Final answer:
When reading suspenseful stories, understanding the structure and character development helps predict the outcome and the direction of the plot. Looking for hints in the narrative organization and analyzing the main conflict are crucial in this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When reading a suspenseful story like "The Sniper," making predictions about the plot and the fate of characters adds to the reader's engagement with the text. Authors often provide hints about the outcome through their narrative structure, chapter endings, and the detail they provide through characters' actions and dialogue. For instance, noticing if a chapter ends on a cliffhanger or resolves a situation can clue readers into the pace and direction of the story. Similarly, paying attention to the development of the main conflict, as well as the stages of the narrative such as the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, is key to understanding the trajectory of the story. When analyzing characters, it's beneficial to consider their reliability and the changes they undergo, which may also provide insights into the story's development. These are fundamental aspects of literary analysis that can help readers predict possible endings and discern the overarching theme of the narrative.