Final answer:
Tension in a story is crucial as it drives the narrative forward, engages readers, and is central to the development of the story's purpose and theme. It builds through rising action and peaks at the climax, resolving in the falling action and resolution where themes are often explored.
Step-by-step explanation:
The creation of tension in a story serves several important functions. It is essential as it acts as the driving force of narrative, propelling the plot and deepening the reader's engagement with the story. Conflict often serves as the central struggle faced by a character, which keeps readers involved by urging them to discover how these challenges will be resolved. Without this tension, a story would lack momentum and fail to hold the reader's interest.
Furthermore, tension is crucial for the development of the story's purpose and theme. It is often introduced through an inciting incident in the story's exposition, building through the rising action, climaxing at the story's peak, and eventually resolving during the falling action and resolution. The theme of the story is frequently explored and revealed through the resolution of the conflict, sometimes paired with a revelation about a larger life lesson or human condition.
Moreover, tension is not only developed through events but also through character interactions and dialogue, which can increase tension and define the conflict. By identifying and maintaining the central conflict, authors ensure that the narrative stays on course and contributes to the overall message of the writing.