JayChesser

     The last set of pages dealt with endings and titles for students' work.  Many students leave the reader hanging at the very end.  Most students have a stronger middle part to their writing.  But the beginning and ending of their stories do not measure up to the quality of the middle. 

     The authors provide several examples to end a story.  Students should experiment with endings.  As a teacher cited in the book states, "we must leave one room first before we can enter another".  One of the suggestions calls for a  circular ending.  Here a story circles back to the way it began.  It loops around.  Emotional endings are another option.  Students have emotional experiences both good and bad in their lives.   They can tap into this resource when they are writing.  Of course a negative aspect to this type of writing is that not all students are going to feel comfortable sharing their experiences.  This type of ending may take some time to perfect.  Surprise endings are also a good way to end a writing.  Surprise ending tend to be harder, but are usually enjoyed by the reader.   The ending of a story is the last thing that echoes in the ear of a reader.  The ending needs to be as strong as the middle of the writing.    Endings are a vital part of student writing.

     Equally important according to the authors are the titles that our students put at the top of their writing.  A title invites the reader into the story and sets the tone for what will follow. Titles are like a doorway into the world of the writer.   Students should be encouraged to revisit the title when the writing is complete.  By asking if this is a good doorway, writers may find a title that is more inviting to the story.  Some students tell the story in the title itself.  Students simply tell too much.  If we can encourage our writers to tell less in the title, then what happens in the story will be more of a surprise for the reader.  

     I really enjoyed this book.  I plan on referring back to it over the next couple of weeks and for years to come.  The craft lessons bring it down to a student's level of thinking while giving teachers a hint as to what to say to our students.