Plot twist is an essential literary device used to craft an engaging story. It is a tool that effects a surprise or sudden change in a reader’s view of a plot, setting, or character. It stirs up curiosity and eagerness in readers as they keep guessing and are unsure of what next to expect from a narrative.
Plot twist is a powerful tool that takes a reader from a point of certainty to a level of uncertainty and amazement. It redirects a reader’s mind from the known to the unexpected. Hence, their emotions become invested as they stay glued to the story.
Continue reading this article as we explore techniques for effectively crafting plot twist that can help you get your readers hooked until the last page.
Flip the Script
One of the ways to incorporate plot twist into your writing is to flip the script. Flipping the script involves reversing the narrative. You can do this by deviating from an already anticipated result. Create a particular scenario with an expected behaviour in view, then take a sudden turn to an unexpected direction. Misdirecting your audience by intentionally taking a twist from what they believe on, will alter their perspective about the entire story. However, it will keep them at alert as they are unsure of what may come up next.
Carefully Plan Your Twist
To keep your readers hooked to your story until the final page, ensure your twist is carefully planned out. Avoid crafting a plot twist that will end up confusing your readers and altering the entire storyline. Ensure the twist aligns with the overall context of the story. Your twist should come naturally and blend with the tone, purpose, and style of the narrative. If you must effectively plan a twist, ensure you understand the purpose of the story. This will help you incorporate a twist that lies within the story’s context and also choose a form of twist that fits in perfectly.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is another technique that can help you catch your readers’ attention till the end of your story. It involves giving discreet clues of events that will unfold later on in the plot. This is a way of carefully suggesting future events without completely letting it out. Events can be foreshadowed through dialogue amongst characters, symbolic representations or details having deeper meanings or relevance to the plot, unanswered questions, etc. Foreshadowing creates suspense, adds depths to the story, and makes the reader eager to know more.
Don’t be Predictable
If you must get your audience glued to story, be sure to make your twist unpredictable. Do not make it easy for it to be predicted. Your readers should not foresee your twist or predict its outcome to prevent it from becoming insignificant. You can avoid this by effectively introducing suspense or false information, springing up surprises, or using emotional moments to distract them from discovering upcoming events.
Give Your Twist Balance
Plot twist is indeed an excellent strategy to engage your readers until the end of your story. However, having a right balance will ensure its effectiveness. Plot twists should not be overused to avoid boring or confusing your audience. Incorporating too many plot twists in a story can be exhausting for readers. Use twists moderately to achieve its significance and effectiveness.
Create a Convincing Narrative
An impactful plot twist is one that catches the reader’s attention. If your twist is unrealistic and unconvincing, you completely lose your audience before your story ends. Therefore, creating a believable twist is key to having an engaged reader who is eager to read your story until the last page.
Conclusion
Crafting a great story that keeps readers hooked until the end may seem daunting but absolutely possible. You can achieve that by making your twists convincing and unpredictable, integrating foreshadow, misdirecting your readers, and carefully planning your twists. Most importantly, reading books by other authors and observing how they use plot twist is a fantastic approach.