Does it happen often that you sit with your child for writing practice, and they complain that they’re not able to finish the write-up properly? Well, it’s more common for students to struggle with conclusion writing than you’d think. They might write a well-articulated story, but in the end, they’ll get caught up in the question, “How to end a narrative piece for a selective school exam?” Initially, you might think that they’ll learn to write it eventually, but what if they don’t?
Not being able to wrap up a writing piece can cost students crucial marks in competitive exams like the Selective High School Placement Test. However, it can be difficult for students to learn it so easily.
If you're wondering how to help your child master this part of the exam, you're in the right place! In this blog, we'll explore the importance of narrative writing in selective school exams and offer some practical tips for crafting a strong, memorable conclusion. Let’s begin!
Importance of Narrative Writing in Selective School Exams
Before getting into how to write a great conclusion, it’s essential to understand why narrative writing is so important in selective school exams. Narrative writing isn't just about telling a story; it’s an opportunity for students to show their creativity, writing skills, and problem-solving abilities. Here’s why it matters:
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Assessing Creativity and Expression
Selective school exams often test a student's ability to think creatively and express themselves through writing. A narrative allows students to demonstrate their imagination, how they develop characters, and how they build a compelling story.
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Test of Writing Skills
Writing a narrative also allows students to showcase their grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary skills, which are critical components of academic success. It’s a holistic test of their writing abilities.
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Problem-Solving Ability
In crafting a narrative, students are required to think critically about the structure of the story, from the conflict to the resolution. This process tests their ability to approach problems logically and creatively.
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Showcasing Emotional Intelligence
Narrative writing often requires students to explore human emotions, experiences, and relationships. It's a chance for them to display empathy and emotional insight, which are necessary skills for exams as well as in life.
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Helps in Overall Performance
Narrative writing can significantly impact a student’s overall writing score, which often carries substantial weight in selective school exams. A strong conclusion can be the key to a high mark.
All right! Now that you know why narrative writing is important, let’s move ahead and look at some useful tips for writing better conclusions in the narrative writing section of the selective school exam.
Also Read: Using Sample Test Papers Effectively for Selective Exams
7 Tips to Write Better Narrative Writing Conclusion
A strong narrative conclusion should bring the story to a satisfying close by tying up loose ends and resolving the central conflict. Let’s check out some tips with which you can help your little writer.
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Understand the Prompt and Story Context
One of the first things your child should do when approaching a narrative exam prompt is to understand it fully. The conclusion needs to tie back to the main events or themes established in the prompt and story.
It’s easy to get carried away with new ideas in the excitement of writing, but the conclusion should focus on wrapping up what’s already been established. Encourage your child to briefly recap the most important points of the story and connect them to the conclusion. This way, the reader feels like everything has come full circle.
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Reflect the Growth of Characters or Situation
In a strong narrative, characters grow and change. Whether your child’s story is about a challenge, a life lesson, or a personal triumph, the conclusion should reflect this change.
For example, if the protagonist starts out feeling uncertain or scared but ends up brave and confident, the conclusion should highlight this growth. It’s an excellent opportunity for your child to show how far the character has come and why that journey matters. This gives the story depth and helps to leave the reader with a satisfying sense of closure.
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Create a Satisfying Closure
A good narrative should feel complete by the end. Think of it as a puzzle where every piece should fit together. The conclusion should resolve the main conflict or problem that was introduced at the beginning of the story.
While it’s tempting to rush through the ending, the conclusion needs to tie everything up nicely. There’s no need for long explanations or last-minute twists. Your child should aim for a closure that feels satisfying and final without leaving any major loose ends.
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Leave Room for Reflection
While a satisfying closure is key, it's also important to leave the reader with something to think about. A reflective ending encourages deeper thought and can make the story linger in the reader’s mind after they’ve finished.
A reflective moment can be subtle; for example, perhaps the protagonist learns something new or comes to a realization about themselves. This gives the story an emotional depth that makes it more meaningful.
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Use Strong, Impactful Sentences
The last few sentences of the narrative are often the most important. Your child should aim to end the story with a memorable line that sticks with the reader.
This doesn't mean the ending needs to be dramatic or overly complex, but a well-crafted sentence can leave a powerful impression. It could be a thought-provoking statement, a surprising twist, or a simple reflection on the story's theme. The key is to make the ending feel impactful, not just a way to "wrap things up."
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Practice Economy of Words
In a timed exam, it's easy for students to get caught up in writing too much or too little. The conclusion, in particular, needs to be concise. It should bring everything to a close without unnecessary details or repetition.
Encourage your child to be clear and direct in their conclusion. A powerful ending doesn't require pages of writing; just a few carefully chosen sentences will do the trick.
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Check for Emotional Resonance
A good narrative conclusion should leave an emotional mark. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, relief, or inspiration, your child’s conclusion should connect with the reader on an emotional level.
Ask your child to reflect on what kind of emotion they want their reader to feel at the end. By using the right tone, pacing, and word choice, they can ensure the conclusion resonates with the reader and delivers the emotional payoff they’ve been building throughout the story.
Before we wrap up, here are some common mistakes made by students which can be easily avoided. Let’s take a closer look.
Also Read: Selective School Test: Sample Persuasive and Creative Writing Prompts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When helping your child with narrative writing, it's important to be aware of a few common mistakes that can weaken the conclusion. These pitfalls can leave the reader feeling unsatisfied or confused. Here’s what to avoid:
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Overusing Clichés
Avoid predictable endings like "It was all a dream" or "And they lived happily ever after." These clichés can make the story feel unoriginal. Encourage your child to create a unique conclusion that ties back to the story's themes and characters in a fresh way.
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Abrupt or Forced Endings
A conclusion should flow naturally from the story and not feel rushed or disconnected. Help your child avoid ending too suddenly, as this can leave the reader feeling unsettled. The conclusion should feel like a satisfying resolution, not an afterthought.
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Introducing New Problems
The conclusion should resolve the main conflict, not introduce new issues. Adding fresh problems at the end can confuse the reader and prevent the story from feeling complete. Ensure the conclusion provides closure to the main storyline.
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Being Too Vague
A vague ending can feel unsatisfying. While leaving some things to the imagination is fine, make sure the conclusion is clear enough to give the reader a sense of closure. Teach kids that it should tie up the story’s main ideas without leaving too much ambiguity.
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Repeating or Over-Explaining
Avoid repeating parts of the story or over-explaining in the conclusion. This can make it feel redundant or drawn out. Encourage your child to keep it concise, reinforcing key ideas without unnecessary repetition.
Wrapping it Up!
There you go! Wrapping up a narrative is an essential skill that can make all the difference in your child’s selective school exam. At the same time, it might seem like a small part of the writing process, but a strong conclusion can leave a lasting impression and help them score higher. With the right tips and a little practice, your child can learn to craft conclusions that tie up the story, reflect the character's growth, offer a sense of closure, and resonate emotionally with the reader.
If you’re looking for additional support and expert guidance to help your child improve their writing skills, the FunFox Writers Club offers customized workshops and writing classes to help students thrive in their exams. With a team of experienced educators, FunFox can provide the extra boost your child needs to refine their narrative writing and ace their exams.
Book a call with us today to see how we can help your child become a confident and skilled writer!
