Essaessäloppuun

Essaessäloppuun is a term used in Finnish literary studies to describe a closing technique in essays. The concept refers to a deliberate return to the essay's opening idea, image, or question in the final lines, creating a sense of closure through circularity.

Origin and meaning: The term is a neologism that blends elements of the Finnish word for essay with a directional sense of moving toward the end. It has appeared in critical discussions as a way to name a recognizable ending pattern rather than as a formal genre.

Characteristics: Key features include a cyclical structure, echoing motifs or phrases, and a closure that mirrors the start. The final sentence or paragraph often reframes the thesis or presents a tempered conclusion, inviting readers to reflect on how the argument has developed from beginning to end.

Usage: Essaessäloppuun is commonly found in personal essays, literary criticism, and philosophical writing, where the author aims to emphasize coherence between opening and closing ideas. It is usually subtle rather than ostentatious and may employ repetition, parallelism, or reframing to reinforce the connection between start and finish.

Related concepts: Ring composition, chiasmus, and cyclical narratives are related rhetorical devices. Critics caution that excessive circular endings can feel contrived if they do not arise naturally from the text, potentially undercutting the perceived sincerity of the analysis.