Suspense

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/suspense

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the psychological construct?A state of heightened emotional and cognitive engagement driven by uncertainty
2. What is the narrative function?Essential for plot development, character investment, and audience retention
3. Why do stories use suspense?Stories use suspense to keep people interested and make them think about what might happen, so they stay engaged.
4. How can suspense be created in a story?Writers create suspense by hiding information, giving hints, or letting the audience know something the characters don't.

Ambiguity: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; uncertainty or inexactness.
Cognitive Arousal: A state of heightened mental alertness and engagement, often triggered by uncertainty.
Narrative Engagement: The process by which an audience becomes invested in and connected to a story.