Here's a breakdown:
* Emotional Engagement: Suspense creates a sense of anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. It makes the reader feel invested in the characters and their fate, wanting to know what happens next.
* Intellectual Engagement: Suspense often involves puzzles, mysteries, or unresolved situations that require the reader to use their critical thinking skills. This can make reading a more active and engaging experience.
* Increased Impact: The climax and resolution of a story with strong suspense are often more impactful because the reader has been building up anticipation. The payoff is more rewarding because the reader has been emotionally and intellectually invested in the journey.
* Prolonged Interest: Suspense can keep readers turning pages, wanting to see how the story unfolds. It helps maintain a consistent level of interest and excitement throughout the narrative.
Ultimately, suspense is a powerful tool that can be used to create a deeply immersive and engaging reading experience. It is a key element in many literary genres, including thrillers, mysteries, and even romance.