There is an ongoing debate among essay writers and educators about whether it’s more important to start an essay strongly or finish it strongly. Both starting and ending powerfully are certainly valuable techniques, but there are good arguments on both sides as to which is most critical. Let’s examine the key perspectives on starting versus finishing strong in essay writing.
Those who argue for starting strong believe the introduction is critically important for engaging the reader and setting up the overall essay effectively. A weak or unclear introduction runs the risk of losing the reader’s interest and focus before the main points have even been made. The opening paragraph needs to draw the reader in, establish the topic and purpose, and foreshadow what’s to come in a way that makes the reader want to continue. If the introduction lacks compelling elements like a hook, thesis statement, or overview of key points, the reader may fail to understand the significance or direction of the essay.
Supporters of starting strong also point out that first impressions matter. Just as in other contexts, the reader will form initial judgments about the quality, thoughtfulness, and effort of the essay based on the opening. A dull, vague, or disorganized introduction runs the risk of the reader perceiving the entire essay in a negative light before giving it a fair chance. Conversely, a crisp, focused, and engaging opening paragraph leaves the reader with positive expectations and curiosity to learn more. In academic writing especially, where papers may be graded partially based on introductions, making a strong first impression is crucial.
On the other side, proponents of finishing strong counter that conclusions carry more weight. The ending leaves the lasting memory and permits the opportunity to drive home key takeaways in a compelling manner. Even if an introduction was weak, a powerful conclusion can salvage an otherwise decent essay by reminding or convincing the reader of the overall significance. Additionally, readers often skim introductions but are more likely to carefully read and remember conclusions. Finishing on a high note also gives the impression of a well-structured, complete argument even if some deficiencies existed earlier on. Concluding thoughts have disproportionate influence on how readers perceive essays overall.
Supporters of finishing strong also argue that conclusions don’t necessarily depend as much on what came before. Whereas introductions set reader expectations based on what is presented up front, conclusions can stand more independently by summarizing the key points and implications regardless of earlier deficiencies. An evocative conclusion has potential to overcome a somewhat unclear introduction by directly addressing and reinforcing the main ideas. Readers also may excuse minor earlier flaws if the takeaway message or lesson is conveyed powerfully at the ending.
There are good-faith perspectives on both sides, and either approach could potentially work depending on the specific essay, subject matter, and goals. In truth, essay writing often benefits most from attempting to do both – to start powerfully and also finish powerfully. Here are some techniques essayists can use to try and achieve strong openings and closings:
For introductions:
Establish context and significance up front with a compelling opening sentence
Clearly state the thesis/argument in the first paragraph
Foreshadow key supporting points and how they will be addressed
Pose an engaging question or scenario to draw the reader in
Use vivid writing and precise word choice
For conclusions:
Succinctly reiterate the thesis and how it was supported
Emphasize main takeaways and implications for the topic
Consider posing a “call to action” or thought-provoking final question
Employ memorable or impactful closing sentences
Avoid merely summarizing and instead crystallize key insights
Overall, while either starting or ending strongly can boost an essay’s effectiveness on their own, doing both is likely to give the essay its strongest chance of success. Having a crisp, focused introduction leaves the reader eager to learn more, whereas a compelling conclusion potentially allows overcoming minor introduction deficiencies by clearly communicating major insights. The wise essayist strives for excellence in both realms to maximize the essay’s ability to inform, engage and persuade the reader from start to finish. With practice and experience, these bookend techniques of starting and finishing powerfully can be mastered for superior essay writing.
There are compelling viewpoints on both sides of this debate – whether starting or finishing strongly matters most in essay writing. Ultimately, aiming to achieve both a potent opening and closing is likely the soundest approach, since either alone can boost an essay but both working in tandem have the best chance of fully capturing and keeping the reader’s interest and understanding from introduction to conclusion. With practice of techniques to engage at the beginning and crystallize insights at the end, writers can optimize their essays’ effectiveness at making an impact on readers from start to finish.