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Ending On A High Note – Writing Excellent Endings for Your Composition
- Posted By Randall Chew
- 07/04/2023
Hello, everyone! I’m Miss Genevieve, an English Teacher at Lil’ but Mighty.
A good conclusion should leave your reader feeling intrigued, entertained, and informed. By ending your story well, your readers get a sense that the problem is solved thoughtfully and credibly. In this video, I’ll be sharing three creative ways to help you end your compositions well. Let’s get started, shall we?
The resolution or conclusion should serve to:
- Wrap up your story
- Provide a resolution to the conflict
- Inform the reader of any changes in the character
- Show how you have addressed the topic
I have included Point 4 because it is important to remember that when you are writing a composition in the exams, you’ll need to do this too!
Strategy 1: Reflect On the Incident
An easy way to end your story is to include a reflection on the incident that happened in your story. You can consider using this technique if your character decides a change in behaviour or attitude is necessary, reflects on their mistakes, or learns a valuable lesson. To do this well, make sure that you describe your character’s thoughts and feelings about the problem in your story. Here’s an example to show you what I mean.
Let’s say the topic is “a dare.” Your main character realised that it was foolish of him to accept the challenge posed by his friends and perform the dare because he nearly drowned. You can describe his thoughts and feelings about the situation.
Consider using these questions to help you develop your conclusion:
- How has the incident changed your main character’s impression of his actions?
- What promises or decisions did he make to avoid such incidents in the future?
- How did he feel after the accident?
After that fateful incident, swimming in the cerulean sea was never the same again (thought). I made a silent vow never to throw caution to the wind and accept a foolhardy challenge (link to topic) for the sake of friendship (lesson learnt). Filled with immense regret (feeling), I decided never to risk my life just to gain acceptance from my peers (decision).
Strategy 2: Words of Wisdom
Now, let’s take a look at the second technique. If the topic involves a value like honesty, courage, or teamwork, you might want to include a proverb or saying in the conclusion. When your main character comes to realise an important value or moral after going through the events in the entire story, you can try applying this strategy.
It’s important to note that the saying or proverb should be closely linked to the topic. Now, I’ll use a different topic to explain this technique.
For example, if the topic is “a dishonest act,” and the problem in your story was how your main character was caught redhanded for shoplifting, you can discuss the valuable lesson of honesty.
Consider using these questions to help you develop your conclusion:
- What was the important value that your main character learnt?
- Why was this value important to uphold?
- How did this incident affect your main character’s future actions?
At the end of the day, the shopkeeper was right: honesty is the best policy (saying). Stealing from someone will not only tarnish my reputation but also leave my conscience tainted with guilt (why acting honestly is important). The act of triggering the blaring alarm and having to answer for my dishonest deed (link to topic) continues to haunt me even to this day (memorable image). This valuable lesson on integrity will be indelibly etched in my mind forever (how the incident has left an impact on your main character).
Strategy 3: Guide your readers back to the present
That was pretty easy, wasn’t it?
If you have started your story with a flashback, you’ll want to pay attention to this technique. To wrap up the character’s journey into the past, you must bring your character back to the present when you end your story. Let’s take a look at another example to show you what I mean.
If the topic is “a painful loss,” and the problem in your story was how your main character had to give up something he treasured, like a watch, to pay for his father’s medical bills, you can use this technique to make a reference to the beginning.
Consider using these questions to help you develop your conclusion:
- What triggered your main character back to the present moment? Usually, this would be a sound or a voice.
- What was the painful loss?
- Was the sacrifice worth it? Why?
Knock! Knock! (sound) I was jolted out of my nostalgia (show clearly that main character was brought back to the present). “Andy, are you ready for dinner?” Father exclaimed, greeting me with a warm smile. Immediately, I ran into his arms and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Although giving up my precious watch was a difficult sacrifice (state what was the painful loss – link to topic), I know that the fond memories of my late mother could not be contained in a single object. Deep down, I knew that my mother would have affirmed my decision, for she would rather it help my father and me to have a better life (describe why sacrifice was worth it).
I hope you found these techniques useful! In summary, these three techniques show:
- Why the topic was important to your main character
- How the topic has impacted them
- Wraps up the story based on the problem
Remember, whichever technique you choose to end your composition, it is essential that you always reiterate the main topic given in the question. This shows the examiner that you have tried to address the topic and thought deeply about it.
For more grammar and storytelling tips, be sure to check out the other videos on our channel. See you soon and take care!
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Ms. Genevieve
Ms. Genevieve has been teaching at tuition centres for six years, specialising in creative writing. She continues to mine fascinating insights from advertising, pop culture, and music to liven up her classrooms. A firm believer that small steps can lead to remarkable results, she is excited to ignite a love for learning with her novel teaching approaches at Lil’ but Mighty.
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