Do you always summarize the end of your article?
By Jellen
@Jellen (1852)
United States
March 11, 2009 10:09am CST
Do you always retell what you told, or do you come up with a more creative way to end your articles or written pieces? Writers are told to conclude in such a way.
But as a reader, I know I can usually anticipate a general rewrite or recap of what I just read, written in the final paragraph. Sometimes it bores me to read the thesis restated or the paper summarized at the end.
I prefer to read a closing that makes the points of the paper practical to me or challenges me to do or try something new.
How do you end your written pieces? As a reader what closing do you prefer?
3 responses
@ErrollLeVant (4353)
• United States
11 Mar 09
I seldom reiterate. I prefer to try to make some application, or encourage the reader to run with their own thoughts!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
12 Mar 09
Very much depends on the kind of articles I'm writing. For coursework at tertiary levels, we must have a couple of concluding paragraphs. Basically to make a stand, like to support or not support. At least the lecturer know our stand on the issue.
For "how to" articles, the ending paragraph should urge readers to take action.
I try to end on a happier, positive notes for all my articles.
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
12 Mar 09
Thanks for your comment scheng1. I believe in ending on the positive note too.
I'm looking at online writing and wondering if it is any different than writing off-line or if readers have any other expectations out of an online piece than whay they've come to expect out of a printed article.
@abanerji (1026)
• India
11 Mar 09
well, it depends on the type of piece you are writing. if its a story then i like to end it with an anti climax.
if it is a poem then i try to end it with the most touching or thoughtful words
or if it is soe article, then i leave the end with something that readers keep thinkng about.
as a reader, i love to read thought provoking conclusions.
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
11 Mar 09
To write for SEO, you almost always want the keywords in the ending, so that often means a summary. But then that is so typical.
Sometimes I will read the end of a piece early to see what the author should have told me or wanted me to get out of the piece.
