Resolution of a Story: How to Write the Resolution of a Story

The resolution of a story is the conclusion of a story’s plot. Also known as the denouement, the resolution is a literary term for the final plot points that occur after a story’s climax and falling action. A resolution can be a scene or series of scenes that tie a narrative arc together near the end of the story.

Although stories resolve in a wide variety of ways, consider some of the traditional elements of a satisfying story resolution.

1. 1. The story’s main conflicts are resolved. Stories typically conclude with the resolution of a central conflict. This central conflict between the protagonist and antagonist usually comes to a head during the climax of the story and gets resolved by the end.
2. 2. The character arcs are completed. Throughout a story, the main character typically embarks on a series of challenges that transform them from beginning to end. Resolution is the part of the story where the main character comes to terms with their new internal, external, or philosophical revelations.
3. 3. Lingering questions are answered. Although many stories end with ambiguous plot points, the resolution often ties up major loose ends and resolves subplots with minor characters.

To learn more about how stories resolve, explore the endings of these literary examples.

1. 1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925): Fitzgerald’s novel resolves after a tragic climax ushers in the narrator’s new perspective on the setting and characters of the story.
2. 2. “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm (1812): This folktale concludes with a happy ending for the main character, Cinderella, and a catastrophic ending for her antagonistic stepsisters.
3. 3. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (1597): In the final scene of the play, the families of the deceased Romeo and Juliet agree to end their family feud. This dynamic resolution includes a tragic ending for the main characters and a redemptive ending for the secondary characters.
4. 4. “Master and Man” by Leo Tolstoy (1895): Tolstoy concludes his short story with a brief summary of the remaining days of a peasant’s life after surviving the harrowing events of the main plot.

To write a strong resolution to your story, consider the following tips.

1. 1. Identify your genre. Different genres contain different kinds of expectations for the resolution of a story. Research the genre you’re writing and familiarize yourself with any tropes so you can confirm or subvert them in your resolution.
2. 2. Wrap up your plot. Identify unanswered questions and loose ends throughout your story. Use resolution to reveal mysterious plot points and pay off narrative setups from the beginning of the story.
3. 3. Resolve your main character’s arc. The resolution is a great place to highlight how your protagonist has changed throughout the story. To better understand how to conclude your main character’s arc, develop their needs, desires, and weaknesses.
4. 4. Clarify your story’s theme. Pinpoint your story’s thematic question and use it as a guiding light for your resolution. Use your ending to reinforce your story’s central theme.
5. 5. Experiment with different resolution styles. There are nearly endless ways you can resolve your story. Try several styles and techniques to discover the right conclusion for your narrative. For example, if you’re writing a fantasy series, an unresolved ending with a cliffhanger may suit your story better than a traditional resolution.

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