It’s SO Tense!

1. It’s SO Tense! • I will learn to create tension in my paper 2 stories Watch a tense scene: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnWNyKqI3Bc

2. Techniques to use: • Ellipsis … • Use one-line paragraphs to highlight danger. • PAUSE: draw out the tensest moment by describing lots of details. • Timing: escape danger at the last minute • Focus on sounds • Focus on body reactions: this delays the reader

3. Spot these effects in action: The water came rushing in as Mary and Harry pulled themselves free of the chains. It was too late. The water hit them like a force field, throwing them back against the metal ship. Their heads hit the side with a deafening clang, drowned by the cries of the water, desperate to escape its confinements. Pushing furiously against the water, Harry pulled himself up above the water gasping for air. Even above the water, he could hear the desperation of his lungs. Just his lungs…Mary was still underwater. Still the water came pounding into the room, forcing him back against the wall. ‘Mary,’ he gaped. ‘Mary where you?’ he tried to move his hands under the water but the current was too strong. He was trapped. How long had she been under, he wondered frantically. 10 seconds? Twenty seconds? His lip trembled above the water line, getting higher every second, as he thrust his head around desperate to see her smile once more. If she didn’t survive…he couldn’t even think about it. The water was higher now; almost to the ceiling. Suddenly, a gasp of air filled the room and Mary’s body flew into the air above the water line. ‘Mary!’ Harry shouted, feeling a torrent of tension leave his body. ‘I’ve got the key,’ she screamed, ‘try to get to the door.’