We were talking about conclusions, and I told them that the last paragraph needs to be the climax of their essay, that it’s a good place for a well chosen quote, or an epiphany, or a surprise (all epiphanies are surprises, but not all surprises are epiphanies).

I said that I’m partial to surprises, and shared a couple of examples (The Toughest Man I Ever Met, and A Ghost Story). Then, I told them the highlights of Cindy’s narrative about her best friend, Fred.

In her first paragraph, Cindy, an AC student on the Dumas campus, told of an injury she suffered as a senior in high school, one that ended both her season and career as a volleyball player. She couldn’t stand to attend afternoon practices with her teammates—was too painful—so she walked home alone.

That was until her friend Fred noticed and started walking with her. He didn’t give advice, just listened, which was what she needed most.

In the next paragraph, Cindy had moved from her hometown to attend college, and, in the spring semester, she received a Dear Jane letter. Her boyfriend, whom she talked with daily and dated most weekends, had found someone else.

Once again, Fred showed up to comfort her. That’s when she realized that boyfriends can come and go, but a best friend is forever.

I don’t remember the next two paragraphs, but they were equally convincing. Fred was amazing.

Finally, in her last paragraph, Cindy had finished the essay and decided to try it out on her best friend. So, trying to suppress her tears, she read it to Fred as he sat beside her on the couch.

“I know he likes it,” she concluded, “because he can’t stop licking my face.”

“My best friend is my Golden Lab Fred.”