#TheWritingDesk: A Detailed Study of Plot Devices with Examples
If you read or write fiction, you would have come across plot devices. Even if you didn’t know what these are called. So, what are they? Well, plot devices are techniques or elements used in storytelling to drive the plot forward, introduce conflict, reveal information, or change the direction of the story. They are an essential part of any well-crafted narrative, and as authors, we often use them to create tension, suspense, and surprise for the reader. Foreshadowing Foreshadowing is a plot device where the author hints at future events in the story, creating tension and anticipation for the reader. In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, the author foreshadows the return of Lord Voldemort throughout the early books. Cliffhanger A cliffhanger is a plot device where the story ends at a critical moment, leaving the reader in suspense until the next installment. The TV series "Breaking Bad" often used cliffhangers at the end of episodes to keep viewers engaged