R JERTY JEHJ….. (Please refer to your newspaper for complete puzzle.)
TODAY’S CLUE: E = H
ANSWER: I THINK THAT MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS’ FAVORITE KINDS OF BOOKS AND MOVIES OUGHT TO BE CLIFFHANGERS.
Cliffhanger
Storytelling Technique • Suspenseful Ending
Overview
A cliffhanger is a storytelling technique in which a book, television episode, film, or other narrative ends at a moment of high suspense. The unresolved situation encourages the audience to return to discover what happens next.
History
The term originated from serialized adventure stories in which a hero was left in apparent danger at the end of an installment, sometimes literally hanging from a cliff. Readers eagerly awaited the next chapter to learn the outcome.
How It Works
A cliffhanger creates tension by delaying an important answer or outcome. Writers often use unexpected twists, unanswered questions, or moments of danger to keep audiences emotionally invested in the story.
Common Uses
Cliffhangers are widely used in novels, comic books, television dramas, streaming series, films, and podcasts. Season finales and serialized stories often rely on them to maintain audience interest between releases.
Fun Facts
Not every cliffhanger involves physical danger. Modern cliffhangers may center on emotional decisions, surprising revelations, unresolved mysteries, or dramatic plot twists that leave audiences eager for the next installment.
Legacy
The cliffhanger remains one of the most effective storytelling techniques for building anticipation. Its ability to create suspense has made it a lasting feature of entertainment across many different forms of media.
Sources