What Is a Good Way to End a Short Story
What is the purpose of an effective ending in a short story?
The ending of a short story is the final impression left on the reader. It should provide a sense of closure, resolution, and lasting impact. An effective ending ties together the story’s themes, character arcs, and central conflict in a satisfying way. It leaves the reader with a memorable takeaway, whether it’s an insight, emotion, or lingering question. A well-crafted ending elevates the entire story, making it more impactful and meaningful. It’s the final piece that brings the narrative together and leaves a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.
How can you craft a compelling ending?
Tie up loose ends
Ensure that all the major plot points, character arcs, and story questions are addressed and resolved in a satisfying way. Avoid leaving the reader confused or unsatisfied by tying up loose ends and providing a sense of closure. However, it’s okay to leave some minor details or questions unanswered, as long as the main story arc is complete.
Reinforce the story’s themes
The ending should reinforce the story’s central themes and ideas. It should provide a final statement or insight that resonates with the reader and leaves them with something to think about. Consider how the ending can highlight the story’s themes in a new light or provide a fresh perspective.
Create a memorable final image
The ending should leave the reader with a vivid, memorable final image or scene. This could be a literal image, such as a character walking off into the sunset, or a metaphorical one, such as a character facing a new challenge or opportunity. The final image should be impactful, resonant, and linger in the reader’s mind long after they’ve finished the story.
Surprise the reader (but don’t cheat)
A surprising or unexpected ending can be highly effective, but it should feel organic and true to the story. Avoid twists or revelations that come out of nowhere or feel like a cheat. Instead, aim for surprises that are foreshadowed earlier in the story or that feel like a natural progression of the narrative. Surprise the reader, but in a way that makes sense and feels satisfying.
End on a strong note
The final lines of the story should be impactful, memorable, and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Consider ending on a strong image, a revealing line of dialogue, or a powerful statement that encapsulates the story’s essence. Avoid fizzling out or ending on a weak note. Instead, aim for a strong, resonant conclusion that leaves the reader thinking and feeling.
What are the different types of effective short story endings?
The circular ending
A circular ending returns to the beginning of the story, either literally or metaphorically. It can involve a character returning to the same place or situation they started in, or it can involve a repetition of a line of dialogue or a central image. Circular endings can provide a sense of completion and closure, while also highlighting the story’s themes and character growth.
The open-ended ending
An open-ended ending leaves the reader with questions or a sense of uncertainty about the future. It can involve a character facing a new challenge or opportunity, or it can leave the reader wondering about the character’s fate. Open-ended endings can be highly effective, as they allow the reader to engage with the story on a deeper level and draw their own conclusions.
The twist ending
A twist ending surprises the reader with an unexpected revelation or plot twist. It can involve a character discovering a hidden truth, a shocking event, or a major shift in the story’s direction. Twist endings can be highly effective, but they should feel organic and true to the story. Avoid twists that feel like a cheat or come out of nowhere.
The reflective ending
A reflective ending provides a character with an insight or realization that changes their perspective or understanding of the story’s events. It can involve a character looking back on their experiences and learning from them, or it can involve a character gaining a new understanding of themselves or the world around them. Reflective endings can be highly effective, as they provide a sense of character growth and development.
The symbolic ending
A symbolic ending uses imagery, metaphor, or symbolism to convey a deeper meaning or message. It can involve a character encountering a symbolic object or event, or it can involve a character engaging in a symbolic action. Symbolic endings can be highly effective, as they allow the reader to engage with the story on a deeper level and draw their own conclusions about its meaning.
How can you revise your ending for maximum impact?
Read your ending aloud
Reading your ending aloud can help you identify areas that need revision. Listen for awkward phrasing, repetitive language, or sections that feel weak or unclear. Reading aloud can also help you identify areas where you need to add or remove content to improve the ending’s impact.
Get feedback from others
Sharing your ending with others and getting their feedback can be incredibly valuable. Ask them what they liked about the ending, what they found confusing or unsatisfying, and what they think could be improved. Be open to their suggestions and use their feedback to guide your revisions.
Look for opportunities to add depth and complexity
As you revise your ending, look for opportunities to add depth and complexity to the story’s themes, characters, and conflicts. Consider adding additional layers of meaning, symbolism, or ambiguity to make the ending more thought-provoking and engaging.
Tighten up the language
Revise your ending to tighten up the language and remove any unnecessary words or phrases. Look for areas where you can be more concise and impactful. Consider using more vivid, descriptive language to create a stronger visual impact.
Ensure that the ending is true to the story
As you revise your ending, make sure that it remains true to the story’s themes, characters, and overall direction. Avoid making changes that feel out of place or inconsistent with the rest of the narrative. If a revision doesn’t feel organic or true to the story, consider an alternative approach.
What are some examples of memorable short story endings?
Here are some examples of memorable short story endings:
| Story | Ending |
|---|---|
| “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry | The story ends with the revelation that both Della and Jim sacrificed their most valuable possessions to buy each other gifts, highlighting the story’s themes of love, sacrifice, and the true meaning of gift-giving. |
| “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson | The story ends with the shocking revelation that the winner of the town’s annual lottery is stoned to death, highlighting the story’s themes of conformity, tradition, and the dangers of blindly following societal norms. |
| “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin | The story ends with the revelation that the city’s prosperity is dependent on the suffering of a single child, and some citizens choose to walk away from the city in protest, highlighting the story’s themes of moral responsibility and the cost of societal well-being. |
| “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway | The story ends with the protagonist, Harry, reflecting on his life and regrets as he lies dying on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, highlighting the story’s themes of mortality, regret, and the fleeting nature of life. |
| “The Lady with the Dog” by Anton Chekhov | The story ends with the protagonist, Dmitri, realizing that his affair with Anna has become more than just a passing fling, and that he has fallen in love with her, highlighting the story’s themes of love, infidelity, and the complexities of human relationships. |
These endings are memorable because they are surprising, thought-provoking, and true to the stories’ themes and characters. They leave a lasting impression on the reader and continue to be discussed and analyzed long after the story has been read.
