<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>Many essays I've read have had one central problem. The intro is solid and the body is great, but the conclusion flat out sucks. Several conclusions are of this type:</p>
<p>"Due to my participation in _____ activity, I developed a sense of ____<strong><em>, and developed the quality of _</em></strong><strong><em>. This will be with me forever and I intend to share _</em></strong> quality with others at the great university of ____________."</p>
<p>There are some wonderful essays that end in the following way. I feel this type of ending just sucks the life out of your paper. This is not a SAT essay where you just write "In conclusion, <strong><em>, _</em></strong><em>, and _</em>_ are integral to _____ argument." That's not what a conclusion is.</p>
<p>A conclusion must build upon the essay and seal the deal. If your body was the climb up a mountain, then your conclusion must be the view at the peak. You wouldn't climb up a mountain just to go down and write about what it looks like from the base, would you? Similarly, you must BUILD upon what you've already written.</p>
<p>Get out of the mindset of "recapping". A recap is something done at the beginning of television shows so you remember what happened. Notice how every TV show ending makes you want to see more. Similarly, your essay conclusion must make the reader want to know more about you.</p>
<p>"But An0maly, how can I write such a conclusion?" you ask. Well, here you go:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The conclusion is part of your essay. It is not distinct. If you're using an analogy, don't abruptly end it and say "alright, we're done. Time to recap". Keep it going and make the reader feel enlightened. </p></li>
<li><p>Use questions, not theses. A powerful ending is a question. It's used often, but the content is always different, so don't worry about triteness. A question will get your reader thinking about what you wrote or feel a revelation.</p></li>
<li><p>Loop back. Refer to the beginning of your essay. Come full circle. Make the context fit the scene. It provides a sense of accomplishment to the reader because he or she now understands the whole picture.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>But above all, this is the most important advice:</p>
<p>Make it heartfelt. </p>
<p>So many writers write an intense body, and just revert to "SAT Mode" for the conclusion. In fact, make "SAT Mode" a popular phrase. If your buddies write a banal conclusion, tell them they're in SAT Mode and make them get out. </p>
<p>SAT Mode is the worst mode. You have to write with passion, energy, and vigor. Eventually you will understand what it means for writing to have vitality. You can have a lively body and a dead conclusion. But, if you truly use the energy within and write a sincere and heartfelt conclusion, then your essay will truly have vitality.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>