What Is Tension In A Story?

What Is Tension in Writing? Tension in a literary context is

the sense that something ominous is right around the corner

. Building a large amount of tension as a writer keeps your readers engaged up until the end of the story. … Good use of tension makes a story worth reading and keeps readers guessing.

What is an example of tension in a story?

One popular theory is that tension is created by dread of an event. For example a

scene in which a detective sneaks around a house is tense

because the reader is constantly aware that he may be caught. This seems like a reasonable theory until you look at it a bit closer.

How do you describe tension in a story?

Think of tension as

the thoughline connecting plot points, sub-plot points, and character development

. Tension is made manifest through a buildup of suspense that is heightened as your protagonist’s situation changes.

What does tension mean in literature?

Tension,

a balance maintained in an artistic work

(such as a poem, painting, or musical composition) between opposing forces or elements; a controlled dramatic or dynamic quality. Related Topics: Art. In literature the term has been variously used and defined.

How do you show tension in writing?

1. Get readers attached to your characters. …
2. Heighten the stakes. …
3. Create character conflict. …
4. Master the art of pacing. …
5. Time your tension effectively. …
6. Introduce exponential tension. …
7. Consider using cliffhangers.

How do you describe tension?

1 : the

act of straining or stretching

: the condition of being strained or stretched I adjusted the strap’s tension. 3 : a state of unfriendliness There was tension between the two groups.

How do you describe the feeling of tension?

Stress

is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand.

What are the 4 types of tension?

There are four major types of stress:

time stress, anticipatory stress, situational stress, and encounter stress

.

How do you write romantic tension?

1. Set up the tension. Keep saying no to your characters. …
2. Backstory slows things down, so plan ahead. Leaving details about the character in question until later in the story is an effective way to intrigue your readers. …
3. Make the reader feel emotions right along with your characters.

How do you build tension?

1. Create a conflict crucial to your characters.
2. Create engaging characters with opposing goals.
3. Keep raising the stakes.
4. Allow tension to ebb and flow.
5. Keep making the reader ask questions.
6. Create internal and external conflict.
7. Create secondary sources of tension.
8. Make the story unfold in a shorter space of time.

How does tension affect a story?

TENSION in literature is important because

it evokes emotion in the reader

. Think of it in terms of real-life tension–that tight, stretched feeling in your belly that makes you all jittery. This is what you want your reader to feel in every single scene of your story.

Why is tension needed in a story?

Tension is a required element in every story.

Readers want to feel excited when reading your story

. They want to emotionally invest in your story, the characters and the scenes. The most effective way to elicit this response in your reader is through tension.

Is there a difference between tension and suspense?

Tension means stress or nervousness while suspense has to do with waiting, expectations and not knowing what is going to happen next:

There was a tension between the two men

. The meeting between the hero and his rival was filled with suspense and tension.

How do you build horror tension?

1. Terribly Good Tips For Writing Suspense And Creating Fear In Fiction.
2. Write Great Protagonists. …
3. Write Great Antagonists. …
4. Go Dark. …
5. Isolate Your Characters. …
6. Focus On The Breath. …
7. Call An Expert. …
8. Chase Questions.

What is the root word of tension?

tension Add to list Share. … The noun tension has its Latin roots

in tendere

, which means to stretch, and tension occurs when something is stretched either physically or emotionally. Strained relations between countries can cause political tensions to rise. You can add tension to a rubber band by stretching it tight.

What are the different types of tension?

Tension is a state of mental or emotional stress, usually with an element of suspense. Types of tension: There are many different types of tension. Here is a short list:

horror, mystery, romantic tension, social tension, familial tension, nervous tension, and comedic tension.