Strong Endings
The last sentence is the last thing markers read before assigning a score. It's your final chance to resonate—to leave them thinking about your ideas long after they finish. This is where good essays become unforgettable ones.
Weak Ending
"And that is why I think recycling is good."
Strong Ending
"Every bottle we toss in the bin is a small vote for the world we want to leave behind."
What Makes an Ending Strong?
Circular Endings
Echo your opening to create a satisfying sense of completion and closure.
Image Endings
End on a vivid, memorable picture that lingers in the reader's mind.
Call-to-Action Endings
Challenge or invite the reader to consider something new.
Question Endings
Leave the reader thinking with a powerful rhetorical question.
Reflection Endings
Zoom out to reveal a universal truth or deeper meaning.
Pro Tip
The ending is the last thing markers read before assigning a score. Make it unforgettable.
Five Ending Techniques
| Technique | How It Works | Marker Score |
|---|---|---|
| Circular | Echo the opening to create a sense of completion and closure | Structure |
| Image | End on a vivid, memorable picture that lingers in the reader's mind | Vocabulary & Imagery |
| Question | Leave the reader thinking with a powerful rhetorical question | Structure |
| Call to Action | Challenge or invite the reader to consider something new | Persuasion |
| Reflection | Zoom out to reveal a universal truth or deeper meaning | Ideas & Structure |
See It in Action
Ending Technique
Circular
Weak Version
"In conclusion, dogs are great pets."
Strong Version
"And so I understood what my grandfather meant when he said a dog doesn't just live in your house—it lives in your heart."
Look For
- Echoes the opening
- Emotional resonance
- Avoids "in conclusion"
Ending Technique
Image
Weak Version
"That was the end of summer."
Strong Version
"The last firefly blinked out, and the darkness of autumn crept in."
Look For
- Vivid image
- Metaphor
- Sensory detail
Ending Technique
Question
Weak Version
"So we should help the environment."
Strong Version
"If not us, then who? If not now, then when?"
Look For
- Rhetorical questions
- Urgency
- Rhythm
Ending Technique
Call to Action
Weak Version
"Everyone should recycle more."
Strong Version
"Next time you reach for that plastic bag, pause—and choose the future you believe in."
Look For
- Direct address
- Specific action
- Emotional weight
Ending Technique
Reflection
Weak Version
"I learned a lot that day."
Strong Version
"Standing there, mud on my boots and rain in my eyes, I realised that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's taking the next step anyway."
Look For
- Zoom out
- Universal truth
- Vivid setting
Why NSW Markers Notice This
Structure Score
Marks for cohesion & flow
Strong endings show control over your essay's shape. Circular endings and reflections demonstrate sophisticated structure awareness.
Overall Impression
The final mark boost
A memorable ending can elevate your whole piece. Markers finish on a positive note and often score more generously if the ending resonates.
Try It Yourself
Your Original Ending
"And that is why I believe technology has changed our lives."
Possible Stronger Version
"We carry the world in our pockets now—the question is whether we will look up from the screen long enough to notice the one outside our window."
→ This version ends with a question (reflection + call to action), creates a vivid image, and zooms out to a universal truth about balance.
Tips for Crafting Strong Endings
- 1. Avoid summary language. Never use "In conclusion," "To summarise," or "In summary." It feels weak and repetitive.
- 2. End on a single powerful sentence. Not two or three. One sentence that lands.
- 3. Use your best vocabulary. This is where you can afford to be bold—your most vivid verbs, most precise adjectives.
- 4. Echo your opening. If your essay opens with a question, end by answering it. If it opens with an image, end with a reflection on it.
- 5. Read it aloud. Does it have rhythm? Does it sound like something worth remembering?
Ready to practice?
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