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What evidence does the writer offer to suggest that readers or viewers can find cliff-hangers fascinating or alluring? Support your answer with reference to the written text - Leaving Cert English - Question A - 2013
Question A
What evidence does the writer offer to suggest that readers or viewers can find cliff-hangers fascinating or alluring? Support your answer with reference to the writ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What evidence does the writer offer to suggest that readers or viewers can find cliff-hangers fascinating or alluring? Support your answer with reference to the written text - Leaving Cert English - Question A - 2013
Step 1
What evidence does the writer offer to suggest that readers or viewers can find cliff-hangers fascinating or alluring?
Answer
The writer provides various points to justify that cliff-hangers can be seen as fascinating or alluring. For example, the text mentions that cliff-hangers trigger 'desperation' in readers, indicating a strong emotional pull that compels them to continue following the storyline. Additionally, the text references 'alarmist essays' and 'thrill-packed endings' prominent in radio broadcasts, which highlight the compelling nature of cliff-hangers. Furthermore, the notion that certain TV cliff-hangers have led to 'spawned endless imitators' reflects their allure and the engaging thrill they provide to the audience.
Step 2
Discuss how effectively each of the visual images (IMAGE 1 and IMAGE 2) helps to develop your understanding of the cliff-hanger as a storytelling device.
Answer
IMAGE 1 visually encapsulates a scene filled with tension and suspense, leaving viewers eager to know the fate of the characters. The exaggerated expressions and dramatic poses enhance the narrative's emotional stakes, while the phrase 'To Be Continued' starkly emphasizes the manipulative aspect of cliff-hangers, reminding the audience of the unresolved story. On the other hand, IMAGE 2 showcases a more modern iteration of the cliff-hanger concept, illustrating potential catastrophe through a compelling visual narrative. The audience's reaction shown in a close-up emphasizes the psychological grip such dramatic devices can have, thus effectively conveying the storytelling power of cliff-hangers.
Step 3
The New Yorker has been described as a magazine that informs, entertains and comments. Based on your reading of the written extract above, would you agree with this description?
Answer
Agreeing with the description of The New Yorker as a magazine that informs, entertains, and comments is supported by the extract. The text informs readers about the cultural significance and history of the cliff-hanger, providing clear factual context. It entertains by using engaging language and vivid imagery that appeals to the reader's emotions and sense of nostalgia. Lastly, it comments on the effectiveness and evolution of storytelling methods, indicating a reflective and analytical stance. Together, these elements illustrate how The New Yorker fulfills its dual role of both informing and entertaining its audience.