This is where the story circles back to the beginning. The writer ends with the same idea or similar (even exact) words at the start of the story.

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1 THE CIRCULAR ENDING THE SURPRISE ENDING This is where the story circles back to the beginning. The writer ends with the same idea or similar (even exact) words at the start of the story. The story ends in a way you didn t expect. This is often called a twist ending because the story turns in an exciting direction. If the story started like this It was Monday. As Dieter Zimmerman slowly opened one eye and then the other, he silently vowed one thing to himself. Today he would not be late for school. then it could end like this It was Tuesday. As Dieter Zimmerman slowly opened one eye and then the other, he silently vowed one thing to himself. Today he would not be late for school. All the way through, suspense has been built up with Dieter wondering and worrying about his punishment Dieter ran around the street corner like an Olympic sprinter, his lungs bursting. He mentally prepared himself for the final dash to his class: through the school gates, down the never-ending hallway, up the three flights of stairs and in to the merciless clutches of Herr Sauer. Yet as he turned the corner, he crashed to a sudden halt as his eyes took in an unexpected and dreadful sight. He shook his head repeatedly, unable to immediately grasp what had happened. A hand involuntarily covered his mouth, where his school had stood was a hole: a gaping, smouldering, indescribable hole.

2 THE MORAL ENDING THE EMOVITE (WARM) ENDING This is where the main character of the story learns something at the end. It could improve personal growth, change or the acquisition of new knowledge. The writer leaves you feeling emotionally good inside. Your heart strings are well and truly tugged. Dieter has done a favour for a stranger and so arrives late. Dieter began half-heartedly to attempt an explanation, knowing that anything he said would probably fall on deaf ears. Herr Sauer raised a single wrinkled finger and Dieter fell grimly but obediently silent. As he bent over the desk he heard the crack of the leather strap as Herr Sauer tested its strength before the inevitably turning it on the hapless boy. The air whistled as the initial strike hit home like a scorpion s sting. It was then that Dieter appreciated for the first time that good deeds, like bad, rarely went unpunished. The stranger Dieter helps was an old lady who has lost her family, believed dead. He helps carry her heavy case to the refugee district. Yet two kilometres away in the refugee district, a grandmother Schulte had found her daughter and grandchildren who she thought lost forever. Unintentional and bitter as Dieter s tears were, those of the old woman were of joyful and overwhelming surprise.

3 THE REFLECTIVE ENDING THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING The narrator of the story takes a step back and reflects on what has happened. This can take the form of determining the importance of the experience. The story ends with the reader wanting more, to know what happens next. This strategy is used to excite the reader to make them want to read more (if there is a next chapter) or to imagine what happens next for themselves. The time and place come to the fore, with war arriving at the town. An older Dieter considers his school punishment In later life, Dieter would reflect on the events of that January morning. The blows that rained down seemed simply feathers in the air compared to the bombs that accompanied February in a dazzling democracy of death. The punishment is interrupted by a truly duff duff ending hapless boy. Instead, Dieter heard a humming noise. Low at first then increasing in volume, he raised himself to ascertain where the steadily increasing din was originating. He followed the open-mouthed stares of Herr Sauer and his classmates through the window. Like a wake of metal vultures, the air was thick with aircraft. Dieter knew at once they were enemy bombers.

4 THE QUESTION ENDING THE DIALOGUE ENDING A question can also suggest that a story might continue. The reader is provoked in to thought plus it makes the writing more memorable. Ending with a question is a great way to leave the reader thinking even after he or she is finishing reading. Ending with dialogue can make your characters more realistic by giving something important away about their character or personality. A few well-chosen words from someone s mouth can reveal a lot about them. Do you want your reader to wonder or think? Use a question Dieter clenched his teeth, determined not to cry although he knew by the fourth blow he would not be able to help himself and hot, bitter tears would cascade down his cheeks. Yet the second blow, expected seconds after the first, did not come. Dieter kept his head down and wondered what had happened. Why had the old stinkstiefel stopped? Character is shown through what is said Take that, boy! spat Herr Sauer with venom. Dieter felt pain flow along his neck as if boiling water had been poured on it. His head span with dizzying, throbbing agony. Sir! he yelled loudly and with as much nonchalance as he could muster. Sir! Have you landed your first blow yet? Please hurry or we will all miss our lunch today.

5 THE IMAGE ENDING THE FUNNY ENDING Stop telling the story direct. What? Instead use an image which will stay in the reader s mind for a long time. Using an image can touch emotions, and convey thoughts and feelings that a reader can share much more than simple exposition. A funny ending is always memorable. If you make the reader laugh, even just a little, then they are more inclined to remember your story or to read on if it is the end of the chapter. Character is shown through what is said Outside the school a stray dog, basking in a slither of winter sunshine, rose to its feet in canine alarm. Ears twitching, it flinched each time it heard another crack of Herr Sauer s strap. Then with more speed than grace it careered in terror away from the school, yelping and whimpering. Character is shown through what is said Crack! Yet Dieter felt no pain, and that guttural cry or agony had not come from him either. He cocked his head upward to find Herr Sauer clutching his face in a state of distressed anguish. The old and overused leather strap had finally worn out and had snapped in mid-air, the tail end hitting the ancient teacher directly in the left eye. A tentative but contented smile spread slowly over Dieter s face.

6 SUMMARY OF STORY Germany, January A 16 year old boy, Dieter, wakes up in the morning and realises he will probably be late for school again. Although it is the middle of wartime he knows that he will be physically punished if he is late after all, that happened just recently. He makes his way through the wintry streets of his home town. They seem to change all the time as the war encroaches on daily life. Yet Dieter makes himself late by doing a favour for a stranger. He helps an elderly lady refugee find safety. This done he completes his journey and turns the corner to the street where his school is located