We’ve all heard the expression “Well begun is half done.”
Openings are critical to grab and retain your audience any time you are telling a story, making a presentation or giving a speech. However it is only half the job!
Andrew Stanton, writer and director of multiple Pixar movies, makes the case that the ending is the most important part of your story. In fact by stating “Storytelling is joke telling,” he argues that every element in your story is all about working up to the ending as in the punchline in a joke.
Here are five steps that Stanton outlines to have great endings that make your storytelling memorable. Unsurprisingly in begins at the beginning.
Make a promise Every good story should make a promise to the audience, setting expectations for the direction and resolution. These promises establish a foundation for the eventual ending. Stanton cites the case of how the movie John Carter opens, with the butler presenting John Carter a puzzle. The Star Wars opening scene with “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” scrawling up is such a promise.
Fulfill your promise As the story progresses, it’s crucial to fulfill the promises made to the audience. Coherence and consistency are key, ensuring that plot developments and character arcs align with the initial promises. From Pride and Prejudice to Finding Nemo we see how authors keep their promises.
Surprise with your ending The best endings strike a balance between surprise and inevitability. They catch the audience off guard, yet feel like the natural culmination of the story. Foreshadowing and payoff throughout the narrative are vital for achieving this balance. Who and what are Luke and Darth Vader to each other?
Work backwards Stanton suggests working backwards from the desired ending. By plotting out the necessary steps and developments, storytellers can ensure that each narrative element serves the ultimate purpose of leading towards that conclusion. Keeping the Freytag Pyramid (or story structure) in mind can help with this.
Make me care As science shows us (and Aristotle did a couple of millennia ago) emotions change our brain chemistry and actions in the real world. Endings should have emotional resonance with the audience. Whether it’s triumph, tragedy, redemption, or reconciliation, the ending should evoke genuine emotional reactions and leave a lasting impact.
You can hear Andrew Stanton’s full talk in the video below.
Putting it into action
How will you end your stories?
How have you seen others end their stories well? Or not?
Share your thoughts and comments below.
