Someone asked a question about endings on another writing forum I hang out at, and it got me thinking, what kinds of endings are there? This goes along with the disjunctions thread I made a while ago, which listed a lot of kinds of beginnings. So I'm going to list some general types of endings, and I would appreciate it if you all would add any additional one you can think of. Also feel free to ask any questions or share any theories you have about endings so we can get some discussion going about them. Types of endings: Destructive Endings - A problem which has been insoluble throughout the story is solved by destroying some of the pieces. The world ends. All the major characters die, but the rest of the world goes on. The major villain dies or other source of evil is destroyed or sealed. Transformative Endings - A problem which has been insoluble throughout the story is solved by changing the rules. Unable to find happiness in one place, a character changes that place until it provides happiness. Unable to find happiness as a creature of one type, a character is transformed to a creature of a different type. The solution to the mystery is found when a previous assumption is discovered to have been wrong. Constructive Endings - A problem which has been insoluble throughout the story is solved by the appearance of something new. Research yields a revolutionary discovery. Work or competition earns a prize. A period of turmoil is revealed to have been the emergence of a new better era from the old. A marriage and/or the conception or birth of a child. Having finally learned a lesson, a character takes a better approach or attitude.

Quote: Original post by sunandshadow
Transformative Endings - A problem which has been insoluble throughout the story is solved by changing the rules.
Unable to find happiness in one place, a character changes that place until it provides happiness.
Unable to find happiness as a creature of one type, a character is transformed to a creature of a different type.
The solution to the mystery is found when a previous assumption is discovered to have been wrong.

You're forgetting a very common example: The bad guy turns out to be good after all.

The no-ending: This is really a type of constructive ending if viewed in a certain light, but it's got a strong identity about it. The characters in the story continue in their current line without actually hoping to solve a problem; they instead accept that the problem they've been dealing with can only be grappled with endlessly.

Mysterious Endings - The problem is simply postponed to the sequel.
A mysterious guy in a blue suit whisks you away.
The one guy who could actually explain anything dies in the final battle.
The game just stops with some epic finale that has no relevance to or effect on the actual plotline.

The cliff-hanger.
For when you know you want to make a sequel. [wink]
(or the story has got so twisted that it's impossible to think of a way out)

Edit: Damnit Promit!

John B

Stupid Endings

One title explains these type of ending perfectly: Matrix Revolutions