Suspense and Foreshadowing

Suspense and Foreshadowing

Mini-Lesson

​What is suspense?

When you watch a movie, do you feel a sense of urgency to see what will happen next? You might say that you are "on the edge of your seat."As events in a movie become more exciting, this feeling builds. That strong feeling is called suspense.

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​In literature, suspense is the growing tension and excitement felt by readers. Writers create suspense by raising questions that make you eager to find out what happens.

• Why did that happen?​

  • ​A story may begin with an unexplained shocking event. You need to keep reading to find out the why and the who.

• Who did it?

  • ​As you may know, detective stories often end with the answer to this question!

• How can this be fixed?

  • ​Good stories revolve around conflicts, or problems. As a reader, you keep turning the pages to find out how the characters will solve those conflicts.

• ​Who will succeed?

  • ​Stories often involve characters that you root for and those you do not. Suspense builds in your mind as you wonder which characters will triumph or succeed.

Poll

Is this suspenseful?

Cautiously, Darrell stepped farther out onto the ice-covered pond.

Poll

Is this suspenseful?

"We're not leaving until I find out who threw that snowball!" Mr. Lee yelled.

Poll

Is this suspenseful?

Gwen smiled to see the puppy cuddled side by side with her older dog, Quincy.

​Height of Suspense

​All stories have a point when the suspense is greatest—when the story is the most exciting. This part makes you want to read to see what will happen next.

Multiple Choice

Answer using the photo...

The point of greatest suspense is when—

• Jeb is in front with the light

• Caleb's foot is wedged tight

• Jeb reaches the cavern

• Caleb's shoe pops off

​Suspense and Foreshadowing

​You know that writers create suspense by raising questions in your mind. One way they do this is through foreshadowing, the use of clues to hint at future events.

​Foreshadowing

• ​A pair of mysterious eyes rises above the water.

​Foreshadowing

• ​A dark cloud appears, and the wind begins blowing.

​Foreshadowing

• ​Someone hides a letter under the sofa cushions.

Clues and Foreshadowing​

Sometimes, foreshadowing occurs when a character makes an unusual statement or issues a warning.​

Poll

Read each passage. Select Yes if you can find evidence of foreshadowing in the passage.

Luis shouted, "Mr. Sims, don't open that door! Who knows what could be behind it?"

Poll

"Gee, as crowded as the park is, we're the only ones going into the funhouse," Gina said. "How strange."

Poll

"There's nothing like roaming a field on a crisp, fall day," Beverly thought to herself.

Clues and Foreshadowing​

In addition to including important statements made by characters, writers use other details to foreshadow future events. Look for details that describe actions, settings, or characters.​

​Clues and Foreshadowing

​Detail of action: With confidence, Alicia crossed the creek, balancing on a log. She had accepted the dare without hesitation. There's nothing I won't do, she thought to herself.

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​Detail of setting: For her latest dare, Alicia was supposed to explore the decaying house down the street. Alicia stood in front of the old house, which seemed to tower menacingly over her. Paint peeled off every surface, and cobwebs covered the dusty windows.

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​Detail of character: The door swung open to reveal the scariest-looking woman that Alicia had ever seen. Dressed in black from head to toe, the woman cackled gleefully as she rubbed her gnarled hands together.

Multiple Choice

What event is the writer most likely foreshadowing?

• Kate and Bill will win a canoe race.

• The canoe will turn over in the water.

• Bill will steer the canoe safely.

​In summary...

In literature, suspense is the growing tension and excitement felt by readers.

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​Foreshadowing occurs when a writer provides hints that suggest future events in a story. Foreshadowing creates suspense and makes readers eager to find out what will happen.

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​Writers use clues such as details of place, character, and action to foreshadow events. Important statements made by characters can also hint at future outcomes.

Multiple Choice

The point of greatest suspense occurs when—

• the driver tosses Jason's bags into the trunk

• the tires squeal as the car takes off

• the car picks up speed rounding a curve

• the car reaches the airport

Multiple Choice

Which sentence foreshadows that something bad is about to happen?

(1) The sky was blue, the sun was bright, and the sand was warm. (2) As Keiko nervously watched on, her little brother gave a happy squeal and splashed in the shallow water.(3) Keiko took a deep breath and told herself that she was being silly. (4) After all, the water was shallow and completely safe for wading children—what could possibly go wrong?(5) Suddenly, Keiko saw her sister Amane running toward the beach, arms waving wildly over her head. (6) "The water is moving, and the beach isn't safe!" Amane cried.(7) Keiko looked up. (8) The water was moving, swelling up, and picking up speed at it headed toward the beach. (9) Other people near her began to run for high ground. (10) Keiko grabbed her brother and ran, too. (11) Suddenly, everyone could hear the whooshing sounds of rushing water.

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 4

• Sentence 7

• Sentence 11

Multiple Choice

The description of the buzzards most likely foreshadows—

• an unsettling discovery, such as a dead or injured calf

• Kevin's discovery of the calf playing with animals

• a rainstorm that endangers Kevin and Hector

• Kevin's bringing a buzzard home and keeping it as a pet

Multiple Choice

Which event foreshadows Vanessa's acceptance into the Junior Company?

• stretching at the handrail

• staring into the mirror

• Madam Porter's question

• finding a penny

Multiple Choice

This scene foreshadows the page's knighthood through—

• a description of the king's appearance

• the king's words to the page

• a description of the throne room

• the expression on the page's face