How to Write a Clincher Sentence that’s Memorable
Definition: A clincher sentence is a type of sentence used at the end of a final paragraph to reinforce your main idea and give your reader a sense of finality.
What Is a Clincher Sentence and Why Is It Needed?
A clincher sentence is a concluding sentence that reinforces your main idea to give your reader a sense of finality. However, it’s not a restatement of the exact words used to convey your main idea.
In fact, your clincher should be about a new and compelling spin that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and helps improve the overall cohesion and flow of your writing.
Also, a clincher is as common in nonfiction as it is in fiction. From academic writing (where it’s typically contained in an expository paragraph) to a well written blog post (where it’s often followed with a call to action,) to writing essays.
Now, why is it needed?
A concluding paragraph without a clincher sentence will make your writing feel incomplete, rudderless, and perceived as amateurish.
Your reader will finish your piece and not remember what the point of your story was, making it forgettable.
So, let’s now look at what you need to know in order to write a memorable clincher.
How to Write a Clincher Sentence
When it comes to writing a clincher, there are several principles that can help you craft effective and memorable endings.
For starters, in order to bring your writing to a conclusion that truly stands out, you need to be very clear yourself about what your central idea is.
You’d be surprised how many aspiring writers get lost in the writing process without stopping to consider if they’re actually carrying the main idea or key message through to a memorable conclusion.
Or perhaps, they’re pursuing multiple plot lines without picking one, which makes it virtually impossible to write a clincher.
When it comes to the writing itself, it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate in your word choice, as well as being creative with the way you structure and format your clincher sentence.
For instance, you could use rhetorical techniques such as humor or irony to help make your last sentence more engaging for readers.
You might also consider including a thought-provoking quote at the end of your clincher sentence, which will leave your readers with something to think about.
With practice, you can become a master clincher writer!
Clincher Sentence Examples
Below, you’ll find some clincher examples to give you an idea about different ways a concluding sentence can be used to reel your reader in and leave them with a lasting impression.
You may find some examples to be thought-provoking, some reflective, and some humorous:
“In short, when one door closes, another one opens — just make sure it’s not a closet.”
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
“Life is too short to waste time on things that don’t matter.”
“Take me as I am or watch me as I leave.”
“A moment of madness can sometimes lead to moments of brilliance.”
“You can’t control everything in life, but you can control your reaction to it.”
“In the midst of struggle and adversity, it can be easy to lose sight of your goals and dreams. But with commitment and determination, anything is possible.”
“As cliche as it may sound, nothing worth having ever comes easily. If you truly want to succeed in life, you have to be willing to work hard and persevere through any obstacles that come your way.”
Let now look at some tips from the pros.
Tips on How to Write a Clincher that’s Memorable
Here are some tips to help you write clinchers that are both well-crafted and engaging:
Preparation
- Start by being clear about the topics or themes that you want to convey in your writing, so you have a good idea of the main points you’ll want to highlight
- When brainstorming ideas for a clincher sentence, try to come up with several options — don’t be married to the first idea that comes to mind
- Pay attention to the overall structure of your article, ensuring that all the key points are summarized effectively in the closing sentence
- If you’re struggling to come up with a good clincher sentence, consider revisiting the key points you covered in your article and try to come up with a sentence that summarizes them effectively
Writing Mechanics
- Pay attention to the formatting and structure of your sentence, making sure that it transitions smoothly into the next section of your article or paragraph
- Practice writing clinchers regularly in order to refine your skills and develop a strong sense of rhythm and pacing
- Take the time to revise and edit your final sentence until it’s perfect. Since it contains the parting thoughts of your writing, make sure to spend the extra time polishing it
- Your clincher needs to be concise and easy to understand, so straight to the point without adding unnecessary fluff or filler words
Style
- Be deliberate and thoughtful in your word choice, choosing language and concepts that resonate with your target audience
- Use figurative language or rhetorical techniques such as humor, irony, or suspense to make your clincher sentence more engaging for your readers
Finishing Touches
- Make sure that your clincher is memorable and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a lasting impression of your writing
- Proofread your clincher carefully, ensuring that it’s free of typos and grammatical errors
Final Thoughts on Clincher Sentences
Writing a well thought-out clincher sentence is an essential part of successful writing, so take your time to craft it well and make sure it resonates with your readers.
To set your expectations, a strong concluding sentence will take you a lot longer to come up with than the average sentence in a typical body paragraph. However, the extra effort will pay off big time with your audience.
Whether you’re looking to improve your clincher sentence writing skills or simply want to learn more about how they work, I hope the above tips and examples can help guide you along the way.
With practice and dedication, you’ll become a “master clincher” and leave a lasting impression on every piece you write!
Harry Wallett is the Founder and Managing Director of Relay Publishing. Combining his entrepreneurial background with a love of great stories, Harry founded Relay in 2013 as a fresh way to create books and for writers to earn a living from their work. Since then, Relay has sold 3+ million copies and worked with 100s of writers on bestselling titles such as Defending Innocence, The Alveria Dragon Akademy Series and Rancher’s Family Christmas.
Harry oversees the creative direction of the company, and works to develop a supportive collaborative environment for the Relay team to thrive within in order to fulfill our mission to create unputdownable books.
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