What are the elements of suspense?

Question

My english teacher asked but I'm soo confused?!

Answer 1

Its the way in which suspense is made. Its basically holding off the climax longer so you want to know what will happen more.

Examples inlude cliffhangers at the end of chapters and then making you wait til thenext chapter until the climax.

Another method is dragging it out and the story saying how the person feels and the racing of the heart and the things like that.

Answer 2

     Suspense is an element unto itself.  Does she mean how to create suspense?  If that's the case, then hit the reader when he/she least expects it, ideally.  You could have something like:

     'The sweat poured off him as he slowly turned the huge iron key.  He knew what he'd find. He'd find death.  He pushed hard on the door, and it swung open slowly on tired hinges.  Harder, he pushed.  Then he slowly swung his head around the door jamb.  He knew.  He knew it would be there, waiting for him.  But nothing.  He saw absolutely nothing.  His breath came out in a gale of relief.  He walked into the room, his confidence returning.  He looked to left and right.  Down the centre.  Thank God.  He was alone.  

     Oh God Almighty!  It was behind him.'

     That's a very poor example of suspense.  It's just off the top of my head, but I hope you see what I mean and that it's been of some help to you.

Good luck

Mike B