The Wonderful Ways Of Suspense Research Paper

The author uses different methods to portray suspense, “the uncertainty or anxiety that an author makes the reader feel so that the reader wonders about what will happen next in the story, novel, or other work of literature”. The story,”The Landlady,” written by Roald Dahl, portrays suspense by making the protagonist, Billy Weaver, encounter many strange and suspicious events with the landlady when he stays at her bed and breakfast. Dahl effectively builds suspense throughout the selection by applying numerous writing techniques such as foreshadowing and imagery.

Therefore, the foreshadowing in the story creates suspense for both the characters and the readers.

W.W. Jacobs creates suspense using a mysterious monkey’s paw. Ricky Lewis Jr. attempted to create similar suspense using different techniques. As told in the story in the book,”He took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off. ”Better let it burn,” said the soldier solemnly. “If you don’t want it, Morris,” said the other, “give it to me.”.”I won’t said his friend doggedly.”I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don’t blame me for what if happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man.”(Jacobs,108) Therefore, W.W. Jacobs fundamentally builds suspense with the dialogue between Morris, who owned the paw initially, and Mr. White, who was interested and curious on what the paw had to offer.

In both the excerpts "Jams" and "Swimming with Nightmares" by Peter Benchley, the author creates suspense in many ways. The author utilizes descriptive words, character's choices, and dangerous situations for creating suspense.

Suspense is a detail that many horror writer use to catch the attention of many readers and keep them holding on till the end. Just as W.F. Harvey does when creating suspense in his story August Heat. Mr. Harvey used three methods to create his suspense for his story, foreshadowing, withholding information, and reversal. With these three methods he is able to make the reader feel like, “ We may even hold our breath without realizing it as we read on eagerly to find out how the story ends”(Source 1).

The first way the author creates suspense in the story is by foreshadowing. When Captain Torres walked into the barber’s shop, the barber, “Started to shake,” (Tellez 1) indicating that the barber felt instant fear, when his enemy approached. This foreshadows that the barber knows the man and that he will be deciding to kill him or not. Foreshadowing creates suspense because it is a clue given to the reader. It is the reader’s job to guess what is going to happen in the story and that is what makes it interesting. Without foreshadowing the reader won’t be able to prepare what is going to happen next. Another scene where the foreshadowing technique is used was when the barber came up with his reasons to not kill Captain Torres. The barber contemplated in his mind, “Don’t want to stain myself with blood. Just lather, and nothing else,” (Tellez 2) which foreshadows that the barber is not going to commit murder.

Tension and uncertainty caused by the unknown is the meaning of suspense. In “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs suspense is found. During “The Monkey’s Paw” by Jacobs suspense is created through setting, irony, and foreshadowing. Much suspense is caused by these story elements.

Suspense is when the author makes the reader, or audience excited or scared for what might happen in the story, or even what will happen to the character next in the story. Suspense might even be something you see or hear that will make you have questions about what will happen next. If there is a cliffhanger at the end of a story, it will leave you with questions wondering what will happen to the characters next. The mood, tone, setting, emotions of character, sound and sight might affect how the story is suspenseful. We all enjoy watching suspenseful movies and reading stories, because they are exciting. It leaves us with questions that the author won't have the answers to in the end, so the author gives us as the audience, the chance to make up their own ending to the story or movie. The author will give you clues throughout the story, to help you fill in questions you might have in the end. This makes it more exciting for the reader and the audience because we get to engage with the characters in the book or movie. The tv series, Stranger Things, is about 4 kids who have to fight off monsters in a little town in Indiana. This TV show is a great example of suspense, and it shows it effectively because, of Foreshadowing, Dilemma, and Dramatic Irony presented throughout the show. With just using those four examples, Stranger Things is a great example of suspense.

Have you ever read “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe? It is a short story about a man whose mental state deteriorates over time. The narrator loves the old man, however he has a deep hatred toward the old man’s vulture-like eye. This essay will be explaining the ways Poe keeps his readers in suspense. Edgar Allan Poe uses time, repetition, and descriptive language to set the pace, tone, and mood.

In the sources the authors talk about suspense in stories they write. The suspense in the story could be how the author doesn’t give full detail or description on one or more characters. In the source “How do horror writers create suspense” by Percy D’Aco it shows that many horror stories often revolve around mayhem and the stuff in nightmares, and that great horror story often reflects a person’s biggest fear. Often authors like to keep the readers in suspense to scare them or make them want to keep reading and see how the story ends.

“This suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts” - Oscar Wilde. Suspense is a useful tool that authors use in their writing to create vivid images and bring the reader to their writing, it gives the reader emotion like in the quote Oscar Wilde wrote. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” Richard Connell uses many methods to develop suspense while Rainsford goes through an external battle with General Zaroff on an island. In the story Rainsford is swept to a mysterious island where he comes to conflict with General Zaroff, Rainsford finds himself fighting for his life in order to beat Zaroff. Richard Connell uses many methods to develop suspense in the story like introducing elements of dialogue and tone in order to make the reader anxious.

Suspense can either “make or break” a story. While it usually makes the piece much more interesting and attractive to the reader, it can also make it seem needy for attention. However, in the short story, “August Heat,” by W. F. Harvey suspense is used so cautiously and professionally that it attracts any reader want to read it.

Suspense could be found in all forms of visual entertainment and regular entertainment. Some examples include video games, movies, television shows and even books. Suspense is the feeling of excited or anxious for an uncertain event that is going to take place in the future. Suspense is usually made to build up for the climax or resolution in a story. Authors across all platforms use suspense.

For instance, the suspense is created by the characters when they are involved in a major crime, “ Michael and this other man have been involved in a crime, a serious crime” Slezar (166). Given this quote, crime adds suspense, because crime can include many characteristics that add anxiety and anxiety is key in suspense. The suspense was added to the setting, and characters by Henry Slezar to add suspense which is a key factor in the horror genre.

The author creates a lot of suspense with the setting and the characters in the story. To begin, the author, Will F. Jenkins, creates a lot of suspense in this short story with the characters. For example, when Mr. Tabor calls Madge to see if she can drive his niece, his