Using Sibilance to Add Suspense to Your Writing

December 12, 2022 Off By Zak Morris

A sibilance is a literary technique in which a series of words or phrases are repeated with a hissing or whistling sound. This sound is typically created by the repetition of the sounds “s” or “sh” in a sequence of words. Sibilance is often used to create a sense of suspense or tension in a passage of writing, as the hissing sound can be eerie or unsettling.

Here is an example of sibilance in a sentence: “The snake slithered silently through the grass, its scales shimmering in the moonlight.” In this sentence, the repetition of the “s” sound in “slithered silently” and “scales shimmering” creates a hissing effect that adds to the eerie atmosphere of the passage.

To create a sibilance in your own writing, you can try using words that begin with the sounds “s” or “sh” in a sequence. For example, you could use words like “sinister,” “slippery,” “sneaky,” or “shimmering” to create a sibilant effect. Alternatively, you could try using a phrase like “sizzling sassafras” or “salty sea spray” to create a hissing sound.

Overall, sibilance is a useful technique for adding suspense and tension to your writing. By repeating words or phrases with the sounds “s” or “sh,” you can create a hissing effect that draws the reader’s attention and adds to the atmosphere of your passage.

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About the author

I am Zak Morris, a 16-year-old entrepreneur from the UK. I started my website, Tutorial Agency, on the 14th of January, 2017. Tutorial Agency is a website where students and adults alike can find online tutorials for a variety of subjects. I came up with the idea for the website after struggling to find useful online tutorials myself. I wanted to create a platform where people could easily find and listen, read and watch tutorials.