Knowing how to end a narrative essay is essential in narrative writing.
A narrative essay tells a compelling story that either entertains, motivates, or educates. Therefore the conclusion of your narrative essay determines the effectiveness of your message. Here are the steps to follow when ending a narrative essay:
Step 1:Project Time Forward
Let’s say the incident occurred five years ago; you are likely to write from the perspective of someone who understands better than before. You can also write from the perspective of someone who is still in disbelief till today.
However, when projecting time forward, use sensory impressions to connote meaning rather than explain the meaning.
For example:
- “Today, I live in New York City. I didn’t take the time to visit my mother near the end of her life, so she died lonely.”- Explains but does not create meaning.
- “Today, I live in New York City. I still remember my mother frantically waving goodbye, both empty hands flailing the air on the day I left her for the last time.”-Connotes meaning without explaining.
Step 2: Final Scene
As an alternative to projecting time forward, the reader is led to a conclusion by a final scene. Therefore use the following descriptions in your last scene:
- Final verbal exchange
- Specific physical action
- Combination of both.
Step 3: Resonate
When concluding your narrative essay, your aim should resonate with the reader rather than dictate. In a nutshell, avoid telling the reader your feelings.
For instance, if you think of a movie about a character who overcomes adversity and emerges in triumph at the end, you will notice that. Nowhere does the director or screenplay writer tell the reader to feel happy. Instead, the characters enact the ending, and we feel so glad.
Henceforth, narrative essays work in the same manner. When the reader concludes, they are transported to specific feelings experienced by the character.
Step 4: Personal Reflection
Reflection is a sturdy genre that describes and analyzes your narrative. Avoid explaining everything to the reader when concluding a narrative essay since answering all questions is impossible.
Like fiction, a narrative essay may imply meaning rather than prescribe solutions.
What is a Narrative Essay?
A narrative essay is a type of academic writing that tells a fascinating and creative story, whether fictional or personal. The writer aims to provide sensory details that capture the reader’s attention and imagination.
A narrative essay about ‘The most memorable day of your life is an example of a narrative essay.
There are five elements of a narrative essay format. They include:
1. Plot
This is the sequence of events that occur in your narrative.
2. Setting
It’s the exact location where the incident occurred.
3. Characters
Characters are people included in your narrative. They can be either central or side characters.
4. Conflict
This is a problem that creates tension in the narrative and needs resolution.
5. Theme
This is the reason for your narrative. The theme creates meaning and explains the purpose of your story.
What Should a Writer Plan Include at the End of Narrative Essays?
When learning how to end a narrative essay, five elements are crucial in your conclusion. For you to compose a good ending, consider the following:
- A description of the setting
- A reflection of what was learned
- Identification of major characters
- Challenges faced during the incident
- How the incident caused a change.
What Is a Good Way to End a Narrative Paragraph?
If you want to know how to end a narrative essay, consider the following tips:
Reflect on What You Learned
Reflection is the first step to explaining the lesson or lessons learned from the experience. It includes:
- Expressing your thoughts or opinions about the incident
- Explaining if different or not, in case a similar incident occurred
- Predicting how the experience will shape or affect your actions in future
- Offer recommendations or advice to readers facing dilemmas.
When writing a personal narrative, your thoughts and opinions are your reflections. In fictional stories, the main character’s reflection is considered.
Analyze the Story’s Significance
The fact that you know how to end a narrative essay does not mean you’re perfect. Therefore, why write the story? What is the reason for the narrative? Why should the reader show interest?
When writing your conclusion, it’s crucial to analyze all the questions and summarize them in your concluding paragraph.
Use Emotions
How to end a narrative essay includes lyric language and sensory impressions. Do you feel emotions such as regret, humiliation, humour, or gratitude when you remember the consequences of your actions? How do you relate with a reader facing the same problem?
If it’s a personal narrative, express your feelings when reflecting and analyzing your narrative. In fictional narratives, the character’s emotions are incorporated.
Present the Moral
Your concluding paragraph should convey the message. The moral of the story should include the elements of reflection, analysis and emotions.
Conclude with dialogue that is a final verbal exchange
A final direct dialogue gives your story credibility and creativity.
Show Don’t Tell
Relate your characters through actions and sensory details rather than exposition. The aim is to allow the reader to experience or feel the main character’s emotions.
Personal reflection
Your reflection includes your thoughts, opinions, and lessons learned to form your experiences. Remember that the reader is expecting to hear your final say on the matter.
Types of conclusions for narratives
There are four three types of conclusions that apply to narratives. They include:
Embedded
This conclusion marks the end of the chronological order of events.
Retrospective
A retrospective conclusion requires the narrator to reflect on past events.
Reflective
This type of essay consists of different themes, lessons and perspectives of the writer. The aim is primarily to persuade the reader to consider broader perspectives.
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