Humor. If it makes people laugh, they are more likely to remember it. For example, a funny character or situation that stands out. Like in a story promoting a healthy diet, if there's a character who hates vegetables but then has a hilarious encounter with a talking carrot that convinces him otherwise.
Relatability also matters. A funny propaganda story that people can see themselves in is more effective. Let's say a story about a busy office worker and how a new productivity tool helps him. If it's told in a funny way, like the tool being a magical wand that makes all his tasks disappear in a comical puff of smoke, it will work better. Because office workers can relate to the stress and the need for solutions. And the humor makes it more appealing than a dry, serious promotion.
The element of surprise can make a funny propaganda story effective. If it takes an unexpected turn. For instance, in a story promoting a travel destination. Instead of the usual beautiful scenery and relaxing time, it starts with a character getting lost in a really strange and comical way in the destination. Then as the story unfolds, it shows all the unique and wonderful things about the place. This unexpected start grabs the audience's attention and the humor keeps them engaged throughout the story.
Relatable characters. If the characters in the story are like normal people we can identify with, when they get scared by something that's not really that scary in the end, it's funny. For instance, a person who is always so brave but jumps at the sight of a balloon popping in a spooky - looking place. The contrast between their expected and actual reactions is humorous. And also, the build - up of suspense is important. You gradually make the situation seem more and more terrifying until the big reveal that it's not so bad, like when you describe a shadowy figure approaching slowly and then it's just a lost dog.
Well - developed characters. If a brand creates funny characters in their story, it can be very effective. Take the M&M's characters for example. The little candies with different personalities are really cute and funny. They have been used in various brand stories over the years, and these characters make the brand more interesting and the stories more engaging, which in turn helps promote the brand effectively.
Surprise elements make a funny cover story effective. If it suddenly takes an unexpected turn, like when you think someone is on a business trip but they say they were on a quest to find the world's biggest donut. That shock of the unexpected is hilarious.
A play on words often works well. Consider this: 'The cross - eyed teacher couldn't control his pupils.' It's funny because 'pupils' has two meanings, and the play on that in relation to a cross - eyed teacher is clever. Also, relatable situations can make a one - line story effective. If a lot of people have experienced something similar, like waiting forever for a late bus and then seeing three come at once, and it's presented in a funny way, it can be very effective.
Surprise. For example, 'Mirror, face, gone'. The sudden absence of the face in the mirror is unexpected and creates horror in a funny way.
The contrast. For example, when you start with something normal like 'My neighbor always gives me strange looks' and then follow with 'Today I found out he was looking at the ghost behind me'. The normal - to - spooky shift makes it effective.
Funny homily stories are effective because they engage the congregation. When people laugh, they become more attentive. Take a story about a bumbling angel trying to do good deeds but messing them up. It can show that even in the spiritual realm, things don't always go perfectly, and that's okay. This kind of story can make people feel more connected to the religious teachings as it shows a relatable side.
The element of the unknown makes a scary story effective. When the reader or listener doesn't know what's going to happen next, it creates a sense of unease and anticipation. For example, in a story where a character is walking alone in a dark forest and hears strange noises but can't see the source, that mystery is what scares us.
The unknown. When you leave things to the imagination, it gets really creepy. For example, in a story, instead of showing the monster clearly, just give hints like a strange sound or a shadow. That makes the reader's mind create their own terrifying image.
Simplicity. A shortest story like 'Gone.' is effective because it leaves a lot to the imagination. It can make the reader think about what has disappeared, whether it's a person, an opportunity, or something else.