--- ## Highlights Try Stephen King’s Revision Process ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/23ae174e-9a11-465f-b514-e96e6d38bc51)) “What is the next thing the reader needs to know?” ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/be56ef70-ceae-4f52-9ac7-6de3f0c6d25d)) Consistent ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/7972dff9-c77a-4100-8c35-25b3199cf9f2)) Main idea: ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/020e6a23-e508-4298-9154-5dac20024196)) 1. The Lesson Learned: If the purpose of your essay is to share a new understanding or realization, try ending with the lesson you learned. But be sure not to preach or talk down to your reader when relaying the lesson. 2. The Lyric Moment: This is an ending that uses a poetic structure of words, repetition, or meter to create a lyrical effect. For example, Don Tate ended his book with the lines, "George's love of words had taken him on a great journey. Words made him strong. Words allowed him to dream. Words loosened the chains of bondage long before his last day as a slave." The repetition of “words” at the start of each sentence creates a lyrical pace and poetic effect. 3. The Open Ending: This is the kind of ending that is up to the reader’s interpretation. There are multiple ways your reader could understand the ending, usually leaving her with questions. 4. The Circle Back: In this ending, your ending connects back to the beginning of your piece. This makes your writing feel complete, even if you didn’t provide any kind of solution or lesson. 5. The Abrupt Ending: This ending occurs after building the momentum of your piece. You end your piece unexpectedly, rather than gradually drawing it to a close. But be careful when using this ending—your piece shouldn’t feel unfinished. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/60d1c648-5a6e-43a5-b0c6-2adf85ef7a98)) - 💭 ending a story