DIRECTIONS: Add a healthy dose of suspense to the otherwise suspense-less scene on the second
page of this worksheet. Consider using a tried and true technique for heightening the
excitement, such as foreshadowing or plot complications that delay the scene’s climax and
resolution. Use the steps below to create materials for your job at American Suspense Works.
Suggested Project Steps
1 Analyze the lack of suspense in a scene submitted by a world-famous author.
2 Revise the scene to add suspense, using tried and true techniques.
3 Create a visual representation that shows the development of suspense in the scene.
Step 1: Analyze the lack of suspense in this scene submitted by a world-famous author. In the
space below, describe the narrative structure of the text selection. Explain why it lacks suspense.
Scene:
For the very first time, Annalise Famkavich was home alone for the entire night. Her parents
were out at a church event. Her sister, Petra, was spending the night at a friend's. Her brother,
Andrus, lived on campus at the state university, which was a two hour drive away.
The Famkavich home was a huge, hulking structure that was set back from the sidewalk on a
large, wooded lot. The house was bordered on the south by a forest preserve, and on the east
and west by the pastures of neighboring farms. Directly across the street from the house, to the
north, was an abandoned church, surrounded by a large, rambling cemetery.
Getting through the night was quite an experience for Annalise. The next morning, she told her
parents everything that had happened. They were alarmed and not sure whether to believe
Annalise's version of events, but they assured her that they would never leave her at home alone
again
Now write a analisis about what you read.
Step 2: Revise the scene to add suspense, using tried and true techniques. Add some
foreshadowing and plot complications. Try to increase the reader’s excitement and anticipation
with your revision. (Start by copying and pasting the original scene on the previous page. Then
add to it, delete or replace text, and cut and paste to rearrange details.)
Step 3: Create a visual representation that shows the development of suspense in the scene. You
can draw a diagram below, or you can use other digital tools or programs to create your visual
representation
