In the End

How do you write a good short story conclusion?

Writers often struggle with how to end a story. You may have ended yours with the words The End and thought that was enough. Or you may have tried the old trick of using this as your last sentence: And then I woke up.

Neither of these approaches does your story (or your readers) any favors. You have spent a lot of time on your story this semester, and it deserves a strong finish!

Think about how the folk tale "The Great Snake" ends. What does this paragraph do--besides end the story?

The short boy stood before the elders and asked them if he could now be made chief. The elders were surprised that such a short boy could be so brave. But they remembered their promise and agreed to make him their chief. Later, when he was chief, the short boy grew taller.

Question

Which sentence tells how the story's problem was finally solved?

"But they remembered their promise and agreed to make him their chief."

Question

Which sentence sums up the story's message?

"The elders were surprised that such a short boy could be so brave."

Question

Which sentence gives listeners something extra by telling them a hint about the future?

"Later, when he was chief, the short boy grew taller."