A story is a presentation of a sequence of interrelated events that has a beginning, middle, and end, but a good story (that leaves a strong impact on the reader) is one that ends with conveying significance. It doesn't matter whether your story is real or imaginary and has a sad or happy ending, all effective stories end by telling the reader that somehow, the story matters.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Deciding the End
Step 1. Identify the parts of the story
The beginning of the story is the part that starts everything and follows nothing, the middle part follows the beginning and precedes the end, and the ending follows the middle and there is no story after it.
The end of the story may occur when the main character succeeds, or fails, in achieving the goals he wanted at the beginning of the story. For example, suppose your character, who works in a bakery, wants to be rich. He goes through various challenges to buy lottery tickets (and keep them safe from being stolen). Did he succeed? If so, your ending may be the moment the character hears their lottery number announced as the winner
Step 2. Keep the commitment in the last event or action
This approach is useful if you feel you have a story with many events that all seem important or interesting enough to make it difficult to find a good ending. You have to decide on the end point, and after that there are no more important actions or events.
The number of actions or events included in the story is only important in relation to the meaning to be conveyed. Know what events make up the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Once you've decided on the ending point, you can shape and polish the ending
Step 3. Define the main conflict
Are your characters struggling against nature? Against each other? Against himself (internal or emotional war)?
- There was someone crawling out of the wreckage of a small plane that crashed in the woods, in the middle of winter. He had to find a warm place in the wilderness. This is a “man versus nature” type of conflict. People trying to prove themselves in talent competitions. This is a human versus human conflict. Most conflicts fall into one of these categories. So, find out what conflicts are in your story.
- Depending on the main conflict type you are exploring, the final events in the story favor, or do not support, the development (accumulation) and resolution of that conflict.
Method 2 of 4: Describing the Journey
Step 1. Write a reflection on the events in the story
Explain the importance of the sequence of events you have arranged. Tell the reader that the events are important.
For example, your story might start with, “Grandfather always advised me to be fair and just in all situations. Now that I'm a police officer, I understand why he attaches importance to that trait because it's those life lessons that have strengthened me to take action in very challenging situations."
Step 2. Answer the question “Then why?
Reflect on the importance or relevance of the story to the reader. Why should readers care about your story? If you can answer this question, review the already written story to see if the action sequence you choose will lead the reader to the answer you found.
For example, “Why should we care about Noni and her village? Because climate change hitting the land where she grew up and loves will soon raise the water level in our city, and if we act now, we will be better prepared than Noni when her whole world changes in that storm."
Step 3. Use first-person narration to tell the reader which parts are important
You can speak directly to the reader through the “me” character, either as yourself (as the writer) or through the voice of a character you create.
- For example: “I just realized that all the hard work and long hours of training brought me to this moment, standing on that amazing stage, warmed by the sparkle of light and the breath and sound of everyone in the stadium.”
- For example, celebrity talk shows are usually nothing more than a series of unstructured conversations. However, the interviews we remember most are those that contain clear and effective stories told in plain language and describe how the celebrity felt when he or she experienced something and why that experience was important.
Step 4. Use third-person narration to convey an important part of the story to the reader
You can use other characters or the narrator's voice to speak and convey that important message.
For example, “Carefully, Denise folded the letter, kissed it, and placed it on the table, next to a pile of money. He knew they would definitely ask questions, but in time they would learn, like he himself, to find answers. He nodded as if agreeing with someone in the room, then stepped out of the house and into an old taxi, moaning and shaking by the side of the road like an impatient loyal dog."
Step 5. Write the “conclusion” section
The content of this section depends on the genre you are writing in. Academics and scientists agree that a good story should end with something that makes the reader "think". Now that "something" is an important part of the story.
- If you are writing a personal or academic essay, the conclusion may be the final paragraph or a series of several paragraphs. If you're working on a science fiction novel, the conclusion may be an entire chapter or chapters toward the end of the story.
- Don't end the story with "I woke up and realized it was all a dream" or a one-line conclusion like that. The meaning or essence of the story should flow naturally from the events in the story, not like a last-minute label.
Step 6. Identify the larger relationship or pattern of events
What does your journey (or your character's journey) seem to represent? By thinking of the story as a journey, for example, you or the main character ends up in different places because you parted ways at the beginning, you will see the uniqueness of the story and find an ending that feels right.
Method 3 of 4: Using Actions and Images
Step 1. Use actions to show (not tell) what's important
We know that action-packed stories, both written and visual, appeal to all ages. Through physical action, you can also communicate greater meaning and significance.
Let's say you write a fantasy story that features a female knight saving a city from a dragon. Everyone thanked him, except for the old town hero who throughout the story was haunted by jealousy because he felt defeated. The story can end with the hero giving the sword he won to the female knight. Without the words of the characters, you can show the reader an important part
Step 2. Build the ending with sensory descriptions and images
Sensory details connect us with the story emotionally, and most good stories use imagery from start to finish. However, by using rich sensory language to describe the words at the end of the story, you will create deep meaning for the reader.
Timmy knew that the monster had lost, sinking in the depths of the toilet drain. However, he stood and waited, watching the red color disappear to the last point into a water channel somewhere, until only clear blue water remained. It does not move, until its own reflection appears on the surface of the water."
Step 3. Create a metaphor for the characters and their purpose
Give instructions so that readers can make their own interpretations. Readers love stories that can be "processed" and thought out after reading. Don't write confusing stories that readers can't understand, but include less obvious figurative language. In this way, your work retains both appeal and significance.
For example, “Saying goodbye, Sam started the engine of the motorbike and Jo could feel the girl had become a memory, gone with the roar of sounds and flashes of light, then away, cornering the end of the road and up the hill, and finally all that was left was the smell of smoke and echoes. his parting words until he faded like the silence after a fireworks display, an amazing sight that makes Jo always feel lucky to have had the chance to enjoy it.”
Step 4. Choose a clear picture
Similar to using sensory or action descriptions, this approach is especially useful when telling stories in essays. Think of the image you want to create in the reader's mind, visualize how you feel, and present it to the reader at the end of the story.
Step 5. Highlight a theme
You can write on a number of themes, especially if you're writing a long story, such as a history-based essay or book. Focusing on a specific theme or motif through character images or actions can help you create a unique structure. This approach is especially useful for open endings.
Step 6. Echo the moment
Similar to highlighting a theme, you can choose a particular action, event, or emotional moment that feels most meaningful, then “echo” it by repeating, revisiting, and reflecting on or developing that moment.
Step 7. Return to the beginning
Along with highlighting the theme and echoing the moment, this strategy ends the story by repeating something that was introduced earlier. This technique is usually called “framing” and it provides form and meaning to the story.
For example, a story that begins with someone looking at, but not eating, the leftover birthday cake could end with the person looking back at the cake. Whether he eats the cake or not, going back to the beginning will help the reader see the point or bigger picture you're exploring
Method 4 of 4: Following Logic
Step 1. Review all the events in the story to see how they relate
Remember that not all actions carry the same significance or relationship. The story contains the expression of meaning, but not all actions are included in the story to bring the reader to the same idea. Actions don't always have to be complete or successful.
For example, in Homer's classic Greek story “The Odyssey”, the main character Odysseus tries to return home many times, but is unsuccessful, and he encounters monsters along the way. Each failure adds to the story's appeal, but the meaning of the story lies in what he learns about himself, not about the monsters he defeats
Step 2. Ask yourself: “What happened next?” Sometimes when we get too excited (or frustrated) while writing a story, we forget that events and behavior, even in fantasy worlds, tend to follow logic, the laws of physics in the world you imagine, etc. Usually, a good ending can be written easily if you think about what would logically happen in a situation. The ending of the story must be in accordance with the previous series of events.
Step 3. Think: “Why is the sequence of events like this?” Review the sequence of events or actions, then think of actions that seem surprising to clarify logic and storyline.
Let's say your main character is looking for their dog in the park when they find a gateway to a fantasy world. Don't ignore the initial logic. Follow their adventures, but let them find the dog at the end of the story (or have the dog find them)
Step 4. Imagine variety and surprises
Don't let the story become so logical that nothing new happens. Think about what would happen if certain choices or events changed somewhat, and include surprises. Check to see if there are enough surprising events or actions for the reader.
If the main character gets up early, goes to school, comes home, and sleeps again, the story will not attract many people because the plot is very familiar. Include something new and surprising. For example, the character is out of the house when he finds a strange package with his name on it on the front steps
Step 5. Generate questions that the story brings
Review what you have learned from the events, evidence, or details. Think about it and then write down what is missing, what problems or issues are still unresolved, or what questions arise. Endings that reflect questions can invite readers to think more deeply, and most topics will generate more questions if you follow a logical approach.
For example, what new conflict now awaits your hero after the monster is finished? How long will peace last in the kingdom?
Step 6. Think like an outsider
Regardless of whether the story is true or imaginary, you should read it again from an outsider's perspective, and think about what makes sense to the person reading your story for the first time. As a writer, you may really like an event that involves characters, but remember that readers may have other feelings about which parts are most important. By rereading the story from another point of view, you can be more critical.
Tips
- Create a skeleton. Before you start writing anything, create an outline first. The skeleton is a story map. You can tell where you've written and where your writing will lead. The only way to see the overall structure of the story in a nutshell is through an outline so you can predict the ending of the story that will be written.
- Ask others to read your story and provide feedback. Choose people whose opinions you trust and respect.
- Pay attention to the genre of your story. Stories written as part of historical essays have certain qualities that differ from short horror-themed stories. The stories told in stand-up comedy are different elements from the stories of travel magazines.
- Revision. Once you know the ending, reread it from the beginning and check for gaps or passages that might confuse the reader.
