Suspense

Definition

Suspense is a literary device that creates a feeling of excitement or anxiety about what will happen next in a story. It engages readers by building tension and uncertainty, often leading them to question the outcomes for characters or events. This feeling can be achieved through various techniques, including pacing, foreshadowing, and cliffhangers, which all work to keep readers invested in the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Suspense is often created through the use of pacing; slowing down the narrative at critical moments can heighten feelings of anxiety.
2. Authors frequently use foreshadowing to hint at future events, which builds anticipation and keeps readers on edge.
3. The use of unreliable narrators can enhance suspense by creating doubt about what is true or real in the story.
4. Cliffhangers are commonly found at the end of chapters, leaving readers with unanswered questions and a strong desire to continue reading.
5. Suspense is not just about fear; it can also evoke other emotions such as excitement or intrigue, keeping readers engaged with the plot.

Review Questions

• How does foreshadowing contribute to the feeling of suspense in a narrative?
  • Foreshadowing plays a crucial role in building suspense by providing hints or clues about future events. This creates anticipation and keeps readers guessing about what might happen next. By subtly suggesting outcomes, authors can make readers more invested in the characters’ journeys, as they start to connect the dots and worry about potential consequences.
• Discuss how pacing can affect the level of suspense in a story and provide an example.
  • Pacing significantly influences suspense by controlling how quickly or slowly a story unfolds. For instance, during tense moments, an author might slow down the action, extending descriptions or inner thoughts, which builds anxiety for the reader. Conversely, fast-paced scenes can escalate excitement but may reduce overall suspense if not balanced effectively. An example is a chase scene where slowing down before an unexpected twist heightens tension.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using cliffhangers as a technique for generating suspense and their impact on reader engagement.
  • Cliffhangers are highly effective in generating suspense because they leave readers at a crucial moment of uncertainty. By ending chapters or scenes with unresolved questions or dramatic revelations, authors compel readers to continue to find out what happens next. This technique not only heightens anticipation but also fosters deeper engagement with the text, as readers feel an immediate desire to discover answers and resolve conflicts.

Related terms

tension:

The mental or emotional strain that arises during a conflict in a story, contributing to the feeling of suspense.

foreshadowing:

A literary device that hints at future events in the narrative, creating anticipation and enhancing suspense.

cliffhanger: A dramatic and often abrupt ending to a scene or chapter that leaves readers eager to know what happens next.