dramatic tension techniques

A2 english literature

dramatic irony

the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating anticipation

verfremdungseffekt

alienating the audience from the drama to provoke critical thought (originated from bertolt brecht’s epic theatre movement)

prolepsis/foreshadowing

hints or clues about future events generate suspense

cliffhangers

a scene or act ends at a moment of high tension, leaving the audience eager for resolution

slow reveal

information is disclosed gradually, building anticipation

peripeteia

a sudden reversal of fortune, often increasing suspense

anagnorisis

a moment of realisation or discovery that can shift tension (common in tragedy)

bathos

a sudden drop from the serious to the trivial, which can deflate or heighten tension (eg: jason and his pet turtle or cynth and her tropical fish)

analepsis

a literary device in narrative, in which a past event is narrated at a point later than its chronological place in a story (flashbacks)

pauses and silence

gaps in dialogue can create unease or emphasise significance

aposiopesis

a deliberate breaking off of speech, often implying heightened emotion (dramatic pauses for effect)

pace of speech

quickened speech can convey panic, while slow, deliberate speech can build suspense

proxemics

the use of physical distance and positioning to create dramatic effect (eg: standing too close or too far apart)

levels

higher or lower physical positions can indicate power dynamics or vulnerability

paralinguistics

non-verbal vocal effects like sighs, whispers, or a strained tone, adding tension (tut tut)

gestures and movement/kinesthetics

the study of body movement, including gestures and posture (eg: gentle touch vs rough punch)

interruptions and overlapping speech

characters cutting each other off can create conflict

stichomythia

a rapid exchange of short lines, often in moments of heightened conflict (described as a verbal duel)

hemi stichomythia

a rapid exchange of half lines, often in moments of heightened conflict (common in shakespearean verse, where characters have shared lines)

ambiguity

vague or cryptic statements can create uncertainty

contradictions

characters expressing conflicting views or emotions can create unease

ellipsis

the omission of words, leaving thoughts incomplete and increasing suspense

epizeuxis

the immediate repetition of a word or phrase to intensify emotion

lighting changes

shadows, dimming, or sudden brightness can heighten suspense

chiaroscuro

literally meaning 'light-dark' — is the dramatic use of light and shadow for atmospheric affect

sound effects and music

dramatic sound cues or an eerie silence can unsettle the audience

diegetic sound

'real' sound, is made and can be heard by the characters in the story world — eg: music playing on a radio, weather sounds, door slamming, footsteps, phone ringing

non-diegetic sound

'external' or 'added-in' sound, originates outside the story world and can only be heard by the audience — eg: voice-over narration, added sound effects, background music DUN DUN DUN

props with symbolic meaning

objects that hold ominous significance can create tension — eg: a bloody knife, a locked door

tableau

a frozen stage picture that can heighten suspense before an action resumes

power struggles

characters battling for dominance can create a charged atmosphere

unanswered questions

leaving key issues unresolved keeps the audience on edge

hamartia

a character's tragic flaw that often leads to increasing tension (eg: jessie's alcoholism or brucie's substance abuse)

pathos

the evocation of strong emotional reactions from the audience

juxtaposition of emotions

a contrast in how characters are feeling can be impactful — eg: one character's calmness amid another's panic can increase discomfort