A great scary story often has relatable characters that you care about, so you feel their fear. And a build-up of tension that explodes into terrifying moments makes it memorable.
The setting is crucial too. A spooky old house, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', with its creaking floors and dark corners, sets the mood for a great scary story. It becomes almost like a character itself, adding to the overall sense of dread.
A great short scary story often has an unexpected twist. For example, in 'The Lottery', the normal - seeming small - town lottery turns out to be a brutal sacrifice. It also needs a good build - up of tension. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's increasing paranoia builds the tension until it reaches a breaking point. And a sense of the unknown or the uncanny helps, like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the power of the paw is mysterious.
A great scary campfire story often has an element of the unknown. For example, a mysterious figure that no one can fully explain. It could be a shadowy man seen on a lonely road at night. This creates suspense and makes people wonder what it could be.
Good scary short stories also use the setting effectively. In 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs, the dark and stormy night, along with the isolated cottage, sets the mood. The cursed monkey's paw that can grant wishes, but with dire consequences, is a classic horror trope. The story plays on the characters' greed and the fear of the unknown, making it a great example of a scary short story.
For a spooky story for kids to be great, it should have an element of mystery. Kids love to wonder what will happen next. For example, if there's a strange noise in the story, they'll be eager to find out what's causing it.
Insane asylums are full of long, dark corridors and small, locked rooms. These create a sense of claustrophobia and the unknown. You never know what could be lurking around the corner or behind a closed door. Also, the idea of the insane people who were once there adds to the scariness. Maybe some of their madness still lingers in the air.
The unknown. When there are things that are not fully explained or shown, it scares people. For example, in a haunted house story, if you just hear strange noises but don't see the source clearly, it creates a sense of fear. You start imagining all sorts of terrifying things.
What makes a scary story truly scary is the element of the unknown. When there are things that are left to the imagination, it scares people more. For example, in a story where there's a strange noise in the attic but you don't know what's causing it. It could be anything, and that uncertainty is terrifying.
The appearance. A clown with a grotesque face paint, like smeared red lipstick and blackened eyes, can be really scary. Also, their costumes. If it's tattered and dirty, it gives an eerie vibe.
Well, a dog can be scary in a scary story for several reasons. One is if it has some kind of supernatural element attached to it. Maybe it's possessed by an evil spirit, like in some stories where the dog can talk in a menacing voice or has the ability to disappear and reappear suddenly. Another aspect is the setting. If the dog is in a spooky place like an old graveyard or a haunted house, it adds to the scariness. And its actions towards people, like stalking them in the dark or attacking without provocation, can be really terrifying.