Getting a "Return" error message when compiling

Question

I have the following code below that works when I don't use any methods.
When I insert the side method(), I always get an error message "missing return statement".
I can't figure out what I am doing wrong.
It runs fine as it is but I am trying to modify it by using separate methods (just to learn how to use and call methods).
I am trying to replace what I have in the main method in separate method called "side".
Here is the code
import javax.swing.*;
public class Round
private String output = "";
    //message error occurs when this method is added;   
   public String side()
         for (int row  = 1; row <=5 ; row ++)
           if (row == 1 || row == 5)
            return output += "      * *  \n"; 
    public static void main(String args[])
        String output = "";
  //the for loop (before the else) is copied into the side method. 
         for (int row  = 1; row <=5 ; row ++)
           if (row == 1 || row == 5)
             output += "      * *  \n"; 
           else
             if (row == 2 || row ==4)
             output += " *           * \n"; 
           else                     
             output += "*              *\n";
        JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,output); 
        System.exit(0);
}Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

I did as you suggested and still get the same results.
I also tried using on one return statement after the for loop but still got an error message.
Do you know how I can fix this?
thanks
     public String side()
         for (int row  = 1; row <=5 ; row ++)
           if (row == 1 || row == 5)
            return output += "      * *  \n"; 
           else
             if (row == 2 || row ==4)
             return output += " *           * \n"; 
           else                     
            return output += "*              *\n";
[\code]