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Universal Principles of Storytelling for Designers
book

Universal Principles of Storytelling for Designers

by Lyle H. Sandler
June 2025
Intermediate to advanced
224 pages
4h 53m
English
Rockport Publishers
Content preview from Universal Principles of Storytelling for Designers

image Emotion

The Paradox of Suspense

When a suspenseful story remains compelling despite its familiarity.

85/100

I’ve watched the film Jaws numerous times; it’s one of my favorites. I’m well-acquainted with its plot, dramatic arcs, jump scares, and the ending. Yet, every time I rewatch the film, I find myself entangled in a state of suspense. Welcome to the paradox of suspense.

Suspense is a complex cocktail of fear, hope, and uncertainty. Emotions such as fear and hope, known as “prospect emotions,” depend on how desirable and likely we perceive a future outcome to be. If I believe an undesirable outcome is highly likely, my fear increases. On the ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780760392478