How do I end this thing?

By Kyle Cushman, Vermont College of Union Institute and University

People like closure. Imagine if a friend just hung up the phone in the middle of a conversation. Or if you were watching a movie and the DVD malfunctioned just before the end. Chances are you might feel unsettled, let down, frustrated, and even a bit dazed. You might ask, "What just happened? What was that about? What am I supposed to think now?"

When writing, many students find endings to be the most difficult part of writing the draft. Sometimes students just run out of steam or out of time. Some students aren't really sure what needs to go into an effective ending, so they just wing it. Thus, many student papers stop abruptly, leaving the reader hanging. Or they introduce a brand new topic, leaving the reader confused. And then there are papers where students over-explain what they've already said, leaving the reader feeling insulted and slightly bored.

Good endings (or conclusions) tend to:

• Refocus the reader on the main idea of the paper.
• Circle back to the opening in some way (bring back ideas from the introduction).
• Sum up the most important evidence or points that were established in the body of the paper.
• Draw a connection between the main idea of the paper and the larger world.
• Reflect the writer's passion and enthusiasm about the topic.
• End at just the right spot. It doesn't end too soon and doesn't ramble on for too long.
• Say something surprising.
• Leave the reader thinking.
• Leave the reader feeling satisfied.

Good endings avoid:

• Introducing brand new information.
• Stopping abruptly.
• Veering off topic.
• Simply repeating what has already been said.
• Having a bland, uncommitted, or obligatory tone.

Tips for writing endings:

1. Walk away from a paper that is almost finished. Do something to clear the mind for a half hour or so (such as taking a run, taking a walk, doing the dishes, or playing an instrument). Then come back to the desk, reread the paper, and "play" with different endings. Try writing several different ending paragraphs (3 to 5)). Narrow down your choices to the best ones. Choose one. If you don't like any, try writing a few more. Then try them out on a friend.
2. Brainstorm the ideas that resonated most for you in your paper. Identify why they resonate for you. Try to include that in your ending.
3. Pay attention to endings that you like. Identify what you like about them.
4. Critique endings that you don't like. What isn't working?

Above all, crafting a good ending requires plenty of time. When writers are pushed up too close to a deadline, they are more apt to cut the writing off at an indiscriminate place and send it hobbling into the world, incomplete, missing that crucial closure that we all seek. Some writers actually prefer to write their endings first, which is one way to ensure that the reader is not left hanging. However, since this method doesn't work for everyone, we can instead encourage students to leave enough time to reflect thoughtfully on their ending and to play with different possibilities. Learning the craft of ending is as important as learning the craft of beginning, a skill which we can transfer to all aspects our lives since every beginning leads to an ending, and all endings lead to new beginnings. It's hard to have one without the other.

Helpful links about endings:
http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/ending.html
A thoughtful, humorous explanation of endings that includes examples of weak endings and strong endings.

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html

Questions or comments? Contact the author at kyle.cushman@tui.edu.