So far this year, the Grade Three children have learned how to write a story with an entertaining beginning, and elaborative details of the story setting, characters, and objects. This week, we are learning how to create suspense leading up to an important discovery in our story (specifically: the discovery of a snow monster).
To develop suspense, we are focussing on a technique called “The Magic of Three“, as described by Barbara Mariconda (www.empoweringwriters.com ). The number three has been historically significant in many famous stories, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Wizard of Oz, The Three Little Pigs, The Three Billy Goats Gruff… the list goes on. ‘The Magic of Three’ technique uses the number three to create suspense – or t’page turning build up’ – for the reader.
The Magic of Three uses 3 ingredients that, when combined in order, builds suspense for the reader. The ingredients are
- red flag words (such as Suddenly, Just then, All of a Sudden, Without Warning…)
- a hint
- a reaction from the main character
This should be repeated 3 times before revealing the discovery to the audience. The first hint (using any of the five senses) signals that something is wrong but can easily be shrugged off or dismissed by the main character. The second hint (usually using a different sense) is more obvious and triggers a bigger reaction in the main character. The third hint (using another sense) is altogether undeniable and comes just before the discovery. This hint triggers the biggest reaction in the main character. Below is an anecdotal example of suspense using ‘The Magic of Three’:
Suddenly I heard a peculiar rustling sound in the bushes. I slowed down and glanced towards the noise. The sound stopped and I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, so I shrugged and walked on. A moment later, I caught a glimpse of something moving behind the trees. I froze in my footsteps and peered through the darkness. Nothing. Feeling nervous, I turned back to the path and began to walk more quickly. Just then, something touched me on the shoulder. Something large and furry. I spun around and gasped. I found myself face to face with the one and only Big Foot himself!
One way you can practice this with your child at home is by looking for examples of suspense in the books you read together. Look for red flag words, hints or word referents. Another idea is to practice verbal story telling with your child, challenging them to make up a really suspenseful part of a story or sharing your own with them. This is a great opportunity to listen to the vocabulary your child uses and offer them ideas to enhance it (example: “Instead of a strange noise, why don’t you say peculiar noise”).
Miss Fear's Grade 3 Class 