High School

Which punctuation choice effectively creates suspense and emphasizes a shift in thought in the sentence?

A. She stepped into the dimly lit room; it seemed haunted, and she shivered.

B. She stepped into the dimly lit room, that seemed haunted, and she shivered.

C. She stepped into the dimly lit room... it seemed haunted, and she shivered.

D. She stepped into the dimly lit room: it seemed haunted, and she shivered.

Answer :

Final answer:

Using a dash or a colon in the sentence creates suspense and highlights a shift in thought effectively. These punctuation marks draw attention to the emotional response that follows the action. A comma, however, would not achieve this effect.


Explanation:

Creating Suspense in Writing

In the sentence you provided, to effectively create suspense and emphasize a shift in thought, consider using a dash (–) or a colon (:). Both punctuation marks can serve to create a pause that draws the reader's attention to the information that follows.

Using Strong Punctuation Choices

  • Dash: Using a dash can create tension or set up an unexpected turn in the narrative. For example: "She stepped into the dimly lit room that seemed haunted—she shivered." This punctuation highlights the eerie sensation she feels immediately after her action.
  • Colon: A colon can also be effective by introducing an explanation or elaboration. For example: "She stepped into the dimly lit room that seemed haunted: she shivered." Here, the colon emphasizes that her shivering is a direct response to the haunting atmosphere.

In contrast, using a comma would not create the desired suspense. Both the dash and the colon successfully indicate a shift in thought while sustaining the suspense of the moment.


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