The ending is your art! This is where to reveal the truth you've come to tell.
In the Zurich Storytellers community, be observed a common issue many storytellers face when crafting their story - finding the right ending.
Many storytellers have engaging journeys and rich experiences to share but aren’t always sure how to wrap it all up. The ending is where you give meaning to the experience you’re sharing, creating something that sticks with the audience.
Many storytellers have engaging journeys and rich experiences to share but aren’t always sure how to wrap it all up. The ending is where you give meaning to the experience you’re sharing, creating something that sticks with the audience.
Here are some straightforward tips to help you land on a satisfying conclusion for your story:
1. Reflect on Your Story's Beginning
Tip: Look back at how your story started. Ending with a similar theme or setting will make it feel complete.
Example: If you began with a memory of your grandmother’s kitchen, try to close with something that brings you back to that kitchen, even if it's just the smell of fresh bread. It brings the audience full circle.
2. Keep the Theme Consistent
Tip: Stick to the main idea or feeling of your story throughout. An ending that aligns with your theme is more memorable.
Example: If your story was about the courage to try something new, end with a moment that reflects that bravery, like signing up for a dance class or going to a new city alone.
3. Resolve Key Conflicts
Tip: Wrap up the main conflicts or questions in your story so your audience isn’t left hanging.
Example: If you told a story about a tough decision between two jobs, finish by explaining your final choice and how it worked out (or didn't), so the audience knows where you landed.
4. Show Character Growth
Tip: Show how the main character (often yourself in personal stories) has changed by the end.
Example: If you started with a fear of public speaking, end with how you felt after giving a big presentation. Even just sharing how you now look forward to small speaking opportunities highlights growth.
5. Choose the Right Type of Ending
Resolved Ending
Example: After months of indecision, you finally decide to make the move. You end by describing how life in the new city has given you a renewed sense of purpose and independence. You’ve made new friends, discovered new hobbies, and feel happier than you have in a long time. The audience knows that the decision paid off and that you’ve found peace.
Unresolved Ending
Example: You decide to spend part of the year in the new city to test it out, but keep your old apartment just in case. You end by saying that while you’re enjoying the change, you’re still not sure if it’s permanent. The audience understands you’re trying to start fresh but haven’t fully committed, leaving some questions about your final decision.
Ambiguous Ending
Example: The story ends with a scene of you sitting on a train, looking out at the landscape passing by, thinking about the life you’re leaving behind and the possibilities ahead. You’re full of mixed emotions—hope, fear, excitement—but leave it unclear whether you’ll stay in the new city or return. The audience is left to imagine what happens next.
Twist Ending
Example: You finally decide to move and start fresh, only to bump into an old friend in the new city who’s going through a similar experience. You realize that what you really needed was a strong support system, not necessarily a new city. The two of you become each other’s support network, and you find new happiness right where you are. The twist shows that sometimes we don’t need a new place to heal, just the right people by our side.
6. Avoid Adding New Details at the End
Tip: Don’t introduce new people, places, or ideas in the last moments. Stick to what you’ve already established.
Example: If you’ve been talking about a road trip with your best friend, don’t suddenly bring in a third friend at the end—just end on the shared experience the two of you had.
7. Aim to Evoke Emotion
Tip: Think about the emotion you want to leave with the audience—hope, warmth, laughter—and shape your ending to match.
Example: For a story about overcoming a fear, you might want to create an ending with a lighthearted note, like, “Now when I see a spider, I just nod and say, ‘Not today, my friend.’” It keeps the tone light but shows you’ve grown.
8. Test Your Ending with Friends or Peers
Tip: Share your story’s ending with a friend or in a storytelling group. They can tell you if it feels complete or if it leaves them with questions.
By keeping these simple tips in mind, you’ll find it easier to end your story in a way that feels right for you and your audience.
Sources:
1. Reflect on Your Story's Beginning
Tip: Look back at how your story started. Ending with a similar theme or setting will make it feel complete.
Example: If you began with a memory of your grandmother’s kitchen, try to close with something that brings you back to that kitchen, even if it's just the smell of fresh bread. It brings the audience full circle.
2. Keep the Theme Consistent
Tip: Stick to the main idea or feeling of your story throughout. An ending that aligns with your theme is more memorable.
Example: If your story was about the courage to try something new, end with a moment that reflects that bravery, like signing up for a dance class or going to a new city alone.
3. Resolve Key Conflicts
Tip: Wrap up the main conflicts or questions in your story so your audience isn’t left hanging.
Example: If you told a story about a tough decision between two jobs, finish by explaining your final choice and how it worked out (or didn't), so the audience knows where you landed.
4. Show Character Growth
Tip: Show how the main character (often yourself in personal stories) has changed by the end.
Example: If you started with a fear of public speaking, end with how you felt after giving a big presentation. Even just sharing how you now look forward to small speaking opportunities highlights growth.
5. Choose the Right Type of Ending
- Resolved: Tie up loose ends neatly.
- Unresolved: Leave some things open if they don’t need a firm answer.
- Ambiguous: End in a way that lets the audience draw their own conclusions.
- Twist: Surprise the audience with an unexpected but fitting conclusion.
Resolved Ending
Example: After months of indecision, you finally decide to make the move. You end by describing how life in the new city has given you a renewed sense of purpose and independence. You’ve made new friends, discovered new hobbies, and feel happier than you have in a long time. The audience knows that the decision paid off and that you’ve found peace.
Unresolved Ending
Example: You decide to spend part of the year in the new city to test it out, but keep your old apartment just in case. You end by saying that while you’re enjoying the change, you’re still not sure if it’s permanent. The audience understands you’re trying to start fresh but haven’t fully committed, leaving some questions about your final decision.
Ambiguous Ending
Example: The story ends with a scene of you sitting on a train, looking out at the landscape passing by, thinking about the life you’re leaving behind and the possibilities ahead. You’re full of mixed emotions—hope, fear, excitement—but leave it unclear whether you’ll stay in the new city or return. The audience is left to imagine what happens next.
Twist Ending
Example: You finally decide to move and start fresh, only to bump into an old friend in the new city who’s going through a similar experience. You realize that what you really needed was a strong support system, not necessarily a new city. The two of you become each other’s support network, and you find new happiness right where you are. The twist shows that sometimes we don’t need a new place to heal, just the right people by our side.
6. Avoid Adding New Details at the End
Tip: Don’t introduce new people, places, or ideas in the last moments. Stick to what you’ve already established.
Example: If you’ve been talking about a road trip with your best friend, don’t suddenly bring in a third friend at the end—just end on the shared experience the two of you had.
7. Aim to Evoke Emotion
Tip: Think about the emotion you want to leave with the audience—hope, warmth, laughter—and shape your ending to match.
Example: For a story about overcoming a fear, you might want to create an ending with a lighthearted note, like, “Now when I see a spider, I just nod and say, ‘Not today, my friend.’” It keeps the tone light but shows you’ve grown.
8. Test Your Ending with Friends or Peers
Tip: Share your story’s ending with a friend or in a storytelling group. They can tell you if it feels complete or if it leaves them with questions.
By keeping these simple tips in mind, you’ll find it easier to end your story in a way that feels right for you and your audience.
Sources:
Practice storytelling with ZST
Would you like to get more practical experience on how to craft a story? Sign up for our in-person workshops or join one of our shows in Zurich!
From concept to script to shining on stage - a practical 2h workshop on how to tell a story.
Join one of our upcoming shows to share your story with the live audience as get feedback. Just listening is fine as well.
About Zurich Storytellers
ZST live events are an intimate high-energy evening of 5-minute stories by people who have a passion and the desire to share authentic true stories with their hometown crowd. The stage is open to everyone, but our (very cool) L200 event space has limited seating - reserve yours now.
“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”
Joan Didion 1924- 2021
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