What Is the Resolution of a Story?

The resolution of a story is the conclusion of a story’s plot. Also known as the denouement, the resolution is a literary
term for the final plot points that occur after a story’s climax and falling action. A resolution can be a scene or series of
scenes that tie a narrative arc together near the end of the story.

3 Key Elements of a Satisfying Story Resolution

1. The story’s main conflicts are resolved. Stories typically conclude with the resolution of a central conflict.
This central conflict between the protagonist and antagonist usually comes to a head during the climax of the
story and gets resolved by the end.

2. The character arcs are completed. Throughout a story, the main character typically embarks on a series of
challenges that transform them from beginning to end. Resolution is the part of the story where the main
character comes to terms with their new internal, external, or philosophical revelations.

3. Lingering questions are answered. Although many stories end with ambiguous plot points, the resolution
often ties up major loose ends and resolves subplots with minor characters.

4 Examples of Resolutions in Different Forms of Writing

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925): Fitzgerald’s novel resolves after a tragic climax ushers in
the narrator’s new perspective on the setting and characters of the story.

2. “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm (1812): This folktale concludes with a happy ending for the main
character, Cinderella, and a catastrophic ending for her antagonistic stepsisters.

3. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (1597): In the final scene of the play, the families of the
deceased Romeo and Juliet agree to end their family feud. This dynamic resolution includes a tragic ending
for the main characters and a redemptive ending for the secondary characters.
4. “Master and Man” by Leo Tolstoy (1895): Tolstoy concludes his short story with a brief summary of the
remaining days of a peasant’s life after surviving the harrowing events of the main plot.
How to Write a Strong Resolution
To write a strong resolution to your story, consider the following tips.

1. Identify your genre. Different genres contain different kinds of expectations for the resolution of a story.
Research the genre you’re writing and familiarize yourself with any tropes so you can confirm or subvert them
in your resolution.

2. Wrap up your plot. Identify unanswered questions and loose ends throughout your story. Use resolution to
reveal mysterious plot points and pay off narrative setups from the beginning of the story.

3. Resolve your main character’s arc. The resolution is a great place to highlight how your protagonist has
changed throughout the story. To better understand how to conclude your main character’s arc, develop their
needs, desires, and weaknesses.

4. Clarify your story’s theme. Pinpoint your story’s thematic question and use it as a guiding light for your
resolution. Use your ending to reinforce your story’s central theme.
5. Experiment with different resolution styles. There are nearly endless ways you can resolve your story.
Try several styles and techniques to discover the right conclusion for your narrative. For example, if you’re
writing a fantasy series, an unresolved ending with a cliffhanger may suit your story better than a traditional
resolution.
Examples of Resolutions
 Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, global story
 o Prescriptive. Jim and his companions secure the treasure and leave for England. Silver escapes
on the way, and Jim is done with adventures.
 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, global story
o Cautionary. Both Victor and the monster die as a result of their obsessions.
 Persuasion by Jane Austen, Chapter 24, Scene 34
o Prescriptive Anne’s happiness is complete and she enjoys true love with Frederick.
 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Scene 2
o Complex – Bilbo immediately regrets his decision so join the dwarves on their adventure. Bilbo
gets his need to break free of his current life (Prescriptive) but loses out on his want of being safe
and comfortable at home (Cautionary).
What’s Next After the Resolution?

The resolution is the fifth and final of the FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF STORYTELLING. Take the time to
review the previous four — INCITING INCIDENT, PROGRESSIVE COMPLICATION TURNING
POINT, CRISIS, and CLIMAX — then apply them by:

 Analyzing Masterworks. Review all of the UNITS OF STORY in your favorite masterwork and
identify the five commandments.
 Reviewing Your Writing. Go through the UNITS OF STORY in your own writing and analyze all of
the five commandments.

 I. Examples of Resolution
 For examples of resolution, consider the short stories below.
 Example 1
 Kim was angry at her brother Brandon for stealing her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the
fridge before school. To teach him a lesson, she loaded hers with hot sauce. Sure enough, at lunch,
Brandon’s eyes began watering and he asked her, “What did you do to this sandwich?” “Teach you a
lesson!” she replied. Brandon never stole another sandwich again.
 In this example, the exposition explains that Kim is angry at her brother for stealing her lunches.
The rising action occurs when she plans to teach him a lesson. At the climax of the story, he eats
the sandwich and discovers what she’s done. The falling action is when she reveals what she’s
done. Finally, the resolution occurs when we learn that Brandon will never again steal another
sandwich. This ties up the story and notifies the reader of exactly how it ends.
 Example 2
 My dog Brady was acting strange and running to the shed and back to the house. I asked him what was
wrong and followed him to investigate. Inside was a black and white cat with four kittens! I got the cat
and her kittens a blanket and took them inside to keep them warm. I had five new pets!
 In this story, the exposition introduces a mystery: why is the dog acting so strange? The rising
action is the decision to find out. The climax occurs when I discover the kittens, and the falling
action occurs when I begin taking care of them. Finally, the resolution concludes that I have found
five new pets and will adopt the cat and her kittens.
 Example 3
 Bobby was upset about his poor grades. He asked his mom for a tutor. After working with a tutor for
about a month, he took a major math test. He aced the test! Thanks to hard work and studying, Bobby
was becoming a star student.
 In this example, the conflict is introduced in the exposition: Bobby has poor grades. The rising
action is asking for a tutor and studying. During the climax, Bobby faces his problem and aces a
test. The resolution is that Bobby has begun to become a great student thanks to positive
decisions.
 As these examples show, the resolution is often simply the ending. It is when the story closes and
the reader is aware that the plot has come to its natural conclusion.