As authors, we give a lot of attention to our openings—where to start the story, polishing the first pages—because they’re important for pulling readers in. But what about endings, particularly chapter endings?
Chapters are necessary because they break the text into chunks and make it more manageable for readers. The problem is that chapter endings create natural stopping points. And as much as we can, we want readers to keep reading beyond that white space. Luckily, there are things we can do when writing those endings (and choosing where to put them) that will heighten interest and create emotional momentum, encouraging readers to keep turning pages.
I’d like to share 11 kinds of chapter endings (because variety is important, too) that you can incorporate into your story. They fall into three categories, starting with a highly effective one that we’re all familiar with.
Cliffhangers
When you think about memorable chapter endings, this is probably what comes to mind. Cliffhangers are usually big, dramatic, unexpected moments that shock or surprise the reader—then the chapter ends. No way are they going to stop reading now. There are two ways you can end your chapter to achieve this effect.
1. With a Bang
These spectacular moments are highly sensory: an explosion, a car crash, someone bursting on the scene covered in blood and collapsing in a heap.
2. Revelation
These events, while quieter from a sensory point of view, are no less sensational. This is where the detective discovers the killer’s identity, an affair comes to light, a pregnancy is announced, or a family secret is exposed.
Cliffhangers like these are super effective at keeping readers hooked, but their melodramatic nature is a double-edged sword. They simply don’t happen too often to the same person in a short period of time. So consider the kind of story you’re writing. Thrillers, action, and even post-apocalyptic stories can hold the weight of multiple cliffhangers, but if you’re writing in quieter genre that will be undermined by too much drama, use these chapter endings sparingly.
Raised Tension & Piqued Interest
The chapter endings in this category are lower-level versions of cliffhangers. They’re not super dramatic, but they do ramp up tension or increase the reader’s interest, often by incorporating an emotional shift just when the chapter is coming to a close.
3. Hint of Danger
Nothing major actually happens, but a threat is verbalized or restated, reinforcing for readers that danger is approaching. The emotional tone ticks up a notch—not much, but enough to contribute to forward momentum and keep readers engaged.
4. Something Unexpected
Here we have an event or announcement that readers didn’t see coming. It could be good or bad or uncertain. As an example, see this ominous “unexpected something” related by Scout Finch at the end of chapter four in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Atticus’s arrival was the second reason I wanted to quit the game. The first reason happened the day I rolled into the Radley front yard. Through all the head-shaking, quelling of nausea and Jem-yelling, I had heard another sound, so low I could not have heard it from the sidewalk. Someone inside the house was laughing.
5. Emotionally on Edge
When emotion is written well, the character’s feelings will translate to the reader, and they’ll feel some of of what the character is experiencing. A character being unsettled, uncertain, conflicted, or concerned at the end of a chapter—especially when they didn’t start out that way—pulls readers along on that emotional journey. The emotional shift means things are happening, and that momentum is good for keeping readers hooked.
6. An Abrupt Announcement
Sometimes reader intrigue rises because of how the author presents new information at the close of a chapter. This is where a stylistic choice can play to your favor. A good example of this can be found in The Book Thief. The Hubermann family, struggling to make ends meet during the war, has recently discovered that they can barter for food, clothes, and even books with cigarettes.
A few nights later, Hans Hubermann came home with a box of eggs. “Sorry, Mama.” He placed them on the table. “They were all out of shoes.“
Mama didn’t complain.
She even sang to herself while she cooked those eggs to the brink of burndom. It appeared that there was great joy in cigarettes, and it was a happy time in the Hubermann household.
It ended a few weeks later.
BONUS: Notice how this ending technique is paired with Emotionally on Edge to great effect.
7. The Promise of an Answer
In this ending, readers are told at the end of the chapter that the answer to a mystery or anticipated question is about to be given. All they have to do to see it is turn the page.
Hazel watched the mouse make off into the long grass. Then he returned to the Honeycomb and settled down near Holly, who had just begun to speak. ~Watership Down
Scene Endings
Now, it should be said that scenes and chapters are two different things. The story is made up of scenes that each have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Chapters, on the other hand, are used to define the story’s layout rather than its structure. Instead of adhering to a certain formula, the end of each chapter is arbitrarily determined by the author, a choice that depends largely on style. This means that chapter and scene endings don’t always (or even often) align. Cliffhangers tend to break in the middle of a scene.
But sometimes the two do come together. Sometimes, the best way to mark the conclusion of a scene is with the end of a chapter. When this happens, it tends to be somewhat quiet because the end of the scene isn’t where new information or complications are introduced.
This low-level wrap-up is good because mixing things up is good. If every chapter ends with a gun going off or a monster bursting out of the cellar, the shock value wears off and it all starts to feel contrived. And, emotionally, scenes can end on an up (happy, contented) or down (sad, worried) beat, so tying scene and chapter endings together can provide this additional variety along with an ebb and flow that satisfies readers.
8. Closure/Comfort
This up ending shows the character happy, contented, or at rest. A low-intensity finish like this breaks up other high-intensity endings and provides a great contrast for readers, who just might be ready for a rest themselves.
Suddenly, he produced a large basket from under the seat. “I was nearly forgetting,” he said. “Mrs. Maggot put this up for Mr. Baggins, with her compliments.” He handed it down and moved off, followed by a chorus of thanks and good-nights. They watched the pale rings of light round his lanterns as they dwindled into the foggy night. Suddenly Frodo laughed: from the covered basket he held, the scent of mushrooms was rising. ~The Fellowship of the Ring
9. Bedtime
Sometimes, a character simply needs a nap—or to collapse in exhaustion. Not surprising, considering everything you’ve put them through. Whether they slip into a deep and replenishing sleep or one that’s fitful and restless is up to you and the needs of your story. This is a tried and true way to close out a chapter, but it’s common enough to become clichéd because it’s easy. So be strategic with this one and don’t overuse it.
10. Goodbye
In certain situations, the scene ends with someone leaving—a location, another person, a situation or habit, or even life itself.
Inman rose and dressed in his new clothes. He added his Bartram scroll to the knapsack; then he strapped on his packs and went to the tall open window and looked out. It was the dark of the new moon. Ribbons of fog moved low on the ground though the sky was clear overhead. He set his foot on the sill and stepped out the window. ~Cold Mountain
11. A New Beginning
Ok, so this one’s kind of a cheat. Basically, you show the characters moving into the next scene at the end of the chapter instead of on the next page. This works well because readers have technically started reading the new scene (or you’ve at least hinted at it), and they may be more inclined to keep going because they want to se what happens next.
“Everybody in!” called Mr. Arable. He started the motor. The ladies climbed in beside him. Mr. Zuckerman and Lurvy and Fern and Avery rode in back, hanging onto the sideboard. The truck began to move ahead. The geese cheered. The children answered their cheer, and away went everybody to the fair. ~Charlotte’s Web
There are so many ways—subtle and not subtle—to keep readers plowing through those pesky chapter endings. Another way to amp them up is by using tried-and-true literary techniques to add depth and intrigue. Tune in on July 7th to see more on how to use symbolism, contrast, irony, and other methods to carefully craft the close of each chapter into something the reader doesn’t want to end.
What other kinds of chapter endings have you used or seen that aren’t on this short list?
Summary for Busy Writers: Chapter endings are one of the most powerful tools for maintaining reader engagement because they create natural decision points where readers choose whether to keep going. By varying your endings—using cliffhangers, emotional tension, unanswered questions, unexpected developments, and quieter moments of closure—you can create authentic momentum that encourages readers to keep turning pages.
