Which term describes an unresolved ending intended to lure viewers to continue?

• A. Cliffhanger
• B. Flashback
• C. Juxtaposition
• D. Defamiliarization

Answer: (A)

A cliffhanger is a storytelling move that leaves an ending unresolved to entice the audience to keep watching. By ending a scene or episode at a critical moment—such as a character in danger, a major decision looming, or a key question unanswered—the viewer is motivated to return for what happens next. This technique thrives in serialized formats like TV episodes, book chapters, or film franchises, where ongoing suspense drives continued engagement.

Flashback, in contrast, is about showing past events to illuminate the present. Juxtaposition involves placing contrasting images or ideas side by side to highlight differences or create effect. Defamiliarization aims to make the familiar feel strange, prompting a new way of seeing. Each serves a different purpose, while the cliffhanger specifically targets unresolved suspense to lure the audience forward.