Example Outline for “Suspense” Literary Analysis Essay
I.
Introduction
a. Personal definition of ‘suspense’: weird noise at night, principal’s office, first
date
b. Poe is the master of suspense
c. Suspense is a reoccurring them in his works as well as in our own personal lives
II.
Body Paragraph 1
a. Poe builds up to a terrifying climax
b. Tell Tale Heart – strong sense of anxiety
c. Suspense in The Raven
d. Suspense in The Black Cat
e. One cannot read a Poe story without a racing heart at the end
III.
Body Paragraph 2
a. Written word can cause suspense, but so can real life experiences
b. Public speaking
c. Personal anecdote about my fear of speaking in front of my peers
IV.
Body Paragraph 3
a. Connect suspense in stories to real life
b. With Poe’s work, it ensnares the reader and makes us want to read more
c. In life, it kicks us into action
d. With both, it wraps around our souls, never willing to let go
V.
Conclusion
a. Poe knew the greatness of suspense
b. He used his own life to write his scary stories
c. True genius