Build suspense with Struan Murray

This teaching sequence centers on a virtual author visit from Struan Murray, author of Orphans of the Tide.

Via an episode of the Author in Your Classroom podcast, Struan demonstrates how to hook readers, build suspense, and craft stories that are impossible to put down. Listening to him feels like having a writing mentor right in your classroom!

Teaching Overview

This unit guides children as they craft suspenseful stories from start to finish.

First, they explore how posing questions keeps readers eager to find out what happens next. Then, they plan their own stories, considering cliffhangers and twists that capture attention. Short, punchy lessons show students how to maintain suspense across scenes and entire narratives.

Next, pupils examine Struan Murray’s techniques in Orphans of the Tide. By analyzing diary extracts, plot devices, and suspenseful lines, students see how tension develops naturally in a story. Working in pairs and groups, they brainstorm ideas, test techniques, and refine their writing. Planning sheets and PowerPoint slides support each step, while a Suspense Writing Working Wall keeps inspiration front and center.

Additionally, the unit encourages experimenting with sentence length, sensory description, figurative language, and repeated words for dramatic effect. By the end, pupils produce stories brimming with suspense, ready to share with peers. Teachers can then guide discussions on sequels, helping maintain momentum for future writing projects.