1. Elements of Literature #4
Elements of Mystery
and Suspense

2. Suspense The predominant Mood in a mystery is one of suspense
Suspense = The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader feels about what will happen in a story
Foreshadowing
Dilemma
Mystery
Reversal

3. Suspense
An author’s use of the following elements contributes to building suspense in a story
-- Foreshadowing
Dilemma
Mystery
Reversal
Irony

4. Foreshadowing
The author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will happen later in their story
The use of foreshadowing helps to build a feeling of suspense

5. Dilemma
A character that we care about is put in peril or must choose between two dangerous courses of action
Facing a choice with no good options

6. Mystery
The creation of suspense by withholding information or by presenting unusual circumstances

7. Reversal
A sudden change in a character’s situation from good to bad or vice versa

8. Red Herring a false clue or lead
According to some old tales, fugitives would pull red herrings (actual fish) across the trail of hounds to confuse them and throw them off their trail. Mystery writers deliberately “fake-out” readers by planting misleading clues.

9. Irony
Irony: differences in appearance and reality, or expectations and results, or meaning and intention
Dramatic Irony:
a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true
Situational Irony:
an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, readers, or audience
Verbal Irony:
words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant (i.e. sarcasm, double-entendre, etc.)