Tension

Definition

Tension refers to the mental or emotional strain that arises from conflicting ideas, emotions, or circumstances. It plays a crucial role in storytelling and interviewing by creating drama and engagement, encouraging deeper exploration of subjects and interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tension can arise during interviews when sensitive topics are addressed, leading to an atmosphere that encourages candid responses.
2. In storytelling, tension is vital for keeping the audience engaged; it motivates them to invest emotionally in the characters' journeys.
3. Effective use of tension can enhance the pacing of both interviews and narratives, driving the action forward and keeping viewers or listeners on the edge of their seats.
4. Tension often emerges from unanswered questions or dilemmas faced by characters or interview subjects, compelling the audience to seek resolution.
5. Balancing tension with moments of relief or resolution is important; too much tension can overwhelm an audience, while too little can make the narrative feel flat.

Review Questions

• How does tension contribute to character development in storytelling?
  • Tension is essential for character development because it reveals how characters respond under pressure. When faced with challenging situations or conflicts, their true nature emerges, allowing the audience to see their strengths and weaknesses. This dynamic helps create relatable and complex characters that resonate with viewers, as they witness their growth through overcoming obstacles driven by tension.
• Discuss how an interviewer can create tension effectively to elicit deeper responses from subjects.
  • An interviewer can create effective tension by asking thought-provoking or challenging questions that push subjects outside their comfort zones. By introducing sensitive topics or exploring conflicting emotions, the interviewer can provoke genuine reactions that reveal more about the subject's thoughts and feelings. This approach not only keeps the conversation engaging but also encourages subjects to open up in ways that surface rich, meaningful insights.
• Evaluate the impact of unresolved tension on audience engagement in narratives and interviews.
  • Unresolved tension significantly enhances audience engagement by maintaining interest and curiosity. In narratives, it creates a sense of urgency for viewers to discover what happens next, fostering a deeper emotional investment. In interviews, unresolved tension can lead audiences to ponder the complexities of the subject's experiences, encouraging them to reflect on broader themes. Ultimately, effectively managing unresolved tension can elevate both storytelling and interviewing by transforming passive observation into active contemplation.

Related terms

Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces, often serving as a driving element in narratives that generate tension.

Suspense: The intense feeling of anticipation or anxiety about what will happen next in a story, often linked to the build-up of tension.

Emotional Engagement: The connection an audience feels towards characters or subjects in a narrative, often heightened by moments of tension.