Ending a descriptive writing essay in a purposeful and impactful way is important to leave the reader with a strong impression of your writing. While beginnings are crucial to grab attention and set the scene, endings play a significant role in tying everything together and leaving the reader with a lasting thought. A solid conclusion brings closure, emphasizes key elements, and leaves readers feeling satisfied.
The conclusion should not simply restate the introduction or summarize what was already described. Repetition should be avoided at all costs in descriptive writing. Instead, effort should be made to tie details and impressions from the body paragraphs together in a cohesive way at the end. Reflecting on how the descriptive elements made the reader feel is effective. You can reference back to specific sensory details that stood out and their importance or symbolism. Pulling the theme or overall message to the surface is an impactful way to guide readers to take something meaningful from the piece.
Some concluding techniques to consider for descriptive writing essays include calling back a memorable detail from earlier and explaining its significance, posing a thought-provoking question for the reader to consider, making a prediction about the future of the subject, sharing how the subject made you feel and left you thinking, connecting back to the hook from the introduction in a purposeful way, or challenging the reader’s perspective. Any of these approaches can be effective if done sincerely and tied meaningfully to overall impressions and insights gained from the descriptive writing.
Adding brevity and style to the conclusion is important. Being concise allows ending on a powerful note without dragging on or over-explaining. Vivid, lyrical language pulls the sensory threads together beautifully. For example, you could tie together impressions of a place by saying “As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the rolling hills in burnt orange light, I was left with an overwhelming sense of calm and belonging – this place had undoubtedly left its mark.” Attention to word choice and rhythm leaves readers with a satisfying listening experience at the close.
Specifically relating conclusions back to the hook or thesis with full closure is ideal. For example, an essay hook about observing fall foliage could conclude by calling back the observation angle but reflecting on deeper lessons learned – “While I began simply taking in the spectacular colors from afar, being amidst the blazing trees revealed nature’s quiet way of preparing for what’s to come and accepting life’s changes with relentless beauty.” Full circle moments provide resolution.
Self-reflection can also bring impact. Sharing how drafting the piece changed your perspective offers insight. For instance, an essay exploring a neighborhood through sounds and sights may conclude “Lifting my eyes above surface-level impressions allowed me to better understand this place and feel more connected to its rhythm of life. Perhaps we could all benefit from slowing down to savor our surroundings with an open mind and heart.” Personal growth adds profundity.
Essays comparing two sensory experiences may conclude by emphasizing their similarities instead of differences. For example, contrasting a bustling city and serene forest could end by saying, “Though vastly different on the surface, both places spoke to humanity’s shared need for stimulation and sanctuary. Perhaps in acknowledging life’s paradoxes lies its poetry.” Searching for threads of commonality provides food for thought.
Lengthier descriptive essays with multiple perspectives or time periods may weave conclusions together thematically. For instance, a multi-paragraph reflection on seasons changing through the years could close by pondering cycles and continuity – “As nature transforms itself endlessly yet reliably, it gifts us markers to appreciate impermanence and take comfort that new beginnings inevitably follow all endings.” Complex reflections require finesse to bring cohesion.
No matter the length, format or subject, conclusions should leave readers with resonance rather than questions. Tie all major elements together meaningfully and leave an impact that endures beyond the final period. With practice and attentiveness to closure and theme, conclusions can elevate descriptive writing from observation to revelation and leave readers seeing, feeling and thinking in new ways.