Ending Your Article in a Way That Satisfies Readers
For reader satisfaction make sure your article has an ending or conclusion.
For any published article there is a two way relationship between the writer and the reader. Being able to submit online content has revolutionized the way many writers write. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of articles are published online daily. Readers expect to find a quick, easy to read article on any subject they’re interested in. Writers have a ready made market. It’s a pity many writers let themselves down by not following the basic writing structure of beginning, middle and ending or conclusion.
While there are many well written articles available for eager readers, many writers fail to provide reader satisfaction because of one missing element in their work. That missing part is often the conclusion, the way in which the article ends.
One doesn’t have to be a trained writer to think back to the basic writing structure taught in schools. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, all writing should follow a simple structure. That structure should consist of a beginning, a middle and an ending. I am constantly amazed at how, when reading an article I’m enjoying, it suddenly comes to an abrupt halt. No finishing off, no summarising, no challenging the reader to think more deeply. Once the basic facts or ideas have been presented, many writers simply stop.
There are several ways in which writers can bring articles to a close. I am not a trained writer, therefore these are my perceptions only. The following two suggestions are hints I’ve learned from reading the quality work others have written. They are also hints I’ve learned from poorly ended articles, leaving me feeling as if I’ve fallen overboard and will never make it to shore. I don’t like the idea of being left out at sea, but want the writer to bring my reading journey to a safe end or conclusion.
The best way I know of to conclude an article, is to make reference back to the point made at the beginning. You’ve started out by making a statement, you’ve written the body of your article by proving that statement, so why not round the article off nicely by giving it a conclusion that refers back to your original point. Even a sentence or two rounding off is better than an abrupt halt.
There are times when you may want to appeal to the writer to think more seriously about what you’ve written. Cast out a challenge to the reader, inviting them to take particular action, or put your advice into practice. Ending your article in this way gives the reader a closer connection with what you’ve written.
Are you giving your readers satisfaction when it comes to the ending of your piece, or are you abandoning your readers before their journey is over? Before you submit your next piece of work, spend time considering your conclusion. Does it round up all the points you’ve made in the body of your article? Does it invite the reader to think further about what you’ve said and to take particular action?
Please don’t run out of things to say, then stop. Take your readers safely to the journey’s conclusion. You’ll find that more readers return to read your work on an ongoing basis if you structure your articles, giving them a satisfactory ending or conclusion.
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August 23rd, 2010 at 5:03 am
well thought out and reasoned arguments and of course with a nice conclusion.Thanks for sharing.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:12 am
Absolutely vital tips Val. The next time I publish an article, I would like you to analyze its overall structure. Your comment would be appreciated.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 am
Great topic! I try to end my articles or poems by ending with a special thought from myself. Love this article. All writers should take this great article to heart.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 am
I’ll have to keep in mind the importance of a proper conclusion in future writings. Thank you!
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 am
This is good food for thought that all writers should really think about when writing articles and eBooks too. It all begins with your planning what you want to share with your audience.
In that aspect, I would be considered a very poor writer because I don’t start with an outline. I don’t put my planning to paper in the form of an outline; but yes, I do end with a conclusion. It doesn’t have to be a long drawn-out conclusion.
Val is right – don’t leave the reader hanging. Gently remind them what your goal was in the beginning of the article, your key points throughout the article, and then do your slam dunk in offering up a tidbit that your reader most certainly must follow up on – contemplate more about this piece of art (yes, I think good writers are artists – we all weave and mold), take action, pass the information along, etc.
Sorry about the long comment Val. In summary I would like to offer up this word of wisdom – don’t omit the conclusion.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
Excellent tips for writers. I agree, it is so unsatisfying when a writer gives you several good points about a topic.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:25 am
My hat is off to you for this outstanding article. I was taught you need a hook or good beginning to catch your reader and a good finish to round out the story or article. I agree there are many writers here who don’t know how to do that. To be honest I can usually get the hook but the ending for most of my writing takes work and a lot of thought. I find I rewrite the ending several times.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 am
This is an educational one Val. I sometimes do the beginning line first, then the ending, before I fill in the middle part. Ideas just come to me in this manner and I feel better after the piece is completed.
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:05 am
That’s something I will have to give a thought from now on. It’s easy to lose focus when we don’t utilize the basic structure.:)
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Very well written article. You made me think. From now on, I’ll make sure I end my article in a more convincing and satisfying tone.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Great ideas. I think I always forget to add an ending.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Long but interesting article, thanks for sharing.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:57 pm
great post
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:23 pm
A thoughtful post friend. Many writers will benefit from this piece of advice.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
The last line is the hardest.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Very true. At the end readers should feel like they got something out of the article, and enjoyed it, too. Sometimes reading through the article once more helps me write the conclusion.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:22 pm
A fact that put into nice words to make writers think again.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
You have very good advice here. An example would have been nice to show people what you mean in case they still do not get it.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Sometimes I have difficulty closing an article. Good tips.
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I love reading your articles. They are very insightful and give me a lot of advice on my writing!
August 24th, 2010 at 12:38 am
You’ve pointed out a very essential thing to writing. And it made me really think about the way I write. I suddenly had the urge to check my articles if I did what you just discussed. Nevertheless, I will keep this in mind for future writings. Very helpful indeed! Thank you.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Val, I think we have so much in common. You have expressed this so well that I wouldn’t add anything, not even a full stop.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:03 am
Very true. Reading your article was a pleasure. Thanks.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:23 am
I totally agree with you. It takes me back to the many really interesting stories written by children at school which would invariably end with ‘I went home, had my tea and went to bed.’
The teacher has really come out of you in this instructive article.
Christine
August 24th, 2010 at 6:32 am
very good advice Val.
Reminds me of “and they live happily ever after”…
For me, if I write short story, I usually end it with “Moral of the story”. Btw, I have just written something with a conclusion too, haha.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:39 am
I got to learn a lot from this.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Verisimilitude is how most ‘western hemisphere’ stories end else they alienate the reader, whom may not return for subsequent works of the same author.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:48 am
I sincerely hope that I don’t leave my readers hanging when it comes to my articles. I try not to at any rate.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Thanks for bringing to our attention this issue.
August 24th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Very nice, thanks for sharing
August 25th, 2010 at 11:03 am
am glad 2 be a part of Triond. i hope it will be fun doing this.
August 25th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
You know what, Val, I conclude my article all the time! This article is a great reminder to keep doing it!
August 25th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Great advice. I wonder how far I follow. I do get tired sometimes writing out all the points, and also by the research and hard work i put into my writing, so when the end comes, I just drop dead!!
August 26th, 2010 at 4:51 am
Hi Val, That was a good piece of advice. Your two main tips of how to conclude an article was a very valuable point. Since i am a new writer i have taken them very seriously. I am going to follow these in my next articles.
Thanks for sharing.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:21 am
I love a good ending to an article I try to leave it with something memorable.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
thanks for the good tips,it helps me a lot as a new writer
August 27th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
You’re absolutely right about some articles finishing off abruptly.
It’s extremely unsatisfying and frustrating as a reader, especially if you were enjoying the beginning and middle, to feel as if there was no real point behind the writing since there isn’t decent conclusion.
And yes, school has taught me that all conclusions should restate the main idea of the piece which was likely mentioned in the introduction. Thanks for sharing this, hopefully it will help others who may have been falling short improve their endings.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Good point, some times it is so easy to forget to have a summary at the end.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:19 am
highly appreciative
September 4th, 2010 at 5:03 am
Another fine piece of writing and tips cheers