Name: ………………………….

Class: …………………………… Year7

Creating suspense in writing is a skill that involves a combination of

various elements, including punctuation, grammar, sentence
structure, pace, word choice and creation of text. Here are detailed
explanations of how to use each of these aspects to build suspense in
your writing:

Punctuation:

1-Ellipsis (...): An ellipsis can create suspense by indicating that something is omitted or left
unsaid.
Example: "She entered the dark room, heart pounding, and then she saw it..."

2-Em-dashes (—): Em-dashes can be used to interrupt a sentence, adding a sense of suddenness
or interruption to the narrative.
Example: "He opened the door, and then—silence."

3-Exclamation Marks (!): Use sparingly, but when appropriate, they can intensify the tension.
Example: "She heard a scream in the distance, and it sent shivers down her spine!"

Grammar:
1-Phrases: Intentional sentence fragments can create suspense by breaking the flow of the
narrative. Example: "A noise. In the darkness."

2-Triblet: Use parallel sentence structures to build anticipation.

Example: "The wind howled, the rain poured, and the thunder roared."

Sentence Structure:

1-Short Sentences: Short, concise sentences can increase the pace and make the reader feel a
sense of urgency.
Example: She glanced back. Someone was following her.

2-Sentence Variety: Mix long and short sentences to create a rhythmic and engaging narrative.
Quick, short sentences can be followed by longer, descriptive ones to maintain interest and
suspense.
Examples:
1-The forest was silent. Not a single sound could be heard. But deep within, eyes watched,
waiting for a chance to strike.
2-The storm raged on, lightning illuminating the sky. In the distance, a figure emerged from the
darkness, slowly drawing closer.

Pace:

3-Slow-Build: Start with a slower pace to set the scene and introduce characters and elements.
As the story progresses, gradually increase the pace by shortening sentences and using more
active verbs.
Example:
1- The old mansion was on a hill. Its windows were broken, and it was dark inside. Sarah was
unsure but took a step inside.
2-The detective examined the crime scene meticulously, every detail analyzed. He couldn't shake
the feeling that something important was eluding him.

Word Choice:
1-Vivid Imagery: Use descriptive and evocative language to create a clear mental image of the
setting and characters. This helps immerse the reader in the story and intensifies suspense.
Examples:
1-The old house loomed in the darkness, its windows like empty eyes staring out into the night.

2-The forest was so dense that the sunlight barely filtered through, casting long, eerie shadows
on the ground.

3-The abandoned playground was bathed in the pale glow of the moon, swings swaying gently in
the breeze like ghostly apparitions.

2-Strong Verbs: Utilize powerful verbs to convey action and tension.

Example: Instead of saying "walked," use "crept" or "stumbled."

Character Perspective:

Limited Perspective: Sharing only what a single character knows or experiences can keep readers in the
dark about other character's motives or actions, building suspense as secrets unravel.

First-Person Perspective:

Example: "I knew I couldn't trust him, but I had no choice. As I followed him into the dimly lit
alley, my heart pounded, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to
happen."
In this first-person perspective, the reader is intimately connected to the protagonist's thoughts
and emotions, experiencing suspense as the character does.

Third-Person Limited Perspective:

Example: "Sarah watched from the shadows as John entered the abandoned house. She couldn't
hear their conversation, but she knew he was in danger. Her mind raced, wondering if she should
intervene."
In third-person limited perspective, the reader gains insight into the thoughts and emotions of
a single character, building suspense by revealing their inner turmoil and uncertainty.

Third-Person Omniscient Perspective:

Example: "John entered the room, unaware that Sarah had been following him. She watched his
every move, her heart heavy with worry. Little did they both know, a hidden figure lurked in the
corner, ready to strike."
In third-person omniscient perspective, the reader has access to the thoughts and emotions of
multiple characters, which can build suspense by revealing different characters' perspectives on
the unfolding events.

Creation of text:
Creating suspense in the text itself involves manipulating various elements within the narrative
to keep readers engaged and eager to discover what happens next. Here are key elements to
consider when crafting suspenseful text:
1-Conflict and Tension:
Introduce conflict early in the story. This could be a problem, a mystery, a threat, or a challenge
that the characters need to overcome.
Heighten tension by placing obstacles or complications in the path of the protagonist, making
their journey more challenging.
Example: The detective knew time was running out as he raced against the clock to defuse the
bomb hidden somewhere in the crowded city.
2- sentence openers:
" as sentence openers are words or phrases that immediately signal a potential issue, concern, or
warning. These words can be used to capture the reader's attention and convey a sense of caution
or alarm. They are often employed to introduce a topic or situation that may have negative
consequences or implications. Here are some examples of sentence openers using red flag words:
*Just then,
*Without notice,
*In a blink of an eye,
*Suddenly,
3-Unanswered Questions:
Pose intriguing questions that demand answers. These questions can relate to the plot, characters,
or mysteries within the story.
Reveal answers gradually, providing just enough information to keep readers curious but not
enough to fully satisfy their curiosity.
Example: Why had Sarah's husband disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a cryptic note
that read, "Find me if you dare"?
4-Red Herrings:
Introduce false clues or misleading information to divert the reader's attention. These can create
confusion and heighten suspense as readers try to discern the truth.
Make sure red herrings are plausible within the context of the story.
Example: A series of mysterious footprints in the snow led the search party deeper into the forest,
only to discover they had been chasing a cleverly planted decoy while the real danger lurked
nearby.
4-Sudden Twists:
Employ unexpected plot twists that challenge assumptions and take the story in surprising
directions.
Foreshadow these twists subtly to ensure they feel earned rather than arbitrary.
Example: Just as it seemed the hero had defeated the villain, the true antagonist was revealed,
shocking both the characters and the readers.
5-Foreshadowing: Hint at future events or dangers through word choice. This can make readers
anxious about what might happen.
Examples:

1-The old, locked chest sat in the corner of the room, collecting dust for years. Little did she
know that the key to her family's hidden secrets was buried within."

The mention of the locked chest foreshadows that it holds important information or items that
will be crucial to the plot.
6-Cliffhangers: End chapters or sections with unresolved questions or dilemmas to keep readers
turning the pages. Leave them wanting to know what happens next.
1-The door creaked open, revealing a sight that made her blood run cold. She gasped and then...
the chapter ended.
2-He reached for the phone, his trembling hand hovering over the call button. Should he make
the call? The decision weighed heavily on him as he stared at the screen.

Dialogue:

1-Unreliable Narrators: Characters who may not be trustworthy or are hiding something can
add intrigue and suspense through their dialogue.
Examples:
1-I promise, I didn't see anything," he said, but his nervous tone and shifting eyes betrayed his
words.
2-"I swear I don't know who could have left that note on your doorstep," she said, avoiding eye
contact.

2-Double Meanings: Have characters say things that can be interpreted in multiple ways,
leaving readers unsure of the true meaning. This creates ambiguity and tension.

1-You'll find out soon enough," he chuckled, but there was a sinister edge to his laughter.
2-"I'm here to help you," she said with a smile, though her clenched fists suggested otherwise.
 Unit 1 (1.5) “Danger”
Kindly read the text, then figure out elements of suspense regarding punctuation, word choice,
creation of text, and sentence structure that you can find:

“He struggled on up through the tangle of small twigs and young limbs. After some careful searching, he found
a suitable branch. In fact, it was probably his only hope, because it was the last branch that looked as if it would be
strong enough to support him. He lay down on it, gripping it with his legs, and slowly slid himself away from the
trunk and out over the loch. He looked down at the black waters, so still now, but he could picture the eels
beneath the surface, lying in the stinking mud at the bottom, their wide snouts sticking out, waiting patiently. His
one consolation was that if the fall didn’t kill him, it would at least knock him unconscious, and he would know
nothing about sinking down through the dark waters towards their slimy mouths. He suddenly felt very lonely. If he
fell, Kelly wouldn’t come, and nobody else knew he was here. He was utterly alone.”

Model answer
Punctuation:
1-Commas (","):

Example: "In fact, it was probably his only hope, because it was the last branch that looked as if it would be
strong enough to support him."
Function: The comma after "In fact" and within the sentence adds a sense of anticipation. It allows the
reader to pause and consider the importance of the branch being the protagonist's "only hope,"
emphasizing its significance and creating suspense.
2-Periods ("."):
Example: "He was utterly alone."
Function: The period at the end of this sentence provides a sudden and dramatic stop to the narrative. It
leaves readers with a sense of isolation and vulnerability, adding to the suspense as they wonder about the
protagonist's fate.

Word Choice:
Element of Suspense: Carefully chosen words and phrases, such as "struggled,"
"careful searching," "utterly alone," and "stinking mud," evoke a sense of danger and
discomfort.
Explanation: Words like "struggled" and "careful searching" emphasize the
protagonist's precarious situation. The description of the mud as "stinking" adds to the
sensory detail, intensifying the sense of foreboding.

Sentence Structure:
Element of Suspense: The sentence structure varies, with some sentences being
shorter and more direct while others are longer and more descriptive. This variation
controls the pacing of the narrative.
Explanation: Short sentences, like "He looked down at the black waters," create
moments of quick action and tension, while longer sentences, like the one describing the
eels, build suspense by providing more detailed and unsettling imagery.

Character Perspective:
 Element of Suspense: The text delves into the protagonist's thoughts and emotions,
particularly his fear and loneliness.
Explanation: By exploring the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings, the text allows
readers to connect with his emotional state. This empathy heightens the suspense as
readers become invested in the character's fate.

Grammar:
Element of Suspense: Grammar is used to structure the narrative and convey the
protagonist's inner turmoil, such as the use of tenses to indicate past actions and future
uncertainties.
Explanation: The careful use of tenses helps convey the protagonist's sense of urgency
and uncertainty. The text switches between past and future tenses, reflecting the
protagonist's shifting focus between his past actions and the impending danger.
Creation of text:
*Conflict and Tension:
Element of Suspense: The protagonist is in a life-threatening situation, hanging over a
loch with the only branch that can support him.
Explanation: The conflict and tension arise from the immediate danger the protagonist
faces. Will he fall into the dark waters filled with eels? This life-or-death situation creates
suspense.

*Unanswered Questions:
Element of Suspense: The text leaves questions unanswered about the protagonist's fate and
whether he will survive.
Explanation: The text raises questions in the reader's mind, such as whether the protagonist will fall,
whether he will survive the fall, and if help will arrive in time. These unanswered questions keep readers
engaged.

*Sensory Detail:
 Element of Suspense: The text uses vivid descriptions of the loch's waters and the
lurking eels.
Explanation: By describing the black waters, the stinking mud, and the eels with their
wide snouts, the text creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, enhancing the sense of
danger and suspense.
*Foreshadowing:
Element of Suspense: The text hints at the potential consequences of the fall.
Explanation: The mention that if the fall doesn't kill him, it will at least knock him
unconscious and lead him towards the waiting eels foreshadows possible outcomes,
keeping the reader on edge.

1.5 part 2 “Danger”

Kindly read the text, then figure out elements of suspense regarding punctuation, word choice,
creation of text, and sentence structure that you can find:
He forced his eyes away from the water towards the wall ahead of him. The branch was bending
sharply now, and he found himself crawling downwards towards its tip, so that there was a very real
danger of slipping forward and off the end. Best not to think about that.
Slowly he shuffled along. The castle was six feet away, five . . .
four . . . The branch was swaying alarmingly. He felt like he could tip off at any moment.
He stopped.
The wall was still three feet away . . .
He didn’t move.
He knew it wasn’t going to work. The branch wasn’t long enough. It was too thin. If he went any
further, he would be past the point of no return. He’d be stuck. He glanced down, he was over the ground
now, at the foot of the wall. That would be worse than hitting the water, eels or no eels. He closed his
eyes and slowed his breathing, trying to calm the mounting panic.
And then he heard it.
First a creak. Like a loose tread on a staircase.
And then a crack.
He felt the branch shudder . . . It was splitting.

Model answer
Punctuation:

Element of Suspense: The use of ellipses ("...") conveys hesitation, tension, and uncertainty as
the protagonist assesses his situation.
Explanation: The ellipses suggest the protagonist's internal thoughts and increasing anxiety.
They build suspense by drawing out the moment of decision and emphasizing the gravity of his
predicament. He felt the branch shudder . . .
Word Choice:

Element of Suspense: Carefully chosen words and phrases like "bending sharply," "swaying
alarmingly," and "splitting" evoke a sense of imminent danger and instability.
Explanation: These words heighten the tension by describing the physical state of the branch,
indicating its fragility, and foreshadowing a potential crisis.

Sentence Structure:
Element of Suspense: The short, abrupt sentences convey a sense of urgency and heightened
alertness in the protagonist.
Explanation: Short sentences create a rapid pace, mirroring the protagonist's quick assessment
of his surroundings and his struggle to decide. The abruptness of the sentences contributes to
the suspense by emphasizing the critical moment. It was too thin.
Character Perspective:
Element of Suspense: The text continues to delve into the protagonist's thoughts and emotions,
particularly his fear and the mounting panic.
Explanation: By exploring the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings, the text allows readers
to connect with his emotional state and his increasing desperation. This connection intensifies
the suspense as readers become deeply engaged in his predicament.
Third person perspective: He didn’t move
Creation of Text:

Element of Suspense: The gradual build-up of tension through the protagonist's internal monologue and
sensory details.

Explanation: The text creates suspense by slowly escalating the danger, first with the branch's bending,
then its swaying, and finally the realization that it's splitting. The careful buildup keeps readers on edge
as they anticipate the climax of the scene. He’d be stuck. He glanced down, he was over the ground now,
at the foot of the wall.