Welcome to this installment of our series on crafting a publishable personal essay! You’ve chosen a subject and created an engaging opening, and now it’s time to wrap up your essay with a satisfying conclusion and bring your draft to its ultimate form. Expect several rounds of broad revisions and then more rounds of micro-revisions before you move to polishing and editing as you finish your personal essay.

1. Crafting a Memorable Ending to Your Personal Essay

Just as your opening was important, your ending should leave a lasting impression. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Reflect on Your Thesis:

  Revisit the thesis statement you introduced at the beginning. How has your essay journey reinforced or challenged this idea? Use this reflection to guide your closing thoughts.

• Circling Back:

  Return to an image, anecdote, or theme mentioned in the opening. This creates a sense of completion and ties the essay together.

• Open-Ended Questions: Leave readers thinking by posing a question that invites them to reflect on the essay’s themes in their own lives.

• Or End Your Personal Essay On An Action Or Sensory Event.

Remember E.B. White’s shiver in Once More to The Lake?

2. Moving from Draft to Polished Essay with a Satisfying Conclusion

Once you’ve written your first draft, the hard work begins: refining and polishing your essay. Or perhaps you are like me. I love the revision. Getting that first draft down can be an act of gritty determination for me. Revising and polishing are fun.

• Revise for Clarity:

  Read through your draft and ensure your ideas are communicated clearly. Trim any unnecessary details that don’t contribute to your central message.

• Seek Feedback:

  Share your essay with friends, writing groups, or mentors. Constructive feedback can provide fresh perspectives and help you identify areas for improvement.

• Edit for Style:

Pay attention to your writing style. Are you using vivid language, varied sentence structure, and appropriate tone? Edit sentences that feel awkward or verbose. Do a check for to-be verbs. If you see an excess, rewrite those sentences. Is your writing fresh and original?

• Proofread Thoroughly:

  Typos and grammar errors can distract readers. Proofread your essay multiple times or consider using grammar-checking tools.

3. Realizing Your Vision

As you revise and edit, keep your original vision for the essay in mind. Don’t be afraid to make bold changes if they align with your essay’s purpose. Remember, writing is a process, and it’s okay to go through multiple drafts before achieving the desired result.

4. Celebrate and Submit

Once your essay is polished and refined, take a moment to celebrate your achievement! You’ve poured your heart and creativity into crafting a meaningful piece.

If your goal is publication, review the submission guidelines of the platforms you identified earlier. Finish your personal essay and then submit.  Refine your work for another market and resubmit. Rejections are normal.  If your essay is resonant and the writing sings, it will find an audience if you don't give up.