Crafting an effective ending
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select and write an effective ending for a fictional story.
Key learning points
- We might find a resolution reassuring because it teaches us that society can return to order and justice will be done.
- A cliffhanger ending may create tension because it could imply that there will never be a satisfying ending to problems.
- We may find that an anti-climax subverts our expectations of what a ‘happy ending’ or ‘winning’ looks like.
- A plot twist might be unsettling as it could imply that we can’t predict outcomes or people’s behaviour.
Keywords
Reassure - say or do something to remove the doubts or fears of (someone)
Unsettled - nervous or worried; unable to relax
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Tension - a feeling of nervousness that makes you unable to relax
Common misconception
It doesn't matter how you end a story - people will have the same emotional reaction.
The way that you end a story drastically impacts the lasting emotional impression and how a reader interprets the story.
Teacher tip
It would be useful to encourage pupils to share their ideas for an ending and how they think it may impact people to reinforce the idea that endings greatly impact the way we interpret a story.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Arguably, writers may use short sentences in order to create a __________ atmosphere.
Q2.Using images of light within a text typically creates a sense of __________.
Q3.'To say or do something to remove the doubts or fears of (someone)' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Q4.'Two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect' is the definition of which word beginning with 'j'?
Q5.'The act of creating or using words that include sounds that are similar to the noises the words refer to' is the definition of which word?
Q6.Which of the following might the image of water symbolise in fiction writing?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the ending with the definition.
where any unanswered questions are answered
an element of a story is left unresolved
something is less dramatic than expected
a radical change in the direction or expected outcome
Q2.'A feeling of nervousness that makes you unable to relax' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Q3.Which of the following endings, found in fiction writing, are most likely to cause the reader to feel tense?
Q4.Which of the following endings is most likely to make the reader feel reassured?
Q5.'Nervous and worried; unable to relax' is the definition of which word beginning with 'u'?
Q6.'To criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Crafting an effective ending, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Crafting an effective ending, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Fiction: ending stories unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.