SOAP OPERA
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. Origin/History
The soap opera form first developed on American radio in the 1920s, and expanded into television starting in the 1940s, and is normally shown during the daytime, hence the alternative name, daytime serial. The first concerted effort to air continuing drama occurred in 1946 with the serial Faraway Hill.

The term "soap opera" originated from the fact that when these serial dramas were aired on daytime radio, the commercials aired during the shows were largely aimed at housewives. Many of the products sold during these commercials were laundry and cleaning items. Broadcasters hoped to interest manufacturers of household cleaners, food products, and toiletries in the possibility of using daytime radio to reach their prime consumer market: women between the ages of eighteen and forty-nine.

2. Definition
The "soap" in soap opera alluded to their sponsorship by manufacturers of household cleaning products; while "opera"......

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Title: Soap Opera
Approximate Word Count: 2671
Approximate Pages: 11 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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