Final answer:
Authors create suspense by strategically dividing the plot, using cliffhangers, establishing a suspenseful tone through vivid details and imagery, and employing figurative language to immerse the reader. These techniques manipulate the reader's emotions and expectations, keeping them engaged and eager to find out what happens next.
Step-by-step explanation:
Authors manipulate narrative to create suspense by paying meticulous attention to plot structure, character development, the tone of the story, and the use of language. Suspense in a story is heightened through various techniques, such as cliffhangers at the end of chapters, which compel the reader to continue turning pages to discover what happens next. This is a strategic use of pacing and plot division, often leaving the reader in anticipation of the unknown and wanting more.
Furthermore, the tone of a story - often a blend of word choice, dialogues, and descriptions - adds to the suspense. The use of vivid details and imagery, such as those found in the intense sensory experiences or the nuances of character interactions, plays into this atmosphere. For example, Twain uses vivid detail to paint a picture of the events unfolding, providing tension that the reader can feel. The narrative is enhanced by the use of figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, which allow the author to create an immersive world. Descriptive language brings the reader closer to the characters' experiences, making them more invested in the outcome. All these elements come together under the control of the author, who skillfully guides the reader's emotions and expectations throughout the story.