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.
Relatability also plays a part. If it's something that could potentially happen in real life, it's scarier. For instance, 'I heard my name whispered in an empty house I just moved into.' Most people have been in an empty house before, and the thought of hearing something like that is terrifying.
A two - line horror story is effective when it creates immediate fear. For example, 'The phone rang at midnight. It was my own voice on the other end.' This short scenario plays on our fear of the unknown and the uncanny. It gives just enough information to spark our imagination and make us feel uneasy.
Their simplicity. Just one line can create a sense of mystery and fear. For example, 'The old doll's eyes followed her across the room.' It gives you a quick jolt of horror without a lot of explanation.
A captivating first line often creates intrigue or poses a mystery. It grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to know more.
The element of surprise. For example, 'I sat on the park bench. The empty bench beside me whispered my name.' Just a simple, unexpected twist in the second line can be very effective.
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.
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.
Their brevity. They quickly get to the point of horror.