The 8 Types of Tension in Storytelling
- Story Marc
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Tension is the lifeblood of storytelling, keeping audiences engaged by creating uncertainty, anticipation, and emotional investment. While many think of tension as just "suspense," it actually comes in multiple forms, each serving a distinct function. Understanding these 8 types of tension allows writers to craft stories that grip readers from beginning to end.
1. Narrative Tension (What Happens Next?)
Definition: The suspense created by the audience’s desire to know what will happen next.
How It Works:
Driven by unanswered questions and withheld information.
Most commonly associated with mystery, thrillers, and adventure stories.
Examples:
A detective story withholding the identity of the murderer.
A treasure hunt where the next clue is just out of reach.
2. Emotional Tension (How Will This Affect Them?)
Definition: The tension created by the emotional stakes for the character(s).
How It Works:
Built around internal struggles, heartbreak, or difficult choices.
Works best when the audience deeply cares about the character.
Examples:
A character deciding whether to betray their best friend.
A protagonist hiding their true emotions from someone they love.
3. Interpersonal Tension (What Will They Do or Say?)
Definition: The tension between two or more characters due to conflict, secrets, or power struggles.
How It Works:
Fueled by clashing personalities, secrets, or betrayals.
Often used in dramas, romance, and political thrillers.
Examples:
A heated argument between lovers on the brink of breaking up.
A political debate where both sides refuse to back down.
4. Atmospheric Tension (Why Does This Feel Off?)
Definition: The tension created by the setting, tone, and ambiance of a scene.
How It Works:
Uses descriptions, sensory details, and subtle cues to create unease.
Often found in horror, psychological thrillers, and surreal stories.
Examples:
A seemingly abandoned house with doors that creak open on their own.
A silent forest where the protagonist senses they’re being watched.
5. Kinetic Tension (Will They Make It?)
Definition: The tension based on immediate physical danger, movement, or action.
How It Works:
Relies on urgency, high stakes, and rapid decision-making.
Found in action films, thrillers, and survival stories.
Examples:
A chase scene where the protagonist is moments from being caught.
A ticking bomb that must be defused before time runs out.
6. Information Tension (Who Knows What?)
Definition: The tension created by the audience or characters having incomplete or conflicting information.
How It Works:
Often involves dramatic irony, secrets, or hidden motives.
Works well in mysteries, thrillers, and political dramas.
Examples:
The audience knows a character is walking into a trap, but they don’t.
A spy hiding their true identity from their closest allies.
7. Psychological Tension (Is This Real? Who Can Be Trusted?)
Definition: The tension that comes from uncertainty about reality, sanity, or perception.
How It Works:
Creates paranoia, self-doubt, and unreliable perspectives.
Found in psychological thrillers, horror, and surreal fiction.
Examples:
A character questioning whether they’re hallucinating or seeing ghosts.
A mind-bending story where reality keeps shifting unexpectedly.
8. Comedic Tension (Oh No, This Is About to Go Terribly Wrong…)
Definition: The tension created by awkwardness, misunderstandings, or impending embarrassment.
How It Works:
Relies on miscommunication, absurdity, and social discomfort.
Common in sitcoms, rom-coms, and lighthearted stories.
Examples:
A character desperately trying to cover up an embarrassing mistake.
A wedding speech going horribly off the rails.
Final Thoughts
Every compelling story uses a mix of these 8 types of tension to keep the audience engaged. By understanding the different flavors of tension, writers can craft stories that are gripping, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down.
Mastering tension isn’t just about suspense—it’s about controlling audience anticipation, emotion, and engagement from start to finish.
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