Common elements in real life ghost stories include unexplained physical sensations. For instance, you might feel a touch on your shoulder when no one is around. Electrical disturbances are also common, like lights flickering or appliances turning on and off by themselves. There may be a recurrence of events at a specific time, like every night at 3 am. And sometimes, there are smells that don't seem to have a source, like the smell of old perfume or cigar smoke in a place where no one has smoked for years.
One common element is the presence of strange noises. Like unexplained creaking, moaning, or footsteps. These noises often occur in old, isolated places.
Often, there is a sense of unease or dread in these stories. Take the Stanley Hotel for instance, guests often report feeling a general feeling of being watched or in danger even when there's no visible threat. Objects moving on their own is another element. In the Bell Witch Haunting, the Bell family experienced furniture being moved and items being thrown around by the unseen spirit. And many stories involve a history of tragedy or violence associated with the location, like the Myrtles Plantation which was a site of slave - related violence and now has numerous ghost stories.
Another element is seeing apparitions. These can be shadowy figures or full - on ghost - like forms. Like the neighbor who saw the woman in white on the road. It's often a brief sighting, just enough to send a shiver down your spine.
One common element is struggle. Just like in the story I mentioned earlier about Tom, he faced the struggle of poverty and people's mockery but still chased his dream. Another element is determination. In Jack's rock - climbing story, his determination made him keep going even when he was in danger. Also, growth is common. Lily grew from a struggling student on a rocky path to a teacher who gives back to her community.
Embarrassment is a common element. For example, like in the story where someone trips in public. Also, misjudgment. Such as thinking you can do something you actually can't, like the person who thought they could jump over a puddle but ended up falling in. And haste, when you do things too quickly without thinking, like grabbing the wrong item.
Common elements in a ghost story often include a spooky setting like an old abandoned house or a dark forest. There's usually a mysterious figure, which is the ghost. Another element is strange noises, such as creaking floors or howling winds. And often there's a sense of unease or fear that builds throughout the story.
One common element is the appearance of a former actor or theater worker. For example, the ghost of an old actress still wandering the halls of the theater where she once performed.
The unknown. When there are things that can't be explained, like strange noises in an empty house. For example, if you hear creaking floors but no one is there. Also, a sense of being watched. It gives you the feeling that there's something there that you can't see. And apparitions, like seeing a figure out of the corner of your eye that vanishes when you look directly at it.
In real - life scary ghost stories, the time of night often plays a big role. It seems that most of these encounters happen at night, which adds to the spookiness. Another element is old or abandoned places. People often report seeing ghosts in old houses, empty hospitals, or derelict buildings. It's like these places hold some kind of otherworldly energy. And there's often a sense of unease or dread that comes over the person before they actually see or hear something strange.
One common element is strange noises. Like unexplained knocking or creaking sounds. It often makes people feel that there's something otherworldly present.