Subverting expectations

Definition

Subverting expectations is a storytelling technique where a narrative leads the audience to anticipate a certain outcome, only to deliver a surprising twist that challenges or completely alters those expectations. This approach can enhance engagement and create memorable moments by defying traditional tropes and conventions, encouraging deeper emotional responses from the audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subverting expectations can create a stronger emotional connection by making the audience rethink their assumptions about characters and plot developments.
2. This technique is often used in genres like horror, comedy, and drama to surprise viewers and keep them engaged.
3. When writing loglines, subverting expectations can be effective in presenting unique premises that stand out from typical story formulas.
4. Effective subversion often relies on careful foreshadowing so that surprises feel earned rather than arbitrary.
5. Audience reactions to subverted expectations can vary widely; while some may appreciate the surprise, others may feel frustrated if they were deeply invested in expected outcomes.

Review Questions

• How can subverting expectations enhance the emotional engagement of an audience in storytelling?
  • Subverting expectations enhances emotional engagement by surprising the audience and challenging their preconceived notions about characters and plots. When viewers are led to anticipate one outcome but are instead presented with an unexpected twist, it can evoke stronger feelings such as shock, joy, or even sadness. This unpredictability keeps the audience invested in the story and encourages them to reflect on their assumptions.
• Discuss how subverting expectations can be effectively incorporated into loglines to make them more compelling.
  • Incorporating subverting expectations into loglines can make them more compelling by presenting a unique angle or premise that defies standard storytelling formulas. For instance, instead of simply stating that a character must save someone, a logline could hint at an unexpected consequence of their actions that leads to surprising results. By doing this, it captures interest and sets up an intriguing narrative that stands out in a crowded market.
• Evaluate the role of foreshadowing in successfully subverting audience expectations and how it affects overall narrative satisfaction.
  • Foreshadowing plays a crucial role in successfully subverting audience expectations by planting subtle clues throughout the narrative that lead to an unexpected twist. When executed well, these hints allow viewers to look back and see how the surprise was built up without being too obvious. This not only enhances narrative satisfaction but also encourages deeper analysis of the story, as audiences appreciate when twists feel earned rather than random. Conversely, inadequate foreshadowing can lead to frustration if audiences feel misled without sufficient groundwork.

Related terms

Twist Ending: A plot development at the end of a story that reveals a surprising turn of events, often changing the viewer's understanding of the narrative.

Foreshadowing: A literary device that hints at events to come in a story, which can be used to mislead the audience and enhance the impact of subverting expectations.

Cliché: An overused idea or expression that can lead audiences to form predictable assumptions, making subversion more impactful when these clichés are challenged.