Surprise. The ending should catch the reader off - guard. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the reader initially thinks the lottery is a positive thing, but then it turns out to be a brutal stoning ritual. It's completely unexpected.
Well, start by setting up expectations and then surprising the reader. Maybe introduce a character or event that seems insignificant at first but turns out to be crucial at the end.
To write such a story, think outside the box for the twist. Build suspense throughout and keep the reader engaged. The twist should be something they don't see coming but makes sense in retrospect. And, don't rush the ending; let it unfold naturally.
One characteristic is the element of surprise. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the readers are led to believe it's a normal small - town lottery until the very end when it's revealed that the 'winner' will be stoned to death. Another characteristic is that they often make the reader re - evaluate the whole story. In a story with a twist ending, the events leading up to the end suddenly take on a different meaning. Also, they tend to be concise. Since they need to hold the reader's attention until the big reveal, they usually don't have a lot of unnecessary fluff.
A twist ending in a story is basically when the conclusion takes a sudden and unexpected turn. It could be a hidden truth revealed, a character's true nature exposed, or a situation unfolding in a way you never saw coming. It's what makes you go 'Wow!' at the end.
Well, a twist ending is when the story takes a sudden and unexpected direction in the final moments. It can shock readers or viewers and make them reevaluate everything that came before. For example, in a mystery, the culprit might turn out to be someone you least suspected. It keeps the audience engaged and leaves a lasting impression.
The short story 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is also well - known for its twist. A woman borrows what she thinks is an expensive necklace for a party. She loses it and spends years in poverty trying to replace it. In the end, she discovers that the original necklace was a fake, which completely changes the way we view her whole ordeal.
One good one is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. In this story, a young couple is very poor. The wife has long, beautiful hair and the husband has a precious pocket watch. For Christmas, the wife sells her hair to buy a chain for the watch, and the husband sells his watch to buy combs for her hair. It's a sweet and unexpected twist.
First, come up with a unique and unexpected idea for the twist. Make sure it fits the story's theme and characters. Also, build up suspense throughout the story to make the twist more impactful.
The element of surprise. When a reader is following a story and suddenly gets hit with an unexpected ending, it's like a jolt of electricity. It makes the story memorable. For example, in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. A woman borrows a diamond necklace for a ball, loses it, and spends years in poverty to replace it. At the end, she discovers the original necklace was fake. That shock of realization makes the whole story stick in your mind.