Previously, I explained the significance of endings in a story and what reactions they trigger on a neural level. These next two types of endings are as important as the previous ones discussed, which were the happy and cliffhanger endings. A well-constructed ending is important in effectively closing a good story and solidifying it as a truly great story.

The third ending is the twist ending. Named for its unexpected nature, the twist ending sees characters off in an unexpected way. Often by a lead character suddenly dying or another sudden development. In almost all cases, this twist ending has characteristics of a cliffhanger. What sets it apart, however, is that twist endings are usually always extreme, while cliffhangers can be moderate, like foreseeing a future fight, but never actually depicting it. Twist endings always leave the readers with a burst of fear from their amygdala. Readers often fear for the fate of the characters due to the empathizing that takes place between the reader and the character.

The fourth and last ending, but definitely not the least, is the sad ending. This ending breaks all traditional norms and sees the main character fail to achieve their goal and accept their fate. In most cases, this results in the main character’s death, along with several other characters, as the villain wins. This ending is virtually nonexistent in children’s books, as many authors don’t want to expose children to endings that may make them feel upset. Many dystopian novels employ this ending as a logical conclusion. They often reflect real life aspects of not being able to change an existing system. A good example is the film Knowing by Ryne Douglas Pierson. The ending is tragic and not what you’d expect, as the main character accepts his fate. 

In conclusion, these endings are pivotal for a good story structure, allow the reader to process the release of chemicals within their brain that arise from reading the story, and provide a logical conclusion for the story.