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Suspense Notes-1

Suspense stories aim to intrigue and unsettle readers by building anticipation for potential threats. Effective suspense relies on sympathetic main characters facing increasing dangers. Settings are often isolating with looming weather adding tension. Plots involve external conflicts and unexpected obstacles delaying resolution through rising action and surprises. Common techniques include foreshadowing, flashbacks, cliffhangers, and time constraints to prolong suspense until the climax.

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257 views7 pages

Suspense Notes-1

Suspense stories aim to intrigue and unsettle readers by building anticipation for potential threats. Effective suspense relies on sympathetic main characters facing increasing dangers. Settings are often isolating with looming weather adding tension. Plots involve external conflicts and unexpected obstacles delaying resolution through rising action and surprises. Common techniques include foreshadowing, flashbacks, cliffhangers, and time constraints to prolong suspense until the climax.

Uploaded by

api-261524446
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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“There is no terror in the bang,

only in the anticipation of it.”


Alfred Hitchcock
What is Suspense?
• Suspense: the thrill of anticipation and
excitement regarding the outcome of a
situation.

• Suspense writers makes the reader feel…


• Intrigued
• Unsettled
• Anxious
• Fearful
• Nervous
Most suspense stories have main
characters that share certain
qualities:
• Sympathetic: if you don’t care
about the main character, you
are not compelled to read on.
• Must face danger, a threat that
Characters in steadily increases.
• Often has a fear that must be
Suspense Stories faced and hopefully
conquered…but not always!
• Motivation for their actions are
clear and credible.
• Environment is
threatening.
• Suspense stories mostly
occur at night.
• Examples: old house
with many shadowy
places, isolated cabin,
dense forest.
• Weather may add to
tension, perhaps a
raging storm or isolating
blizzard
Setting in Suspense Stories
• A conflict is introduced, usually
an external conflict.
• As the character attempts to
Plot in face the conflict, problems and
obstacles delay resolution.
Suspense • Unexpected twists, turns, and
surprises arise.
Story • Pacing: rising action must
involve more anticipation than
actual violence; good suspense
involves delay.
• Foreshadowing
• Flashback
Common • Cliffhanger
Techniques • Red Herring

Used in • Irony (Dramatic)


• Obstacles
Suspense • Time Constraints
• Isolation
Foreshadowing is the main
vehicle for creating suspense
Readers can identify foreshadowing by looking for:

Visual Imagery: There are certain images we always associate with


suspense (dark figures, old houses, sharp objects, clouds, rain,
thunder, lighting. They usually foreshadow ominous events.
Sounds: tapping at the window, knocking on a door, the whistling of
the wind, a creaking floor. Repetitive sounds and noises coming from
unseen sources probably mean something bad is about to happen.
Color: Objects are usually dark, gray, or even black. Any sort of
darkness or lack of light foreshadows ominous events.

Sudden Changes: Certain events begin to disturb the normalcy of the


characters' lives. Changes that are especially unusual or sudden signal
portentous events.

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