclusion could explain how this experience has built your resilience and problem-solving skills.

2. The "Looking Forward" Approach: This approach focuses on your future aspirations and goals. It's an excellent strategy for showcasing your ambition and vision. However, avoid simply listing your future plans. Instead, connect your future goals to your past experiences and demonstrate how your past has prepared you for future challenges. This approach showcases your self-awareness and planning skills.

3. The "Call to Action" Approach (Use Sparingly): While not always appropriate for a personal essay, a subtle call to action can be effective in certain contexts. For example, if your essay focuses on a social issue, you could conclude with a call for greater awareness or action. However, be mindful not to make your conclusion feel preachy or overly assertive.

4. The "Circular Conclusion" Approach: This elegant technique subtly mirrors your introduction, creating a sense of satisfying completion. You can subtly allude to an anecdote, image, or idea from your introduction, demonstrating the growth and development you've undergone. It creates a cohesive and memorable reading experience.

5. The "Reflective Conclusion" Approach: This approach encourages introspection and self-reflection. Instead of focusing solely on achievements, you delve into your inner thoughts, feelings, and insights gained throughout your experiences. This strategy reveals emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common mistakes can weaken your conclusion, diminishing the impact of your entire essay. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Simply summarizing: Rehashing the main points without adding new insights or perspectives will leave the reader feeling unfulfilled.
• Introducing new information: Avoid introducing entirely new information or arguments in your conclusion. Keep it concise and focused on the established themes.
• Being overly apologetic: Don't undermine your accomplishments or downplay your strengths. Maintain a confident and assertive tone.
• Using clichés: Avoid overused phrases and clichés that weaken the impact of your conclusion. Strive for originality and authenticity.
• Ending abruptly: A weak or abrupt ending can leave a negative impression. Take your time to craft a conclusion that leaves a lasting impact.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Powerful Conclusion

Let's break down the process of writing a compelling conclusion into manageable steps:

Step 1: Review Your Essay: Before writing your conclusion, thoroughly review your entire essay. Identify your main points, central theme, and key takeaways.

Step 2: Choose a Strategy: Select the conclusion strategy that best suits your essay's tone and purpose. Consider the overall message you want to leave with the reader.

Step 3: Synthesize Your Ideas: Craft a brief summary that synthesizes your main points, highlighting their interconnectedness and significance. Avoid simply listing your accomplishments. Instead, emphasize the growth, development, and lessons learned.

Step 4: Reinforce Your Central Theme: Reiterate the overarching message or central theme of your essay, highlighting your key values, personality traits, and aspirations.

Step 5: Offer a Sense of Closure: Provide a sense of finality and completeness. Use transitional words and phrases to smoothly connect your concluding sentences.

Step 6: Leave a Lasting Impression: Craft a conclusion that is memorable and impactful. Use vivid language, compelling imagery, or a thought-provoking statement to leave a lasting impression.

Step 7: Proofread and Edit: Carefully proofread and edit your conclusion to ensure clarity, accuracy, and grammatical correctness.

Examples of Effective Conclusions

Let's examine a few examples illustrating different approaches to crafting an effective conclusion:

Example 1 (Looking Forward): "My experiences volunteering at the local animal shelter, navigating the challenges of my high school debate team, and overcoming my fear of public speaking have not only shaped my character but also fueled my ambition to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I am eager to apply my dedication, compassion, and newly acquired communication skills to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and contribute to the veterinary community."

Example 2 (Reflective Conclusion): "Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my greatest strength lies not in my academic achievements, but in my unwavering ability to adapt and learn from setbacks. The struggles I've faced have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of perseverance. I embrace future challenges with the confidence that I can learn and grow from every experience."

Example 3 (Circular Conclusion): "Returning to my initial thoughts on the transformative power of mentorship, I now understand that the journey of self-discovery is not a solitary one. The guidance and support of my mentors have been instrumental in helping me identify my passions, overcome obstacles, and develop into the confident and capable individual I am today. I am profoundly grateful for their influence and eager to pay it forward."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long should my conclusion be?

A: The length of your conclusion should be proportional to the length of your essay. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a conclusion that is roughly 10-15% of the overall essay length.

Q: Can I use the same words or phrases from my introduction in my conclusion?

A: While you can subtly allude to ideas from your introduction, avoid using the exact same words or phrases. The goal is to create a sense of closure, not repetition.

Q: What if I'm struggling to write my conclusion?

A: Take a break and come back to it later. Sometimes, stepping away for a while can provide a fresh perspective. You can also brainstorm ideas with a friend or mentor.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of the Personal Essay Conclusion

Crafting a compelling conclusion for your personal essay is a crucial step in making a lasting impact on your reader. By employing the strategies and avoiding the common mistakes outlined in this article, you can create a conclusion that effectively synthesizes your main ideas, reinforces your central theme, and leaves a lasting impression. Remember, your conclusion is the final opportunity to showcase your personality, strengths, and aspirations. Make it count!