Suspense

Definition

Suspense is a narrative device used to create a feeling of uncertainty and excitement about the outcome of events, keeping readers engaged and on edge. It often relies on dramatic tension and uncertainty, driving the plot forward as characters face challenges and dilemmas, ultimately leading to a climax. This technique can enhance emotional investment, making the resolution even more impactful.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Suspense can be created through various techniques, such as pacing, dialogue, and detailed descriptions that evoke emotions.
2. Authors often use point of view strategically to build suspense, revealing information gradually to keep readers guessing.
3. Sound devices like foreshadowing can hint at future events while simultaneously creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
4. Effective suspense keeps readers invested in the characters’ fates, making them eager to find out what happens next.
5. The climax of a story often serves as the peak of suspense, where tensions are resolved or escalated, providing catharsis for the reader.

Review Questions

• How does the use of pacing influence the level of suspense in a narrative?
  • Pacing plays a crucial role in building suspense by controlling the speed at which the story unfolds. A faster pace can create urgency and excitement, making readers anxious about what will happen next. Conversely, slowing down the action at key moments allows for deeper emotional engagement and reflection on the stakes involved, amplifying the tension and enhancing the overall suspense.
• Discuss how foreshadowing can be employed to effectively enhance suspense within a story.
  • Foreshadowing can significantly enhance suspense by providing subtle clues about future events, which keeps readers on alert as they try to piece together the hints. This technique creates an underlying tension as readers anticipate how these clues will come into play later in the narrative. When done well, foreshadowing not only builds excitement but also deepens emotional investment in character outcomes.
• Evaluate how an author’s choice of point of view impacts the experience of suspense for readers.
  • An author’s choice of point of view can dramatically shape how suspense is experienced by readers. For instance, a first-person narrative allows deep insight into a character's thoughts and feelings, which can create intimacy and heighten tension as readers become acutely aware of their fears. In contrast, an omniscient point of view can introduce multiple perspectives that reveal more information than any single character knows, fostering uncertainty about how characters will react to impending dangers. This manipulation of perspective directly influences reader engagement with the unfolding suspense.

Related terms

tension:

Tension refers to the mental or emotional strain created by conflict in a story, which contributes to the buildup of suspense.

cliffhanger:

A cliffhanger is a plot device that leaves a story or chapter unresolved at a critical moment, amplifying suspense and encouraging readers to continue.

foreshadowing:

Foreshadowing is a literary technique that gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, building anticipation and suspense.