Home / Writing / Write a Story Ending: Solve the Problem and Show the Change
Writing lesson · Narrative writing
Write a Story Ending: Solve the Problem and Show the Change
Learn to end a story well: solve the problem with an idea from the story, show how the character has changed, echo the beginning and stop at the right place.
The idea
You have written a strong opening, and you know how to show feelings with details. Now comes the part many writers rush: the ending. A good ending is what the reader remembers last.
Here is a short invented story beginning that we will use in this lesson. Nadia got a new kite for her birthday, but it would not fly. Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass. Her little brother Sam laughed. Nadia wanted to give up. Then she remembered Grandpa's tip: "Stop running. Let the wind do the work." Nadia, Sam and the kite are made up for practice.
A satisfying ending does four things. First, it solves the problem the story set up, and it uses something that is already in the story, such as Grandpa's tip. Second, it shows the change: the character acts or feels differently than at the start. Third, it echoes the beginning, with an image or a few words that come back with a new result. Fourth, it stops soon after the problem is solved.
Some endings do not work. Saying it was all a dream takes back everything the character did. A sudden rescue, such as a wizard or a helicopter, means the character did not solve the problem. A new character or a new problem at the end leaves the old problem unfinished. And The end after one vague sentence feels rushed.
Use the same skill as Show, Don't Just Tell. Instead of writing that Nadia was happy, show a small action: she smiled and passed the string to Sam. A short last line, such as a quotation that echoes the story, gives the reader something to remember.
Plan your ending before you write it. Ask: What was the problem? What idea or clue in the story can solve it? How is my character different now? What can I echo from the beginning? Then write three to five sentences and stop.
See the difference
A first attempt
Then she flew it and it was good. The end.
Nadia stood still on the hill and waited. A breeze came, and the kite lifted into the sky. Sam stopped laughing and asked to hold the string. Nadia smiled and passed it to him. "Wind first," she said, "running second."
Why this works: The weak ending never says how the kite flew, uses the vague words it was good and adds The end. The strong ending solves the problem with Grandpa's tip, shows a change in Sam and in Nadia through actions, echoes the running from the beginning and stops on a short last line. The story is invented for practice.
Worked examples
Example 1 · Find the problem and the clue
Story so far (invented): Nadia got a new kite for her birthday, but it would not fly. Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass. Her little brother Sam laughed. Nadia wanted to give up. Then she remembered Grandpa's tip: "Stop running. Let the wind do the work." What problem must the ending solve, and which clue can solve it?
- The problem: the kite will not fly when Nadia runs.
- Look for a clue already in the story: Grandpa's tip, "Let the wind do the work."
- The ending should use the tip, not a new idea from nowhere.
The problem is getting the kite to fly. The clue is Grandpa's tip about letting the wind do the work.
Example 2 · Solve the problem
Write a sentence that solves Nadia's problem using the clue.
- Use action words: stood still, waited, lifted.
- Include the clue: she waits for the wind instead of running.
- Keep it believable: a kite can lift in a breeze.
Nadia stood still on the hill until a breeze came, and the kite lifted into the sky.
Example 3 · Show the change
Nadia wanted to give up at the start. Write a sentence that shows she has changed, without writing the word proud.
- Think of what a proud, calm person does: smiles, stands tall, shares.
- Choose one small action that the reader can picture.
- Use the action instead of naming the feeling.
Nadia smiled and passed the string to Sam.
Example 4 · Echo the beginning
The story began, "Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass." Write a last line that echoes it.
- Pick an image from the beginning: running, flopping, the grass.
- Bring it back with a new result.
- Keep it short so it stays memorable.
This time the kite did not flop onto the grass. It sailed over it.
Example 5 · Put it all together
Combine the solution, the change and the echo into a four- or five-sentence ending.
- Solve: the breeze lifts the kite.
- Change: Sam stops laughing, and Nadia shares the string.
- Echo: end with a short line about the wind and running, then stop.
Nadia stood still on the hill and waited. A breeze came, and the kite lifted into the sky. Sam stopped laughing and asked to hold the string. Nadia smiled and passed it to him. "Wind first," she said, "running second."
Example 6 · Fix a dream ending
Fix this ending: "Nadia flew the kite. Then she woke up. It was all a dream."
- Delete the dream, because it cancels the events.
- Add how the problem was solved and how Nadia feels.
- Keep the events real inside the story.
Nadia stood still on the hill until a breeze lifted the kite. It rose higher and higher, and she laughed out loud.
Common mistakes
Why this fails: A dream ending takes back everything the character did. Keep the events real and let the character solve the problem.
Why this fails: The reader wants the character to solve the problem. Use an idea, tool or clue that appeared earlier.
Why this fails: Vague words do not show what happened. Use specific actions and details, and let the story stop without announcing The end.
Why this fails: The last paragraph should finish the story you started. A new problem leaves the first one unfinished.
Why this fails: Show the feeling with an action or a detail, such as smiling and passing the string to her brother.
Why this fails: Once the problem is solved and the change is shown, give one short last line and stop. Extra events weaken the ending.
Foundation
Foundation practice
Spot endings that solve the problem, show change and echo the beginning.
1. Story so far (invented): Nadia got a new kite for her birthday, but it would not fly. Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass. Her little brother Sam laughed. Nadia wanted to give up. Then she remembered Grandpa's tip: "Stop running. Let the wind do the work." Which ending solves Nadia's problem in a way the story prepared for?
- Nadia bought a different kite and forgot about the first one.
- A strong wizard flew the kite for her.
- Nadia stood still on the hill until a breeze came, and the kite lifted into the sky.
- Nadia went home and ate lunch.
2. Which ending is the weakest?
- Then she flew it and it was good. The end.
- The kite climbed higher and higher, and Nadia held the string with a proud smile.
- Sam stopped laughing and asked if he could hold the string.
- Nadia whispered, "Wind first. Running second."
3. Which sentence shows that Nadia has changed since the start of the story?
- Nadia liked kites.
- At the start she wanted to give up, but now she waited calmly for the wind.
- Nadia was a girl with a kite.
- The kite was red.
4. The story began, "Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass." Which last line echoes that beginning?
- The sun was out that day.
- Nadia liked her birthday party.
- Many kites are made of paper or plastic.
- This time the kite did not flop onto the grass. It sailed over it.
Practice
Practice practice
Choose and write endings that fit the problem.
5. Story so far (invented): Nadia got a new kite for her birthday, but it would not fly. Every time she ran across the field, the kite flopped onto the grass. Her little brother Sam laughed. Nadia wanted to give up. Then she remembered Grandpa's tip: "Stop running. Let the wind do the work." Which is the best complete ending?
- Nadia stood on the hill. Suddenly a dragon came and flew the kite. Nadia was happy. The end.
- Nadia stood still on the hill. A breeze came, and the kite lifted. Sam stopped laughing and asked to hold the string. Nadia smiled and passed it to him. "Wind first," she said.
- The kite flew and Nadia was happy. Sam was happy too. Everyone was happy.
- Nadia went home. Tomorrow she would try again. Maybe it would work.
6. Story so far (invented): Marcus stood on the pool deck and stared at the diving board. His knees shook. His coach said, "Just take one step at a time." Which ending fits this story best?
- Marcus took one step, then another, until his toes reached the edge. He jumped, splashed and came up laughing while his coach clapped.
- Marcus never swam again and was sure he was right.
- Suddenly a helicopter landed and flew Marcus home.
- Marcus jumped. The end.
7. Which version stops at the best place?
- The kite sailed high. Nadia grinned. Then she went home, ate dinner, brushed her teeth and went to bed.
- The kite sailed high. Nadia grinned. Later that week she saw a bird, and then it rained.
- The kite sailed high. Nadia grinned. "Wind first," she told Sam.
- The kite sailed high. Nadia grinned. And then there were lots of other things that happened.
8. Which ending shows the problem was solved by the character, not by a sudden surprise?
- Suddenly the board shrank and Marcus floated down.
- Marcus remembered the coach's advice and took the board one step at a time.
- A stranger appeared and dived for him.
- The pool turned into a puddle.
9. Write one or two sentences that solve Marcus's problem using the coach's advice. Show what Marcus does, step by step.
Think
Think practice
Fix dream, magic and new-character endings and name what makes an ending work.
10. Which sentence does NOT belong in an ending?
- Just then a new boy named Theo, who had never been in the story, shouted, "I own this pool!"
- Marcus climbed out of the pool, still smiling.
- "One step at a time," he told himself.
- His coach gave him a thumbs-up.
11. Fix this ending: "Marcus jumped. And then he woke up. It was all a dream." Write two or three sentences of a new ending.
12. Which last sentence shows that Marcus feels proud without using the word proud?
- Marcus was very, very proud.
- Marcus stood tall on the deck and looked back at the board with a big grin.
- Marcus felt proud of himself.
- Marcus said he was proud, and he was proud.
13. A friend's story ending says, "Then it was over. The end." Which advice would help most?
- Make it longer by adding as many events as you can.
- Start with the word Suddenly.
- Solve the problem with an idea from the story, show how the character feels and end on a line the reader will remember.
- Add three more characters.
14. Read: "Nadia stood still on the hill. The kite lifted. 'Wind first,' she said." Which part of an ending is the last sentence?
- A new problem
- The setting
- A hook for the next story
- A last line that echoes Grandpa's tip
15. A student writes an ending where Nadia gives up and the kite is never mentioned again. What is the main problem?
- The ending does not solve the problem the story set up.
- It is too short to be an ending.
- It uses quotation marks.
- It names a character.
16. Why is it a good idea to echo something from the beginning in the ending? Answer in two sentences.
Challenge
Challenge practice
Write your own ending and check it against the checklist.
17. Setup (invented): Ana forgot her lines in the class play. The audience was quiet. Her friend whispered, "Look at the cards on the stage floor." Write a three- or four-sentence ending that solves the problem using the cards, shows how Ana feels and ends with a short last line.
18. Use the checklist on this page to check your ending for question 17. Which one item would you improve first, and how?
Your turn to write
Choose a story you started or a Daily Read short story you have read. Write down the problem the story set up and one clue already in the story that could solve it. Then write a new ending of three to five sentences. Solve the problem with the clue, show how the character feels or has changed through an action or detail, echo something from the beginning and stop with a short last line. Do not use a dream, magic or a new character. Read it aloud to check that it sounds finished.
Helpful sentence starters
- The problem was ...
- The clue in the story is ...
- This time, ...
- [Character] smiled and ...
- "...," she said.
- Instead of ..., [character] ...
Write in a notebook or a document. The model and checklist are available without signing in.
Check and improve
- My ending solves the problem the story set up.
- I used a clue or idea that was already in the story.
- I showed how the character feels or has changed with an action or detail.
- I echoed something from the beginning.
- I did not use a dream, magic, a sudden rescue or a new character.
- My last line is short, and I stopped soon after the problem was solved.
This checklist is for parent-and-child self-review. No automatic writing score is assigned.
Answer key
- 1. Nadia stood still on the hill until a breeze came, and the kite lifted into the sky.
The story set up Grandpa's tip about letting the wind do the work, so the best ending uses it. The other choices ignore the tip, bring in magic from nowhere or skip the problem. - 2. Then she flew it and it was good. The end.
It is vague (it was good), it does not say how the problem was solved and it adds The end. The other endings use specific details, a feeling or a line that echoes the story. - 3. At the start she wanted to give up, but now she waited calmly for the wind.
A change in how a character acts or feels is what makes an ending satisfying. The other choices do not compare the beginning with the end. - 4. This time the kite did not flop onto the grass. It sailed over it.
An echo repeats an image or a few words from the opening, now with a different result. The other choices do not connect to the first lines. - 5. Nadia stood still on the hill. A breeze came, and the kite lifted. Sam stopped laughing and asked to hold the string. Nadia smiled and passed it to him. "Wind first," she said.
It solves the problem with Grandpa's tip, shows Sam's change and Nadia's kindness, and ends on a short line. The dragon appears from nowhere, the happy list tells without showing, and the last choice leaves the problem unsolved. - 6. Marcus took one step, then another, until his toes reached the edge. He jumped, splashed and came up laughing while his coach clapped.
The coach's advice (one step at a time) is used to solve the problem, and the ending shows how Marcus feels. The helicopter is a sudden rescue, the second choice quits, and the last is too rushed. - 7. The kite sailed high. Nadia grinned. "Wind first," she told Sam.
A good ending stops soon after the problem is solved, and the last line gives the reader something to remember. The other choices keep going with events that do not matter. - 8. Marcus remembered the coach's advice and took the board one step at a time.
The character uses an idea from the story to solve the problem. In the other choices something sudden and new happens, and Marcus does nothing. - 9. Marcus walked to the end of the board one small step at a time. At the edge he took a breath, bent his knees and jumped.
Answers vary. A strong answer uses the coach's advice, shows actions Marcus takes and does not add magic or a rescue. - 10. Just then a new boy named Theo, who had never been in the story, shouted, "I own this pool!"
Endings should wrap up the story with the people and ideas already there. A brand-new character shouting something sudden adds a new problem instead of finishing the old one. - 11. Marcus took the first step, then the second. At the edge, he held his nose and jumped. The cool water closed over him, and when he came up, he was laughing.
A dream ending takes back everything the character did, so the reader feels cheated. A stronger fix keeps the events real and shows how Marcus solved the problem and how he feels. - 12. Marcus stood tall on the deck and looked back at the board with a big grin.
Action and details show the feeling: standing tall and grinning. The other choices only name the feeling. This uses the same skill as the lesson Show, Don't Just Tell. - 13. Solve the problem with an idea from the story, show how the character feels and end on a line the reader will remember.
Strong endings are focused: they finish the problem, show the change and leave a last image or line. Length, Suddenly and extra characters do not fix a vague ending. - 14. A last line that echoes Grandpa's tip
Wind first echoes Grandpa's tip (Let the wind do the work), which ties the ending back to the story. It is not a new problem, a setting or a hook. - 15. The ending does not solve the problem the story set up.
The problem was getting the kite to fly. An ending that ignores it leaves the reader waiting. Length can be fine and quotation marks and names are not mistakes. - 16. An echo shows the reader how things have changed since the start. It also makes the story feel finished, as if the beginning and the end fit together.
Answers vary. Look for a reason such as showing change, making the story feel complete or giving the reader something to remember. - 17. Ana looked down and saw the cards by her shoes. She picked one up and read her line in a shaky voice. By the last card her voice was steady, and the audience clapped. "Cards first, nerves second," she whispered.
Answers vary. Check that the problem is solved with the cards, that Ana's feeling is shown through actions and that nothing new or magical is added. - 18. The ending solves the problem, but my last line is weak. I will change it to a short line that echoes something from the setup.
Answers vary. A strong answer names one checklist item honestly and says how to fix it. This is self-review, not an automatic score.