Suspense and Tension

What is suspense?

•  A literary technique whereby writers create a feeling of anticipation that something uncomfortable. dangerous, or exciting is about to happen.

• Hints at what is going to happen next.

• The atmosphere of a story.

What is tension?

• a literary technique 

  whereby writers create a heightened involvement in the reader.

• a literary technique whereby writers create a feeling of anticipation that something uncomfortable. dangerous, or exciting is about to happen.

True or false?

Tension is more immediate than suspense as it occurs within a scene.

• True

• False

What methods do writers use to create suspense?

• limited points of view

• setting and imagery

• withholding information

• A character's situation, thoughts, actions, etc.

What is foreshadowing?

• A literary device used to hint at or suggest future events in a story.

• A literary device used to describe the setting of a story.

• A literary device used to create suspense in a story.

• A literary device used to summarize past events in a story.

How does pacing contribute to creating tension?

• Pacing contributes to creating tension by introducing too many characters and subplots.

• Pacing contributes to creating tension by controlling the speed and rhythm of a story.

• Pacing contributes to creating tension by providing too much background information.

• Pacing contributes to creating tension by using a predictable plot structure.

What is the purpose of using cliffhangers?

• To confuse the audience and make the story more complicated.

• To provide closure and wrap up the story quickly.

• To introduce new characters and storylines.

• To create suspense and keep the audience engaged.

How do unreliable narrators contribute to building suspense?

• Unreliable narrators create doubt and uncertainty in the reader's mind.

• Unreliable narrators make the story predictable and less exciting.

• Unreliable narrators provide clear and accurate information to the reader.

• Unreliable narrators eliminate any sense of mystery or suspense in the story.

What is dramatic irony?

• A technique used in visual arts to create suspense.

• A type of comedy where the plot is predictable.

• A literary device where the characters know something that the audience does not.

• A literary device where the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Which literary element focuses on hinting at future events and creating anticipation?

• suspense

• climax

• flashback

• foreshadowing