1. Intensify Your Writing Bringing Rage to the Page Adopted from Arthur Plotnik, The Writer, Nov. 2007

2. What is Intensity? Very strong emotions-- Heightened drama, suspense, anger Conflict, surprise, menace Great sadness, fear, jealousy It could contain vitriol or revelation It could be savage, wild, shocking It gets the reader’s heart beating a little faster

3. Deciding What/Where to Intensify Not too early, not too late For dramatic intensity, tension needs to build up and release—this can occur a few times over the course of your narrative Places where reader might expect intensity—provide it –An unexpected occurrence or insight –Reversal of fortune –Protagonist in deep trouble –A clash or disagreement –An emotional situation –A frightening situation

4. Deciding What/Where to Intensify Places where reader might not be expecting to find an intense situation, thus increasing its force –A revelation about a minor character or place –A small event—that triggers a disturbing or stirring meditation –A dialogue that veers into fiery argument –A stream of consciousness section that brings on a flood of strong emotion –A serene setting that is the location for a disturbing or significant event

5. Rhetorical Weaponry of Tension Shocking metaphor or simile: a smile like a shark’s mouth Urgent tone and language Exaggeration or hyperbole: “Clare’s face began to fracture.” Stream of abuse or insult A litany of hardships Violent verbal barrage

6. Rhetorical Weaponry of Tension Repetition: “This is bad. This is so bad. This is unbelievably bad. This is so unbelievably bad.” Eggers Personification: “The wall seemed to enjoy hitting me over and over as my face scraped the stones.” Vitriol and Vituperation—strong language! Foreboding Tone of fear, menace, danger: Sometimes using present tense works well here to bring in reader Add surprise Revelation: Hold back story’s mysteries until readers beg for them. Add conflict