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Word Clues |
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Using word clues is often an entertaining and suspenseful way to capture the reader's interest. By using words that stand for other words, the writer gives several hints of what they are describing, but they never identify it until the very end. Here is an example. |
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I froze. It loomed over me, at least seven feet of matted brown fur. It snarled and swatted at me with heavy, powerful claws. I stared, horrified at its yellowed teeth visible behind its curled-back snout. The beast came closer and closer to me and I backed up, afraid to turn my back for even a second. It was a ..... |
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Notice the bold-faced words. These are the word clues that never directly mention the animal by name. But with all the clues throughout the paragraph, what animal is it?
As obvious as these clues are, there is always a sense of satisfaction at discovering our guesses or inferences were correct.
What animal was it? It was a ... BEAR. |
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Click here to read other examples. Can you guess the animal correctly before it is stated?
Example # 1
Example #2
Example # 3 |
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WARNING WARNING WARNING
Although most of the examples are written about an animal, this suspense writing technique can be used for a great variety of characters and settings. Almost anytime there is something new coming up in your story, you could use this technique with just a sentence or two.
- when a spaceship lands in your front yard.
- when you travel back in time and you're standing in front of a castle.
- when you walk into your bedroom and see it completely in shambles (I know it doesn't look that way now!) |
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