A question on "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson ?

I am writing an essay explaining how the use of literary devices creates a sense of horror.
I wrote down things like "withheld knowledge" (that the author not telling readers the "prize" of the lottery)
but I need to rewrite it because I did not explain "how does this create a sense of horror."
What should I do?
Thanks!

Rewrite it. Explain how withholding that tidbit created a sense of horror.

I suggest you go back through the story, noting evidences of foreshadowing. If the outcome of the story will be good, why did the villagers collect stones? What is the symbolism of the black box?

To further explain how withheld knowledge in "The Lottery" creates a sense of horror, you can try the following approach:

1. Start by providing a brief summary of the story, emphasizing the anticipation and excitement surrounding the lottery.

2. Introduce the concept of withheld knowledge by explaining that the author deliberately keeps readers in the dark about the true nature of the lottery prize until the end of the story.

3. Explain how this lack of information builds suspense and tension. Readers become increasingly curious and anxious, trying to piece together clues to understand what could be so terrifying about the lottery.

4. Discuss the impact of withheld knowledge on readers' imagination. Without concrete details, readers are forced to imagine the worst-case scenarios, creating a sense of fear and unease.

5. Analyze specific instances from the story where the author hints at the horror through carefully chosen details or unsettling events. For example, you can mention the ominous black box or the townspeople's uneasiness and the subtle foreshadowing throughout the narrative.

6. Provide examples of the emotional responses triggered by the withheld knowledge. Highlight how readers experience an increasingly mounting dread, fear, and anxiety as they approach the story's climax.

7. Conclude by emphasizing a key aspect of horror: the unknown. The author's use of withheld knowledge taps into our primal fear of the unknown, leaving readers with a lingering sense of horror long after reading the story.

By following this approach, you will not only explain how withheld knowledge creates a sense of horror in "The Lottery" but will also provide a comprehensive analysis of its impact on readers' emotional response.