Tag: Suspenseful Writing

I think we can all agree, we’ve gotten to the last TV episode of the night of our favourite show, it’s getting late and boom, cliffhanger! You couldn’t possibly watch one more episode…. right?

While we all KNOW there are cliffhangers and suspenseful writing keeps us on our feet, I’ve never thought about the important aspects of what goes into properly creating suspense in stories.

While the included tips help suspenseful storytelling, it is also important to include relatability, build up of tension and suspense, emotion, authenticity and urgency.

My infographic is based on the information provided in the Ted-Ed video ‘How to Make Your Writing Suspenseful‘ by Victoria Smith.

Infographic Overview:

Point of View

Limit the point of view by telling the story from the perspective of the characters. As they learn more, so does the audience

Setting & Imagery

Choose the right setting and imagery. Suggest that disturbing things will be revealed soon.

Style & Form

Play with style and form. Pay attention not only to what happens but how it is conveyed and paced. Use short, declarative sentences.

Dramatic Irony

Reveal key parts of the story to the audience, but not the characters. The mystery becomes not what will happen but when and how the characters will learn.

Cliffhanger

Build extra suspense by cutting off the story right before something crucial happens or in the middle of a dangerous situation with a slim chance of hope.