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Response peper

Name : Infiter Hasnat

Course name:Academic Reading and Writing

Section: 8

ID: 233016902

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Hilarie Pozesky, the author, discusses her unease with true crime television, particularly after

watching a dramatized depiction of her friend Melissa's murder. Melissa, described as a cultured painter,

was killed by her estranged husband. However, the TV show distorted the facts by false suspects and

introducing fictional elements . Pozesky laments how this dramatization dehumanized Melissa,

transforming her tragic death into a predictable crime story, thereby downplaying the actual issue of

domestic violence. The author stresses the importance of acknowledging the harsh reality behind such

narratives and ensuring that they don't overshadow the true crime – the loss of a unique human life.

Hilary Pojeski's insightful piece, "True Crime," grapples with the complex dynamics of true crime

television (Pozesky, 2023). Initially irritated by the complexities of the genre, the narrative takes an

emotional turn when the author is confronted with a vivid reconstruction of a friend's tragic death. This

investigation delves deeply into the unsettling transformation of a real-life tragedy into a screenplay and

dramatic show.

The overall tone of the articel is that blends sorrow, discontent, and frustration. The author

reflects on the profound emotional impact caused by the tragic death of their friend, Melissa's criticizes

the way true crime TV sensationalizes and distorts real events (True Crime TV Show). The critical tone

extends to the dramatization of Melissa's story, highlighting how it erodes her uniqueness, presenting a

genuine tragedy as a standardized narrative, and, in turn, diminishing the gravity of the larger issue of

domestic violence.

The author probably adopted this tone to communicate the emotional significance of Melissa's

passing and to articulate their dissatisfaction with the callous dramatization of her story in true crime

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shows. Specifically, they are concerned about the removal of her unique qualities and formulaic narrative

and the reduction of her tragic experience to a predictable.

In the paragraph introducing Melissa's death, there's a tone of shock and sorrow, evident in

phrases like "Struck" and "I realized I hadn’t heard from her in a while" Melissa's Tragedy). As the author

discusses the dramatization of the TV show, the tone shifts to one of criticism and dismay, emphasized by

statements like "The writers transformed my friend’s brutal and sorrowful demise into a clichéd mystery,

thereby erasing her individuality and humanity" and "I felt emotionally exposed witnessing Melissa’s life

portrayed like a mere spectacle". In the last paragraph, a contemplative and assertive tone emerges,

underlining the significance of acknowledging the genuine issues obscured by the sensationalized

narratives prevalent in true crime shows.

Author Hilary Pojeski uses a range of literary techniques to convey emotional impact and validate

sensationalism in "True Crime."

Imagery: Using phrases such as "a deep gash on his forehead" and "bloody palm" creates vivid mental

images, heightens emotional responses, and associates the reader with the tragic event.

Symbolism: The red drum set serves as a symbol of Melissa's creativity, while the gruesome costumes and

plastic shrunken heads symbolize the sensational and dehumanizing nature of true crime shows.

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Foreshadowing: Expressions like "I felt raw watching Melissa's life play out like a sandbox" expect readers

to be prepared to pursue a critical, emotional response to a true crime show.

Irony: The disclaimer, "This is a dramatization of true events," introduces irony as the author reveals how

the show perverts events, underscoring the gap between sensational narrative and authentic tragedy.

Penetration: Repetition of the "B" word "Bloody palms" and "barefoot and shoulders" heightens the

impact of the autopsy scene, emphasizing the unsettling brutality and Melissa's death.

These literary devices collectively accentuate the emotional depth of the author's narrative, criticize its

sensibilities, emphasize the importance of acknowledging the truth behind such narratives, and real

tragedies.

The "True Crime" article by Hilarie Pozesky effectively utilizes a range of context clues and

vocabulary tactics to communicate its message.

Context Clues for Character Description:

The expression "beautiful, fit blond" utilizes descriptive language, offering context clues about Melissa's

physical appearance.

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The description "well-read painter" leverages context to portray Melissa's artistic inclinations and

intellectual

Temporal Context Clues:

The mention of the late ‘80s establishes temporal context, aiding readers in grasping the timeframe of the

author's high school experience with Melissa.

Emotional Context Clues:

Phrases such as "I felt raw" and "shivered at the close-up" incorporate emotional context to articulate

the author's feelings and responses.

Vocabulary to Indicate Surprise and Discovery:

The author employs the term "struck" to convey surprise upon realizing the absence of communication

from Melissa, creating a sense of discovery and emotional impact.

Legal Vocabulary:

Terminology like "restraining order" and "judge’s intervention" introduces legal context clues, facilitating

the understanding of events related to Melissa's death

Vocabulary Relating to Media Production:

The use of the term "dramatization" is pivotal in signifying the production technique employed in the TV

show, guiding readers in comprehending the portrayal of real events.

These context cues and vocabulary choices collectively contribute to shaping the tone of the article,

conveying the author's critique of actual crime patterns and evoking emotional responses.

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In the article's culmination, Pozesky unravels Melissa's disquieting portrayal in a true crime

production, prompting a contemplation of the broader implications within this genre. The allure of

voyeurism and the tendency to distance real stories are highlighted as inherent paradoxes of these shows.

Through the lens of Melissa's experience, Pozesky emphasizes the authentic human toll overshadowed

by sensationalized dramatization. Mourning Melissa's "useless death twice," the article serves as a

poignant reminder of the true crime genre's propensity to sacrifice genuine humanity in its pursuit of

captivating narratives.

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