A relevant recommendation is the final paragraph of an article or review. It answers the reader’s real question: “So should I go, watch or read this?” It follows from your earlier opinions and tells the reader who will enjoy it. This skill finishes every piece in articles and reviews.
Why does the ending matter?
Readers remember the end of a piece. If it trails off or introduces something new, the piece feels unfinished, even when the rest is strong.
A good recommendation also shows that your opinions were consistent. It proves to the reader that everything earlier in the article was leading somewhere.
How do you write the ending, step by step?
- Answer the reader’s question. Decide whether your final advice is yes, no or “yes, if…”.
- Name who it suits. Say what kind of reader will enjoy it, using a detail from your judgement.
- Match your reasons. Use the same ideas as your main opinions, so the ending does not surprise anyone.
- Add a last touch. A short, memorable sentence can echo your opening or leave a clear image.
- Stop. Do not add a new topic, an apology or a thank-you.
Worked example
The review of the invented film The Lantern Keeper has said that the film is slow at first, beautifully painted, and led by quiet piano music.
Step 1, answer: yes, but for the right viewer.
Step 2, who it suits: people who enjoy gentle stories that trust the audience to feel.
Step 3, match reasons: the slow start and the music are the two points to echo.
Step 4, last touch: echo the opening image of the film “waiting by the door”.
Assembled ending:
If you enjoy stories that move slowly and trust you to feel, The Lantern Keeper is well worth an evening. If you want action from the first minute, it may test your patience. Bring a friend, and stay for the final scene, when the lamp flickers once more.
The reader knows the decision, who it suits, and has a last image to remember.
What mistake should you avoid?
The typical slip is ending with a phrase about the writing instead of the subject.
Weak ending: That is all I want to say about the film. Thank you for reading my review. I hope you like it.
It gives no recommendation and does not mention the film’s strengths or weaknesses. A variation is “To finish, I will say that…”, which only announces the ending. The correction is to replace these lines with a decision, the kind of reader it suits and one closing image, as in the assembled ending above.
Check yourself
1. Which ending is more relevant to a review of a school play? (a) “Next term, the drama club will also hold auditions for a puppet show.” (b) “If you like funny plays with a little heart, go on Friday night, and sit near the front.”
Show answer
(b). It answers “should I go?” and says who it suits. Option (a) introduces a new topic that belongs in another article.
2. Write a recommendation for the invented Saturday Swap Shop article, in two or three sentences.
Show answer
Many answers work. One example: “If you like finding a good book for the price of a snack, visit the Swap Shop on a Saturday morning. Bring your own books to trade and arrive early. You may leave with more than you came for.”
3. Why is “Go and see it because it is good” a weak recommendation?
Show answer
It repeats the opinion without a reason, and it does not say who the film suits. A stronger version names the kind of viewer and links to a reason given earlier in the review.
Where does this lead next?
You now have all five parts of a public article or review. Put them together with the articles and reviews practice set, and use the writing revision compare view to compare a first draft with your revised ending. If your ending keeps switching between you and one, go back to maintaining a consistent reader address.
Some students write a good last paragraph but run out of time before they reach it. A teacher in online one-to-one English as a Second Language tuition can help you plan the time for each paragraph.