What best describes the relationship between genre and audience expectations?

The choice that indicates that genre shapes what audiences anticipate from a text is accurate because genres provide a framework of conventions and characteristics that help audiences understand what they can expect. For instance, a horror story is likely to include elements designed to evoke fear, suspense, or tension, which prepares the audience for a particular type of experience. This shared understanding allows audiences to enter into a text with specific expectations regarding elements such as tone, themes, and even narrative structure.

Genres function as signposts that guide individuals in their interpretation of a work, influencing their emotional and cognitive responses. The conventions of a genre often dictate how audiences will engage with the material, enhancing their enjoyment and comprehension. For example, in a romantic comedy, viewers expect humor intertwined with romantic elements, which shapes their viewing experience and interpretation of events in the narrative.

The incorrect responses suggest misunderstandings about the interplay of genre and audience expectations. For instance, one choice implies that genre has little impact on audience expectations, which overlooks the fundamental role that familiar conventions play in shaping how stories are received. Another response posits that audience expectations are strictly personal, disregarding the collective understanding fostered by genre conventions. The suggestion that genres can be ignored by the audience entirely fails to recognize that genres generally guide audience