Why It Matters
Ellipsis forces the reader to pause and wonder. It's a simple but effective way to add mystery or tension to a moment in your story.
Examples
“I pushed open the door and there, on the table, was... nothing. The room was completely empty.”
-- Builds expectation then subverts it“"I know what you did..." she whispered.”
-- Implies a threat or secret“The footsteps stopped. The handle turned. The door opened... slowly.”
-- Draws out a tense momentUse ellipsis sparingly — once or twice per piece at most. If you use it too often, it loses its power and starts to feel like a crutch. Place it before a revelation, a twist, or a moment of high tension.
Practice Exercises
Try these exercises to practise using ellipsis for suspense in your own writing. Click "Show Suggestions" to see example answers.
1
Write a sentence using an ellipsis to create suspense before a reveal.
I reached into the box, my fingers brushing against something cold, something smooth, something... alive.
The answer to the riddle had been there all along. Written on the back of the photograph, in Gran's handwriting, were three words... my name.
Related Techniques
Short Sentences for Impact
Using a very short sentence (sometimes just one or two words) to create drama, shock, or emphasis.
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Pacing and Slow-Motion Writing
Controlling the speed of your narrative — slowing down at key moments for drama, speeding up when action is happening fast.
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Creating Atmosphere
Using a combination of setting description, word choice, sentence length, and literary devices to create a specific mood or feeling in a scene.
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