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Burning Questions

One of the best ways to build suspense in a story is by planting burning questions in the reader’s mind. These are the mysteries, secrets, or problems that keep the audience guessing and eager to read on. What’s behind the locked door? Why is the main character acting so strangely? Will they escape in time? By revealing just enough information to spark curiosity—but not enough to give everything away—writers create tension and excitement. Readers are left wondering, predicting, and craving answers, making it impossible to put the story down!

• The Gift
• The Button
• The Tiger

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Look at the image and create a list of as many different burning questions as you can think of.

Use some of these burning questions to create a paragraph that builds suspense.

Example Burning Questions

• Who left the gift?
  
• Why doesn't it have a gift tag?,
• Is it heavy? Is it light?
• Is the gift something wonderful… or something dangerous?
• What would it sound like if I rattled it?
• Is the gift meant for me? Or someone else?
• Why does it make me feel worried / anxious?
• Will someone notice if I peak inside?

Example Paragraph

​What could be inside that box?  Is it for me? My parents will be home soon. I could just wait and ask them.  But…it isn’t wrapped very tightly.  Could I could just take a quick peek inside? No one would ever know.

Look at the image and create a list of as many different burning questions as you can think of.

Use some of these burning questions to create a paragraph that builds suspense.

Example Burning Questions

• What happens if the button is pressed?
• Why is there no label or explanation for what it does?
• Who put the button here, and why?
• Has anyone pressed it before, and if so, what happened?
• What do the arrows on the button mean?
• Is it a trap, a test, or something else altogether?
• Why does the air feel tense, as if pressing it would change everything?
• Should I give into temptation and press the button?
• Is it safe to press?
• If I don’t press it, will I always wonder what if?

Example Paragraph

I was told never to press the red button. But I couldn't help but wonder - why not? What would happen if I was to press it? Could it really be that bad? The more I thought about the button, the more tempting it was becoming to press it. My mind raced. If I was to press the button would I get caught? Or could I get away with it?

Look at the image and create a list of as many different burning questions as you can think of.

Use some of these burning questions to create a paragraph that builds suspense.

Example Burning Questions

• Why is the tiger crouching? Is it ready to pounce, or simply watching?
• Has it already seen me? Is there still time to escape?
• What is it waiting for?
• Is it hungry, threatened, or just curious?
• Why is it licking its lips like that?
• Would anything possibly break its focus?
• Why does the tiger’s golden gaze feel locked onto me, unblinking?
• Should I stand my ground or run?
• What will happen in the next heartbeat when the tiger finally makes its move?

Example Paragraph

​Just ahead, crouched low in the long grass, a tiger appeared. Its golden eyes locked onto me, unblinking. Was it waiting to attack, or just watching? My heart pounded. Could I move without making a sound, or had it already decided I was his next meal? His tail flicked once, slow and deliberate. Was that a warning? I held my breath, my legs frozen. Should I run? Or would that begin a chase? The air felt thick and heavy with danger. One more second, and the tiger would make its move…