By making the threat seem real. If the horror story is set in a normal, everyday place like a suburban neighborhood, it makes it more relatable. And when the danger starts to unfold there, it's scarier. Also, they use jump scares. A sudden loud noise or a quick appearance of something terrifying can startle the audience. And the use of atmosphere is crucial. A dark, dank, and silent setting can make you feel on edge even before anything really bad happens.
Suspense is a big part. Writers build up tension by slowly revealing information. Take 'Jaws' for instance. The shark is not shown fully for a long time. The characters are in danger, but we don't know when it will strike next. This keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and that anticipation turns into fear. Also, they play on our primal fears like the fear of the dark, death, or being alone. In a lot of haunted house stories, the isolation of the characters in a dark, spooky place amps up the fear factor.
They often use spooky settings like old mansions, graveyards, or isolated places. For example, in 'The Shining', the Overlook Hotel is an isolated and creepy place that immediately makes the reader feel on edge. Also, the use of the unknown. In many horror novels, there are unexplained phenomena that keep the reader guessing and scared. And the creation of menacing characters, like the vampires in 'Dracula' or the demons in 'The Exorcist' can be really frightening.
They often use the unknown. For example, in many horror novels, there are shadowy creatures or events that are not fully explained at first. This lack of knowledge makes readers fear what might be lurking.
They create fear in multiple ways. One is by using the unknown. Ghosts are often not fully understood entities. In stories like 'The Woman in Black', the mystery around the woman's identity and her motives for haunting is terrifying. Also, the element of the supernatural defying the laws of nature makes us feel vulnerable. When a ghost can pass through walls or appear out of nowhere, it scares us. Moreover, the psychological aspect, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', where the characters' own minds seem to turn against them in the face of the ghostly happenings, adds to the fear.
Horror stories create fear mainly by playing on our primal fears. Things like the dark, the unknown, and death are common elements in horror. They tap into our subconscious and bring out those deep - seated fears. For instance, a story set in a pitch - black forest at night where the protagonist can't see what's lurking around them is terrifying. Additionally, unexpected twists and turns can create fear. Just when the reader thinks the character is safe, something horrible happens, like a sudden appearance of a ghost or a serial killer. Sound is also important in horror stories, whether it's the creaking of a door or a blood - curdling scream, it adds to the overall sense of fear.
Horror series and stories often use the unknown to create fear. For example, in a lot of horror stories, there are mysterious noises in the dark. We don't know what's making those noises, and that scares us. In horror series like 'The Haunting of Hill House', the old, creaky house is full of secrets that we gradually discover, but the anticipation of what we might find next is what keeps us on edge.
The archetypes in horror stories are masterful at creating fear. The possessed character archetype, for instance, scares us because it shows a loss of control. We are afraid of not being in control of our own bodies or minds. The dark forest archetype plays on our ancestral fear of the wilderness, a place where danger could be lurking everywhere. The vengeful spirit archetype creates fear as it implies that past wrongs can come back to haunt us, and there's no escaping the consequences of our actions.
Well, horror magazine stories create fear in multiple ways. First, they play on our primal fears such as the fear of death, the dark, and the unknown. They might describe a character's slow and agonizing death in a very detailed way. Second, they use atmosphere. A desolate and gloomy forest setting, with the wind howling and branches creaking, can send shivers down the reader's spine. And third, they can create a sense of helplessness in the characters, which makes the readers feel more afraid as they can put themselves in the characters' shoes.
Traditional horror stories create fear by using suspense. They build up tension, making the reader or viewer wonder what will happen next. For example, a character hears a strange noise but doesn't know what it is.
Monster horror stories create fear through their ability to tap into our subconscious. We have inbuilt fears of the abnormal and the dangerous. When a story presents a monster that is not like any normal animal or human, it triggers that fear. For example, the shape - shifting monsters in 'The Thing' are terrifying because they can be anyone or anything. Also, the settings in monster horror stories play a role. A haunted house, like in 'The Amityville Horror', is a classic. It's a place where we expect safety, but when it's filled with a malevolent monster, it shatters that expectation and creates fear. The way the stories build suspense also adds to the fear. They might start with small, strange occurrences that gradually lead to the full revelation of the monster, keeping the audience on edge all the way.