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Clincher Sentences: The #1 Way to Reinforce a Message and Jump-Start Action

by Henneke | 104 enchanting opinions, add yours? :)

How to write a clincher sentenceIt happens to me surprisingly often.

I’m half skimming, half reading a fairly interesting article—all the way until the last word.

But as soon as I’ve finished, I’ve already forgotten what I’ve read.

Sound familiar?

If you want readers to remember your words, you need to invigorate your message and jump-start your readers into action.

And the easiest way to do that?

Write a clincher sentence.

Eh … what is a clincher sentence?

A clincher sentence is a concluding sentence reinforcing your key message.

Clinchers appear as the last sentence of well-written social media posts, blog posts, essays, or book chapters. Sometimes, you also find them at the end of a section within a chapter or blog post—just before a subhead announces the next section.

A clincher sentence is a soundbite, communicating a nugget of wisdom. It’s a memorable point that may linger in your reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading your content.

Want to know how to write these powerful sentences?

Examples of clincher sentences

In his memoir My Father, the Pornographer, Chris Offutt ends most chapters with excellent clincher sentences.

For instance, the ending of the 4th chapter gives us insight in the son’s relationship with his father:

(…) I realized the landscape would always hold me tight, that I could never escape, that in fact what I loved and felt most loyal to were the wooded hills, and not my father.

And the 25th chapter ends as follows (note: cons refers to conventions where his father’s fans would gather):

Dad seldom left the house over which he held utter dominion. When he did leave, he went to cons, an environment that assuaged his ego in every way. He grew accustomed to these two extremes and became resentful when his family failed to treat him like fans did. We disappointed him with our need for a father.

Ouch. We disappointed him with our need for a father. A hard truth.

If writing was a boxing match, the clincher sentence would be the knockout blow.

But how do you deliver a killer punch?

How to write a clincher sentence

To write a clincher sentence, you first must know your key message.

So, think about this: If readers would remember one thing from your newsletter, post, email, or book chapter, what would it be?

If you can’t think of the key message, your idea might still be a little fuzzy. Let it simmer for a while, and then revisit. Which question do you want to answer? What problem do you help solve? What is your key tip?

To get unstuck, use one of these sentence starters to help formulate your key point:

  • In conclusion (or ultimately), … add your final say on the topic or sum up your argument.
  • Remember, … remind readers of your key idea—sometimes you only need to rephrase an earlier sentence.
  • Your action: … tell readers what to do with your advice.
  • Your takeaway: … sum up the main point readers should remember.

The two-punch approach to clinchers

In educational or inspirational writing, you can use the two-punch approach. Firstly, remind readers what you’ve explained already. And secondly, nudge them to implement your advice.

For instance, Mark Manson uses this approach in his article about the most important question of your life. His penultimate sentence summarizes his key point:

This is the most simple and basic component of life: our struggles determine our successes.

And his last sentence addresses the reader directly to nudge him to implement his advice:

So choose your struggles wisely, my friend.

At the end of their book Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath take the same approach. The penultimate sentence summarizes their key point:

Stories have the amazing dual power to simulate and to inspire.

And their very last sentence encourages readers to implement their advice by telling them it’s not as hard as they might think:

And most of the time we don’t even have to use much creativity to harness these powers—we just need to be ready to spot the good ones that life generates every day.

Remember, your clincher sentence is the killer punch encouraging readers to implement your advice.

So, summarize and inspire.

(See what I just did? That was another two-puncher.)

Make your killer punch reverberate

My favorite type of clincher sentence sketches a vivid image, giving energy to your key idea.

Chris Offutt ends the 5th chapter of his memoir with a vivid story—the clincher sentence is the last sentence (I made it bold):

A week after the memorial service [of my father], I took Mom to a greenhouse built of plastic sheeting. Mom selected a plant with white flowers, then smiled, shook her head, and chose red flowers instead.

“Your father was color-blind,” she said. “I only bought white flowers so he could see them.”

She took the red ones home. After fifty years Mom planted flowers she liked in her own backyard.

And Mark Manson sketches a vivid image at the end of his post about the real value of money—the clincher sentence is in bold:

The real value of money begins when we look beyond it and see ourselves as better, as more valuable, than it is. When it’s not about the accumulation of stuff but rather the enactment of experiences. When it’s not about the mug but rather the coffee that’s in it.

Vivid images haunt readers, popping up in their minds hours—or even days—after reading your content.

When to use a clincher sentence …

At the end of a book or blog post, you don’t have a choice. To avoid your writing petering out, finish with a clincher sentence.

However, at the end of a book chapter or blog post section, you can choose. You can either look ahead and make readers curious to read on, or you can look back and summarize your key message.

To look ahead, use a cliffhanger to raise a question and make readers lean forward, eager to learn more. For instance, in the gripping book American Kingpin, Nick Bilton uses cliffhangers at the end of each chapter.

Here’s the last sentence of the first chapter:

“You got a minute?” he said as he threw the white envelope on the desk. “I have something important I need to show you.”

And the end of the second chapter:

And yet, as he hopped into the car next to his sister, he also didn’t know that in just five years he would be making that amount of money in a single day.

And the end of the 3rd chapter:

But what wasn’t clear to either of them, as they rolled around on his dinky bed in the basement, was that the relationship they were about to embark on would be the most tumultuous romance of Ross’s and Julia’s adult lives. And, for Ross, it would be his last.

Before I started reading the book American Kingpin, I already knew the outcome. I knew Ross Ulbricht gets jailed. Yet, the narrative is so gripping and the cliffhangers so compelling, that I couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to know exactly how the story unfolded.

How to use a cliffhanger + a clincher sentence

You don’t have to choose between a clincher and a cliffhanger.

You can use them both.

For instance, in their book Decisive, Chip and Dan Heath explain how to make better choices in life and work. The introduction ends like this:

We may make only a handful of conscious, considered choices every day. But while these decisions don’t occupy much of our time, they have a disproportionate influence on our lives.

Then comes the clincher sentence with a vivid image:

The psychologist Roy Baumeister draws an analogy to driving—in our cars, we may spend 95% of our time going straight, but it’s the turns that determine where we end up.

And they end their introduction with a cliffhanger, making us curious to read on (what’s the four-part process?):

This is a book about those turns. In the chapters to come, we’ll show you how a four-part process can boost your chances of getting where you want to go.

So, at the end of a section or book chapter, you have 3 options:

  • Write a cliffhanger to encourage readers to read on.
  • Compose a clincher to summarize your key point with a punch.
  • Do both.

Everyone is overloaded by too much info

As a writer or content marketer, your role is not just to share your ideas.

Everyone already feels overwhelmed. Too many ideas. Too much information.

So, instead, light a torch and show readers the way.

Then, write that clincher.

And jump-start your readers into action.

Be a torch-bearer. Be a changemaker.

What's the difference between a clincher and a cliffhanger

Recommended reading on writing strong sentences:

How to hook readers with cliffhangers
How to write an opening sentence
How to write a sparkling sentence

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Comments

  1. Barry Desautels says

    April 8, 2025 at 5:21 am

    An excellent post Henneke. Very good techniques to learn and implement in our own work. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      April 8, 2025 at 9:31 am

      Thank you, Barry. Happy writing!

      Reply
  2. Melvin Chosen says

    March 28, 2025 at 6:02 am

    I’m a beginner writer, still working on my first piece. I got discouraged at some point and dropped everything but I still haven’t gotten the courage to skip your tips.

    Even if I don’t have the time to read them I make sure to archive ‘em.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 28, 2025 at 10:00 am

      I’m so sorry you’ve been discouraged. I don’t know what happened but please know that you can rekindle your courage and find the joy of writing again.

      Reply
  3. Sue Kingham says

    March 25, 2025 at 10:00 pm

    This article is so helpful and very clear. Thank you, Henneke.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 26, 2025 at 8:53 am

      Thank you, Sue. I appreciate you stopping by.

      Reply
  4. Sheila says

    March 25, 2025 at 8:26 pm

    Your cliffhanger piece kept me reading to the very end. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 8:50 pm

      That’s great feedback. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Shweta says

    March 25, 2025 at 3:50 pm

    Jeffrey Archer took this to the next level in Clifton Chronicles. Each book ended with a cliffhanger or clincher. It was a torture waiting for the next book!

    Loved reading this article Henneke. Especially the examples.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 4:51 pm

      Isn’t it amazing how well cliffhangers can work? I’m glad you enjoyed the examples in this post, Shweta. Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  6. Dennis Morris says

    March 25, 2025 at 2:43 pm

    I always learn something new from your posts. Something new, something different. Perhaps a twist on the ordinary to make it feel fresh. There’s always a great take away that I can run with and grow my own writing path. It’s all about the journey. Thank you, Henneke

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 2:53 pm

      Such a lovely compliment. Thank you, Dennis. This post was very much inspired by the examples written by the various authors, especially Chris Offutt. His clinchers really stayed with me.

      Reply
  7. Jim McCarthy says

    March 25, 2025 at 2:16 pm

    Once again, pure gold from the Henneke Pen . . .
    Keep ’em coming, beautiful!
    It’s always nice to know we can look forward to more, too.
    XOXO from the Ozarks . . .

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 2:51 pm

      That’s a lovely compliment. Thank you, Jim. And it’s always nice for me to know that you keep reading my work. I appreciate that.

      Reply
  8. Nendy Fritzsche says

    March 25, 2025 at 1:59 pm

    Thank you, Henneke, this is just what I needed today. please continue to be inspiring.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you, Nendy. I’m glad this came at the right time. I’ll do my best to keep going!

      Reply
  9. Yoeri Geutskens says

    March 25, 2025 at 1:15 pm

    Lovely piece again, Henneke. I realise I’ve been using clincher sentences somewhat unconsciously, not being aware of the term.
    Here’s one that’s stayed with me every since reading it:

    “My friend Barbara recently asked her teenage daughter if there was anything she could do to stem the flow of adolescent scorn coming her way. “Don’t be a twat,” said her daughter.

    Words to live by, fellow idiots.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/25/why-your-teenager-thinks-youre-an-idiot

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 1:36 pm

      Ohhh, that’s a great example. Thanks so much for sharing, Yoeri.

      Reply
  10. Padmaa says

    March 25, 2025 at 12:51 pm

    beautiful and timeless as always.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you, Padmaa!

      Reply
  11. Moira Beaton says

    March 25, 2025 at 11:22 am

    Thanks, Henneke. I love clinchers that just sum up the entire message in one sentence. It’s so satisfying at the end of a post, article or a speech. And I’ll never forget “We disappointed him with our need for a father”. Ouch, indeed!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 25, 2025 at 11:34 am

      That sentence stayed with me, and also the one about loving the landscape more than his father. I was about to write that these sentences touched me but I think that’s too gentle. These sentences shook me.

      Reply
  12. Lux says

    December 18, 2023 at 6:11 am

    I love this! And you didn’t just talk about the power of clincher sentences; you demonstrated it in this blog post. Each ending makes me look forward to the next and understand the key message better.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      December 18, 2023 at 12:36 pm

      Thank you, Lux. That’s a lovely compliment. I always try to talk the talk *and* walk the walk!

      Reply
  13. Sheila says

    November 2, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    Super helpful post. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      November 2, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you, Sheila. Happy writing!

      Reply
  14. Dave A says

    February 11, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    I really appreciated this article because it’s sometimes difficult to put the right kind of bow on a post, chapter, article or whatever I’m writing to hammer home the point trying to be made. Great tips and suggestions! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      February 12, 2023 at 2:40 pm

      I’m glad you found it useful, Dave. Happy writing!

      Reply
  15. Daniela says

    May 17, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    Great post – thank you, Henneke. And I do agree about clinchers. I often find myself wanting to see them at the end of blog posts or articles, as they really tie it all beautifully.
    I love the red poppy metaphor :-).

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      May 17, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      I am glad you enjoyed this, Daniela. It’s such a pity that many blog posts just fizzle out without any clincher, isn’t it?

      I often write a clincher after letting a draft rest for a day (or more). This way I get a better idea of how I want to finish and can write the last few sentences with more energy.

      Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  16. Michael says

    November 19, 2021 at 7:14 am

    Hello Henneke,
    This is great. I’ve been applying these styles unknowingly. Now I’m well informed.
    Greeting from Kenya!!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      November 19, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      So good that you’re doing this already! Thank you for stopping by, Michael.

      Reply
  17. Raj says

    February 25, 2021 at 4:59 pm

    There are so many writing blogs I visit briefly, but yours is the one I read to the end each time. You make things so alive and interesting. I am planning a non-fiction on self-healing and I want it to have this feeling you generate so easily.
    I am a planner, and I love that you teach structure, strategy and purpose.
    You have a follower in me. Thank you so much for being so giving.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      February 25, 2021 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you so much for your lovely compliment, Raj. I much appreciate it.

      Reply
  18. Kenzie says

    March 4, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    Henneke, thank you for your response it was very helpful. I love your website it has really improved my writing, thank you again.
    Sincerely Kenzie,

    Reply
  19. Kenzie says

    March 1, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    I know this is a question not a comment but I really need an answer. Should I make my clincher sentence humorous.
    Can I make my clincher sentence humorous?

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      March 2, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Yes, clincher sentences can be humorous.

      Reply
  20. Alicia says

    November 30, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Henneke, this really resonates as I embark on my next book. I can see using this in marketing as well as memoir and other genres.thanks for sharing. I’m learning a lot from you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      December 2, 2019 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you for stopping by again, Alicia. I’m glad you liked this! Happy writing 🙂

      Reply
  21. Vikki says

    September 6, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Oh my god! This is so helpful! Thanks so much , Henneke.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      September 7, 2019 at 5:06 pm

      Thank you, Vikki. Happy writing!

      Reply
  22. Lubosi Jr Maboshe says

    September 5, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Hello Henneke,
    Thank you so much.
    Am understanding. If you could give more examples on cliff hangers it will help me.Clinchers are a nice thing to.Am happy to know that you know Mark Manson.
    Thanks and Take care.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      September 7, 2019 at 5:04 pm

      You may want to check out my article on cliffhangers: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/hook-your-reader-with-cliffhangers/

      Reply
  23. Adarsh says

    September 1, 2019 at 6:18 am

    Hi Henneke
    I truly enjoy reading your posts and myself I am a part-time blogger. I have been blogging for over a year but still I am finding difficult in writing a good blog article that would keep readers engaged in reading by articles.
    I am trying hard to improve my writing skills so that I could express more in my writing. Could you please suggest me some of the best practical ways to improve by writing.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      September 2, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      I hope you’re not too critical of your own writing. Improvement is always possible. You can find my most useful articles on blog writing here: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/business-blogging/

      Reply
  24. Rachel says

    November 8, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    Ah, Henneke…
    My daughter is writing her first article, about a raising money to build a school.
    ‘How do I start?’
    I sent her this, and two other blog posts of yours. Found them in seconds. You’ve now inspired 3 generations of my family.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      November 8, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Wow, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much for letting me know, Rachel. Happy writing to all of you 🙂

      Reply
  25. Paula says

    August 8, 2018 at 11:08 am

    I can see my entire life evolving round those enchanting vocabularies, the teacher is something else, her sense of arrangement, is fantastic, and she is one out of a million.
    I am in love with the methods of teaching and I just hope I can put all these into practice.
    Thank you dear instructor, Pro. Henneke.
    I am grateful to you and I hope you start teaching again soon.
    Do, have a nice holidays.
    your student,
    Paula.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      August 8, 2018 at 7:49 pm

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Paula. I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog!

      Happy writing 🙂

      Reply
  26. Mihaida says

    July 28, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Thank you for the great advice, detailed explanation and useful examples. I feel I already use some of these techniques, I just didn’t think of them this way.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 30, 2018 at 6:43 pm

      Yes, many writers use clincher sentences naturally. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Mihaida. Happy writing!

      Reply
  27. Yvonne A Jones says

    July 26, 2018 at 11:03 am

    As I typed in the name of your website, it popped up in my browser so it means I’ve visited your site before, but may not have actually read your blog posts. This is my first, and I LOVE the content and your writing style.

    As others have said, you simplify teaching points and make them a delight to read and learn from. This one on “clinchers” and “cliffhangers” is excellent. They’re not new to me, but your well-chosen examples bring them to life. Now, instead of doing this occasionally, I’ll integrate them in all of my posts. Thank you. You have a new fan.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 26, 2018 at 11:48 am

      Welcome, Yvonne, and thank you for your lovely comment. It makes me happy to know that you feel inspired to apply my tips to you writing. Happy blogging!

      Reply
  28. Rich says

    July 22, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    Thanks for the advice. I have been trying to improve my copywriting skills to use on my websites. I have been hiring writers to do it in the past but I want to do it myself. This tip will come in handy.

    Rich

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 24, 2018 at 7:55 pm

      Great. Thank you for your comment, Rich. Happy writing!

      Reply
  29. Alison Beere says

    July 9, 2018 at 11:23 am

    I like the fact that we don’t have to choose either a clincher or a cliffhanger — we can use both at the same time if necessary.

    I guess it comes down to a case-by-case evaluation in the end — what would be most beneficial to your readers in a particular instance?

    Thanks for another example-laden article, Henneke. Your writing tips are always great, but the books you reference are the icing on the cake as they are always fascinating.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 12, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      Yes, you can choose or do both. I don’t think it matters much. The key is to think about how you want to end a piece of writing or a section of that piece.

      I’m glad you’re enjoying my book recommendations.

      Thank you, Alison. I appreciate your regular comments. They’re really helpful to me.

      Reply
  30. Manaj Banerjee says

    July 6, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Hello Henneke,
    I enjoy all your informative blogs unlike a few who have had impressed me as you do. But in spite of all the motivating write-ups, I am still in a dilemma from where to start. You must on facebook, can you give your link?
    BEST,
    Manaj Banerjee
    India.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 6, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog posts, Manaj. I don’t have a Facebook account. You may find that it doesn’t really matter where you start. Just start somewhere.

      Reply
  31. Chris Conner says

    July 5, 2018 at 5:32 pm

    Hi Henneke,

    This may be my favorite post of yours. Great examples. Hope you are doing well.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 5, 2018 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you, Chris. I see you’ve started a new podcasting project earlier this year. It looks good!

      Reply
  32. Kitty Kilian says

    July 5, 2018 at 7:40 am

    A clincher – I have to look up the literal meaning. Did not know there was a word for it! How very clever. Great post!

    Reply
    • Kitty Kilian says

      July 5, 2018 at 7:43 am

      Ah, decisive – klinknagel. Got it! There’s no word like that in Dutch.

      Reply
      • Henneke says

        July 5, 2018 at 12:20 pm

        I only knew clincher as a decisive argument in a negotiation. Only recently, I discovered it’s also used for the last (decisive) sentence of a paragraph, essay or chapter. I don’t know a good word for it in Dutch either!

        Reply
        • Kitty Kilian says

          July 5, 2018 at 1:38 pm

          There is none. I wonder which author wrote that book.. Damn.. How many writing books do you read, anyway?

          Reply
          • Henneke says

            July 5, 2018 at 2:58 pm

            I rarely read books about writing these days. At some point, there’s nothing new in them anymore. I prefer reading fiction.

            Reply
  33. Ryan Biddulph says

    July 4, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    This is good Henneke. Really good. Like a 1 line summary of all you wrote about throughout the blog post. A home run sentence in many ways. If you can send off folks with an impact they will remember you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 5, 2018 at 12:08 pm

      Yep, that’s it. And don’t forget that you can also summarize along the way (at the end of each section or paragraph) to keep readers on track.

      Reply
  34. Joan Bell says

    July 4, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    A timely post, Henneke. Thanks for the interesting examples. Now, do I add clinchers, cliffhangers or both? Let the editing begin. I do love your emails. ♡

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 5, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      To choose my option, I try to read my post through the eyes of my ideal reader and imagine what’s the best way to guide her to her destination. My hunch is that it doesn’t matter so much what option we choose as long as we don’t let our message float and our articles fizzle out. Happy writing!

      Reply
  35. Katharine says

    July 4, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    Well, I now need to go back and rewrite the ending to almost everything! 😀 But thanks to you, I also know how. What a lovely gift your post always is! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 5, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      I rarely go back to improve old posts. I bet that if I tried I’d could improve them quite a lot, but I find it’s so much more interesting to write a new post and it’s not possible to do it all.

      Thank you for stopping by again, Katharine!

      Reply
  36. Heba Mahdy says

    July 4, 2018 at 4:47 am

    what I love best in your writing is the small summary with Henrietta … it sticks the info to my brain cells with a superglue.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 4, 2018 at 9:51 am

      The drawing is my real clincher 😉

      Thank you, Heba.

      Reply
  37. Paul Williams says

    July 3, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    As usual Henneke – your sound advice just when I need it most. I’ve always had trouble finishing chapters and you’ve summed up the solution wonderfully.
    Thank you from very cold Sydney.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 10:56 pm

      That makes me happy, Paul. I love it when guidance arrives at the perfect moment. I hope you’re keeping warm despite the cold!

      Reply
  38. Kathy says

    July 3, 2018 at 8:29 pm

    What I love about thinking in terms of cliffhangers and clinchers is it challenges us as writers to be clear about the point we are trying to make, and the questions we want the reader to ask. It helps us shape the reader’s experience. You have such a gift for simplifying writing concepts!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      Yes, that’s so true! It about finding the best way to take our reader’s by the hand and guide him to his destination.

      Reply
  39. Ed says

    July 3, 2018 at 4:00 pm

    Original: “When it’s not about the mug but rather the coffee that’s in it.”

    My version: “When it’s not about the mug nor the coffee but rather the person you share it with.”

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:23 pm

      I love that! Good meals require good company 🙂

      Reply
  40. Shirley Pordominsky says

    July 3, 2018 at 3:06 pm

    I learn so much in such an easy way. You are the best Writer’s Coach.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:21 pm

      Thank you for your lovely compliment, Shirley.

      Reply
  41. Todd says

    July 3, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    I did these but didn’t know what they were called. I need to always make sure I am using them. Thanks, Henneke for the education!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:20 pm

      I only recently learned that these sentences actually have a name. Hardly anyone seems to explain what these sentences are.

      Happy writing!

      Reply
  42. Swadhin Agrawal says

    July 3, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Hi Henneke,

    Lovely post and super educational too!

    While, I might have written clincher sentences, unaware of the fact that they are that, your article gave a thorough lesson of this.

    Ultimately, it now dawned on me that, writing and the world of literature has so much more into it that it almost feels like fantasy to live on and on.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      To be honest, I knew about the principle of writing final sentences for a long time, but I learned the phrase “clincher sentence” only recently.

      Once you know about clincher sentences, it’s really interesting to pay attention to them and see which writers use them well and who don’t. Writing is so much fun because there’s always more to learn.

      Thank you for stopping by, Swadhin. Good to see you again! 🙂

      Reply
  43. Joe WILLIAMS says

    July 3, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Really useful post Henneke. I was scrambling through the words to see your clincher sentence and it didn’t disappoint!

    The post reminds me of Stephen Covey’s “begin with the end in mind” habit which can apply to just about anything, including writing, and something I hadn’t thought about.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      Yes, great point about beginning with the end in mind. That is so true.

      I paid even more attention to my clincher sentences than usually because I figured that people would pay more attention to them than usually. Walk the talk, eh? 😉

      Reply
  44. Mary Ann Rollano says

    July 3, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    Once again great advice! I was never quite sure how to end my blog posts. I’m afraid most of them just end with no real conclusion or summary. I’m always learning with each tidbit of writing instruction you give. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      You’re not alone. Many bloggers don’t write endings, even on the biggest blogs. You may find this post useful, too: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/how-to-write-closing-paragraphs/

      Happy writing, Mary Ann. And thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  45. Becky says

    July 3, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    Hi, Henneke,

    Excellent information. I used this once without knowing it was a clincher sentence. To me it’s like preparing a nice dinner; add just enough seasoning or salt to give it that extra bit of kick before serving or enjoying.

    Agai​​​n, excellent information, and so needed.

    The best tip ever just like a bite-sized snack.

    Thank you kindly,

    Becky

    ​​

    Reply
    • Gay says

      July 3, 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Love this clincher concept, Henneke. Along with a blog post or book section, would you use clinchers and cliffhangers in an ecourse as way to build anticipation and keep people engaged?

      Reply
      • Henneke says

        July 3, 2018 at 4:22 pm

        Yes, it works for ecourses, too. Depending on how the course works, each lesson (or module) can have a cliffhanger to explain what you’ll learn in the next section, a takeaway (summary of the main learning points), and an action point (perhaps an assignment).

        Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      So funny, I had been thinking about using a food metaphor, too. I was thinking of a dessert to finish of your meal. Perhaps cheese with a glass of red wine, or would you prefer a sorbet?

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Becky. Keep seasoning your writing 🙂

      Reply
  46. Tim Cotroneo says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Henneke never fails to deliver posts that make you sit up and go hmmmmmmmmmm. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      Thank you, Tim, for such a lovely comment. You put a smile on my face 😀

      Reply
  47. lynda says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Excellent information on a very specific and useful writing tool. I’ve saved your clincher/cliffhanger image to my blog inspiration folder. It may even go on the fridge! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Oh wow, what an honor. My Henrietta drawing on your fridge 🙂

      Reply
  48. Irina Bengtson says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Thank you for the reminder and inspiring ideas, Henneke.

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      I’m glad you like it, Irina 🙂

      Reply
  49. Dana says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    I’m printing this to refer to when I’m writing, Henneke. Your tips are immediately actionable and your writing sparkles. Thank you for your emails!

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you for your lovely compliment, Dana. Happy writing!

      Reply
  50. Claire Carradice says

    July 3, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    Hi Henneke!

    Very good! So good that I took an excerpt out of it and put it in my FB learning group, with a link back to your article – hope that’s OK! (But do let me know if not).

    Reply
    • Henneke says

      July 3, 2018 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you for sharing, Claire. Happy writing.

      Reply

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