What caused panic during the 1938 broadcast of The War of the Worlds?

Prepare for the Praxis Literary Texts and Authors Exam using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

The panic during the 1938 broadcast of The War of the Worlds can be largely attributed to its live reporting style. The broadcast was produced in a format that mimicked a news program, which made it seem incredibly realistic and urgent to listeners. As the fictional events unfolding—namely, an alien invasion—were presented through breaking news reports, many listeners who tuned in after the introduction missed the context that it was a dramatization. This realistic portrayal led some to believe that the invasion was real, heightening their fear and prompting panic across the country, especially among those who were already on edge due to the political climate and other tensions of the time.

The other aspects, while they contributed to the overall impact of the broadcast, did not play as significant a role in inciting panic as the live reporting style. For example, the surreal portrayal of aliens invading and connections to current events in Europe did add to the tension, but it was the immediacy and authenticity evoked by the live news style that truly unsettled listeners and sparked widespread fear.

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