Writing with Suspense: A Google Slideshow

Writing with suspense is an essential skill for any writer, as it can keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. However, teaching students how to incorporate suspense in their writing can be challenging for teachers. Fortunately, Writing with Suspense is an interactive slideshow with 14 slides that provides a step-by-step lesson plan, with objectives and learning targets aligned to the Common Core Standards, that can be used to teach 6th-9th grade students the techniques authors use to create suspense in their writing. It is perfect for both a Creative Writing class and an English Language Arts class as a lead-in or a follow-up to a unit on Horror and Suspense. The slide show is also appropriate for 10th-12 grade as well as GATE, RSP, ELL, and general ed students.

The lesson plan is divided into 14 slides, each providing clear instructions and examples for students. In the first few slides, students are introduced to the concept of suspense and are given opportunities to discuss what suspense is and examples of suspense in movies, books, and TV shows with a partner. The slideshow also includes information on techniques authors use to add suspense to their writing, such as foreshadowing, pacing, and withholding information.

In addition, there are several slides with photos and questions to help students identify and discuss what techniques they would use to create suspense in their own writing. This hands-on approach allows students to apply what they have learned in a practical and engaging way. They will also learn how to incorporate suspense in their own writing, using various techniques such as Finally, students are given sentence starters to help them write their own story, scene, or poem using the suspenseful techniques they have learned.

What's included:

1 pdf of a Google slide show with 12 ready-to-display slides which includes

--2 slides with an introduction and a lesson plan

--2 think, pair, share slides on what is suspense and what are examples of suspense in movies, books, and TV shows with two additional slides with information related to the think, pair, share slides followed by a slide with a definition of suspense

--2 slides detailing techniques writers use to create suspenseful writing

--3 slides with 8 suspenseful photos and question prompts for students to discuss

--1 slide with potential sentence starters

• Check out these other Writing Slideshows I have created: 

  • The Setting Sets the Mood: How to Write Effective Settings

  • 24 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Students

  • 24 Additional Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Students

  • Flash Fiction: 24 Creative Writing Prompts for Students

  • Characterization: What It Is and How to Develop It

  • Writing with Suspense: A Google Slideshow

  • The Setting Sets the Mood: Teaching Students How to Write an Effective Setting

  • 14 Random Writing Prompts: Character, Situation, Prop, Setting, Phrase

  • 8 Picture Writing Prompts and Lesson Plan: Setting, Character, and Dialogue

• If you have any questions, please email me at gruenwaldy1@gmail.com