16 Tension Templates

Tension equation: [important goal/value] + [credible threat] + [uncertainty] + [time/constraint].

Information gap: Reader knows [fact]; character knows [different fact]; collision becomes likely when [event].

Choice tension: Character must choose [A] or [B]; A costs [cost], B costs [different cost].

Escalation ladder: concern → evidence of threat → narrowing options → forced choice → payoff.

Tension scene
Goal A: [x]
Goal B/constraint: [x]
Stakes: [x]
Easy solution blocked because: [x]
Escalation: [x]
Choice/consequence: [x]

Escalation ladder
Initial pressure: [x]
New information: [x]
Option removed: [x]
Cost rises: [x]
Decision: [x]

Dialogue tension
What each person wants: [x]
What neither says directly: [x]
Interruptions/silence: [x]
Turning line: [x]

Tension vs suspense
Immediate conflict/pressure: [x]
Uncertain future question: [x]
Primary reader experience: [x]
Best technique: [x]

Publication-readiness audit for Tension Writing: claim/advice/example → [ ]; strongest available source tier → [ ]; important disagreement or uncertainty → [ ]; what would change the conclusion → [ ]; publish now / qualify / revise / hold → [ ]; final verifier or source of truth → [ ].

Provenance and classification audit for Tension Writing: draft statement/example → [ ]; classify as fact / interpretation / recommendation / convention / original example → [ ]; source or internal provenance → [ ]; source date / version / checked date → [ ]; attribution needed → [ ]; recency risk → [ ]; final publishable wording → [ ].

Source-record and update audit for Tension Writing: statement / example → [ ]; external fact, project fact, interpretation, recommendation, convention, or original example → [ ]; controlling first-party / primary source → [ ]; secondary source if used → [ ]; source record / locator → [ ]; date or version checked → [ ]; update trigger → [ ]; publish / qualify / revise / hold → [ ].

Source-ledger and revision-history audit for Tension Writing: claim / recommendation / example → [ ]; source or project record ID → [ ]; source status active / superseded / corrected / retracted / retired → [ ]; claim-level last verified date/version → [ ]; event that triggered recheck → [ ]; correction / withdrawal action → [ ]; reader-facing disclosure needed? → [ ]; what changed and why → [ ]; prior wording/version retained at → [ ].

Claim/source status audit: Item [claim/source/example] | Status [active / review due / stale / corrected / retracted / superseded] | Controlling source/version [x] | Last verified [date/version] | Stale trigger [x] | Correction severity [0–3] | Reader disclosure [none / note / correction / withdrawal] | Changelog entry [what changed + why].

Dependency and propagation audit: Claim / example / recommendation [x] | Controlling source / project record [x] | Dependency strength [direct / shared / advisory / independent] | Review trigger / reason code [x] | Needs-review scope [local / direct dependents / cluster] | Replacement source requirements [x] | Carry-forward decision [x] | Propagation targets [x] | Reader disclosure / changelog action [x].

Pressure map\nWhat matters: [ ]\nCurrent threat/constraint: [ ]\nWhy an easy solution is unavailable: [ ]\nWhat becomes harder next: [ ]\nRelief beat: [ ]\nNew pressure after relief: [ ]

Known outcome / uncertain cost\nOutcome readers already know: [ ]\nMeaningful question that remains: [how / why / cost / choice]\nCompeting values: [ ] vs [ ]\nNarrowing option: [ ]\nDecision/payoff: [ ]