What Is This Called?

Don Schenk · 08-30-2011, 02:46 PM

When we tell a story, but leave the ending incomplete, the listener will keep paying attention because the listener wants the story to resolve.

When we use nested stories, starting the second and third story without first ending the earlier one(s), then end them later, the listener (reader) wants to know the ending and will again pay attention waiting for the resolution.

That "wanting to know the ending" has a name. What is it?

I don't seem to remember it - not enough caffeine yet today.

Thanks.

:-Don

Alex Cohen · 08-30-2011, 02:56 PM

Don,

Leaving your reader wanting to know the ending is a cliffhanger.

In copy, the technique is known as an open loop (also often referred to as the Zeigarnik effect).

Alex

marciayudkin · 08-30-2011, 03:33 PM

Don,

It's also known as the Scheherazade effect.

Or just plain suspense.

Marcia Yudkin

ThomasOMalley · 08-30-2011, 06:25 PM

Joe Vitale has an excellent chapter on open or nested loops in his book, Buying Trances.

james1986 · 08-30-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasOMalley

Joe Vitale has an excellent chapter on open or nested loops in his book, Buying Trances.

This chapter is similar as Brownee's book but yes explained very well in that.

Don Schenk · 08-30-2011, 07:30 PM

Thank you all. (Or if I moved 15 miles south of here I would have to say, "Y'all.")

Zeigarnik effect is the word I was looking for. And "Scheherazade effect" is another.

Actually what reminded me of it was an old thread by Mal (The Copy Nazi) written over a year ago about nested loops. Someone resurrected that thread. Nested Loops - Stories Within a Story

I was aware there was a name for the listener (reader) wanting know the end of the story, but couldn't remember it for the life of me.

English is soooo strange. You can't look up a word in the dictionary unless you already know the word and how to spell it.

Thanks

:-Don

08-30-2011, 02:46 PM	#1
Don Schenk Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH and beautiful Park City, UT Posts: 1,697 Thanks: 849 Thanked 534 Times in 351 Posts	What Is This Called? When we tell a story, but leave the ending incomplete, the listener will keep paying attention because the listener wants the story to resolve. When we use nested stories, starting the second and third story without first ending the earlier one(s), then end them later, the listener (reader) wants to know the ending and will again pay attention waiting for the resolution. That "wanting to know the ending" has a name. What is it? I don't seem to remember it - not enough caffeine yet today. Thanks. :-Don
	"The 25 Profit Thieves and The 14-Day Turnaround - How To Build Any Business Fast." Get the downloadable book FREE! It's NOT a sales pitch.http://www.BuildAnyBusinessFast.com

08-30-2011, 02:56 PM	#2
Alex Cohen Copy Champion War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,001 Thanks: 45 Thanked 501 Times in 304 Posts Contact Info	Re: What Is This Called? Don, Leaving your reader wanting to know the ending is a cliffhanger. In copy, the technique is known as an open loop (also often referred to as the Zeigarnik effect). Alex

08-30-2011, 03:33 PM	#3
marciayudkin Marketing Mentor War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maui and Massachusetts Posts: 1,226 Thanks: 139 Thanked 645 Times in 305 Posts Social Networking	Re: What Is This Called? Don, It's also known as the Scheherazade effect. Or just plain suspense. Marcia Yudkin
	Author, Meatier Marketing Copy, available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, Audible audiobook “There are few genuine thought leaders in the field of copywriting. Marcia Yudkin is one of them. The strategies she presents in Meatier Marketing Copy are all easy to understand and implement, yet profoundly insightful. If you want to write marketing copy that sizzles and sells, this book is a must-read.” - Steve Slaunwhite, Author, Start & Run a Copywriting Business, Co-Author, The Wealthy Freelancer

08-30-2011, 06:25 PM	#4
ThomasOMalley HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 264 Thanks: 8 Thanked 78 Times in 66 Posts	Re: What Is This Called? Joe Vitale has an excellent chapter on open or nested loops in his book, Buying Trances.

08-30-2011, 07:30 PM	#6
Don Schenk Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH and beautiful Park City, UT Posts: 1,697 Thanks: 849 Thanked 534 Times in 351 Posts	Re: What Is This Called? Thank you all. (Or if I moved 15 miles south of here I would have to say, "Y'all.") Zeigarnik effect is the word I was looking for. And "Scheherazade effect" is another. Actually what reminded me of it was an old thread by Mal (The Copy Nazi) written over a year ago about nested loops. Someone resurrected that thread. Nested Loops - Stories Within a Story I was aware there was a name for the listener (reader) wanting know the end of the story, but couldn't remember it for the life of me. English is soooo strange. You can't look up a word in the dictionary unless you already know the word and how to spell it. Thanks :-Don
	"The 25 Profit Thieves and The 14-Day Turnaround - How To Build Any Business Fast." Get the downloadable book FREE! It's NOT a sales pitch.http://www.BuildAnyBusinessFast.com