Which of the following would constitute an example of a fictional audience according to the passage?

• A. People gathered in a concert hall for a concert.
• B. Passersby listening to a musician in a park.
• C. People in the target demographic for a sitcom.
• D. Voters in a television talent show.

Answer: (C)

The notion of a fictional audience refers to a group that exists primarily within the context of a specific narrative or media format, rather than a tangible, real-world assembly of individuals. In this context, individuals who are in the target demographic for a sitcom are conceptualized as a fictional audience because they are considered the intended viewers the creators envision while crafting the content. This imagined audience allows writers and producers to tailor their narratives to appeal to particular tastes, preferences, and cultural contexts associated with that demographic.

This contrasts with the other options, which describe actual groups of people engaging with performances or events in real life. For instance, concert-goers and park listeners are present as genuine audiences at those specific moments, while voters in a talent show are engaging in a participatory manner. Therefore, option C accurately represents the idea of a fictional audience, as it centers on an imagined group that is targeted through content creation.