True Crime Journalism Vs. A Jury Of Her Peers

True crime stories play a large role in current literature that embed themselves into the daily lives of people, creating a curious phenomenon. Their sensational plots attract attention and keep people longing for more. On the other hand, true crime journalism informs others and provides the facts. True crime journalism, such as “The Hossack Murder,” bears an informative purpose and centers on factual information, while true crime stories, such as “A Jury of Her Peers,” serve a purpose of entertaining by dramatizing conflict.
True crime journalism and true crime stories similarly have a purpose of informing, but true crime journalism is more informative than true crime stories. It provides factual,
In true crime stories, the author exaggerates details and dramatizes the situation. The following quote from, “A Jury of Her Peers,” demonstrates how Glaspell overemphasizes minor details, “Even after she had her foot on the door-step, her hand on the knob, Martha Hale had a moment of feeling she could not cross that threshold” (144). Glaspell struck fear and added suspense by foreshadowing an upcoming mysterious event. Sometimes, incidents in true crime stories are unrealistic and complex. In, “Why We Are Drawn to True Crime Shows,” Scott Bonn describes that true crime stories emphasize, “...exotic, bizarre and especially grisly or disturbing incidents of murder.” Stories will include strange descriptions leaving questions for the reader. In “A Jury of Her Peers,” the author, Susan Glaspell, created an odd scene where a dead bird was found in a box. This left the reader in confusion about the motive behind the death of the victim. With the use of dramatizing details, focusing on exotic details, and adding suspense, true crime stories are more entertaining than true crime