A soothing rhythm in the language. The words are often chosen carefully to be gentle on the ears. There might be repetition of certain phrases, like 'and the little one slept' or 'in the land of dreams'. This helps to lull the listener into a sleepy state.
Friendly characters. Such as kind fairies, cute animals like bunnies or kittens. They make the story comforting. Also, there's often a simple plot that doesn't have too much excitement or conflict, like a character just going to sleep and having a pleasant dream.
One common element is the feeling of being unable to move. It's like your body is frozen while your mind is awake. Another is the sense of a presence. People often report feeling as if there's someone or something in the room with them. Also, some experience a feeling of pressure on their chest, as if something is sitting on them.
One common element is the absurdity. Like dreaming of impossible things such as flying pigs or talking trees. Another is the unexpected, for example, waking up in a completely different place in your dream than where you actually fell asleep. Also, dreams that involve your daily life in a very distorted way can be really funny, such as your pet turning into a giant and chasing you around the house in your sleep.
One popular English author sleep story is by Lewis Carroll. 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' can be a great sleep story. The fantastical world of Wonderland, with its strange characters like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, can lull you to sleep as you imagine Alice's journey. Another is J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan'. The story of the boy who never grows up and his adventures in Neverland, flying with Tinker Bell, can be very relaxing at bedtime. And Beatrix Potter's tales, such as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'. The gentle adventures of the little rabbit in Mr. McGregor's garden are quite soothing.
One common element is a calm and gentle setting. For example, a cozy bed or a peaceful forest. Another is a friendly character, like a kind animal or a magical being. These characters often take the child on a journey, either in their dreams or in a magical world.
One common element is the use of sounds. For example, in many go to sleep horror stories, there are unexplained creaking noises, like the floorboards creaking as if something is slowly approaching the bed. Also, a sense of isolation is often present. The person in the story is usually alone in a room or a house when these terrifying things start to happen while they're trying to go to sleep.
One common element is the clown's appearance. Usually, they have brightly colored clothes, big shoes, and a painted face. For example, a red nose is very typical. Another element is the clumsy actions they often do, like tripping over their own feet or dropping things. This is to create humor. Also, interaction with the audience is common. The clown might pick a person from the audience to be part of their act, which adds an element of surprise and fun.
One common element is a spooky setting like an old, abandoned house or a dark forest. These places create an immediate sense of unease. Another is the presence of the unknown. For example, strange noises or figures that the characters can't immediately explain. Death is also often involved, either through a past event that haunts the present or as a threat to the characters in the story.
Confusion is a very common element. Like mistaking one thing for another, just like the story where someone thought their cat was a dragon. Another common element is doing everyday tasks in a really strange way. For example, making coffee wrong like my coworker did.
Common elements in an English short story include characters. The characters drive the story forward. There are also settings, which can be a specific time and place like a small town in the 19th century or a modern city apartment. Plot is another key element. It consists of the sequence of events such as the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Theme is also important, it could be about love, friendship, growing up or many other things that the author wants to convey to the readers.
One common element is old, spooky locations like mansions, castles or abandoned buildings. Another is the presence of a wronged or tragic figure, such as a betrayed lover or a victim of a crime. Also, there are often strange noises, cold spots, and unexplained lights.