Effective ways include creating a sense of dread from the very beginning. Maybe start with a character finding a mysterious object. Develop the atmosphere by using words that evoke fear, such as 'gloom', 'darkness', and 'foreboding'. Also, introduce a conflict that seems impossible to escape. It could be a curse or a malevolent force that is constantly chasing the protagonist. Finally, end the story in a way that leaves the reader with a chill, like a final revelation that makes them rethink everything they've just read.
Use a simple but spooky premise. For example, a doll that moves on its own. Then, build on that with a slow - building tension. Make the reader wonder what's going to happen next. Add in some jump scares, like a sudden noise or a face appearing in the window. And keep the story short and concise so the horror doesn't get diluted.
Surprise. For example, like in the story where a girl opens the door expecting to see something but doesn't, and then is suddenly touched from behind. It catches the reader off - guard.
Effective short horror stories usually have a concise plot that doesn't waste time. They might use sensory details to make the horror feel real. And a surprise ending can be a big plus.
One important element is the setting. A spooky, isolated place like an old mansion or a dark forest can create an immediate sense of unease. For example, in 'The Fall of the House of Usher', the decaying mansion adds to the horror. Another element is the unknown. When there are things that the characters and the readers can't fully understand, it's scary. Also, a sense of impending doom, like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where you know something bad will happen with each wish.
Start with a sudden, unexpected event. Like a car crash in the middle of a desolate road at midnight. The protagonist is dazed and confused, and then they start to notice strange things around them. It gets the reader's heart racing immediately.
To make a good short horror story, you need to play with the reader's emotions. Use elements of the unknown and the supernatural. You can have a character experience strange visions or premonitions. Create a sense of isolation for the main character, whether it's being alone in a forest at night or locked in a small room. And make the threat seem real and immediate, so that the reader can feel the danger as if they were in the story themselves.
Create a spooky setting like an old, abandoned house. Build suspense by hinting at something bad to come without revealing it right away. And have an unexpected twist at the end, for example, the 'victim' turns out to be the real villain.
You can end it with a powerful image. Say, a lone figure standing on a cliff as the sun sets, which can symbolize many things like new beginnings or solitude. It allows the reader to interpret it in their own way and gives a sense of finality.
One important element is the pacing. In just one page, the story needs to build tension quickly. It might start with a normal situation, like a person walking home at night. Then, little by little, strange things start to happen - a shadow that seems to be following, a strange smell. By the end of the page, it should reach a crescendo of horror. Also, strong, vivid imagery helps. Describing a grotesque monster with details like 'its eyes, glowing red, and its slime - covered tentacles' can make the horror more palpable in a short space.
Suspense is key. For example, in a story where a character is being followed, not showing who or what is following right away keeps the reader on edge. Another element is the use of the unknown. Like in a story set in an old, creepy house with strange noises coming from rooms that the character can't see into. It makes the reader's imagination run wild.
One way could be to describe an eerie setting. For example, 'The old, dilapidated house stood at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the darkness.'