What are some elements that make a true scary story so frightening?

The authenticity of the setting and the people involved. If it's a story about a haunted school, we can all picture our own schools. And if the people in the story are normal, everyday folks like students or teachers, it makes it more relatable. We can put ourselves in their shoes. So when strange things start to happen to them, like seeing a ghostly figure in the hallway or hearing unexplained noises in an empty classroom, it gives us chills because it could potentially happen to us.

The sense of isolation also plays a part. When people are alone, like the girl camping in the woods or the man on the lonely road, they feel more vulnerable. It's easier for fear to take over when there's no one around to help. Also, the unexpected. For example, the sudden appearance of the woman in white on the road or the growling outside the tent. It catches people off guard and amps up the fear.

The fact that they are true. When we hear a fictional horror story, we can sometimes distance ourselves by thinking it's just made up. But with true stories, it could have happened to anyone. It makes us realize that such terrifying things are part of the real world, and that makes it scarier.

The unknown factor is a big one. In true scary stories, like the real - life hauntings, we don't know exactly what is causing the strange events. Is it a ghost? A malevolent spirit? This uncertainty creates fear. For example, in the story of the Bell Witch, the family had no idea what was attacking them, which made it all the more terrifying.

The settings in the Alma story are often very spooky. Like old houses, abandoned buildings, or dark forests. These places already have an air of unease and danger, which adds to the scariness. Also, the things that happen to Alma, like seeing strange figures, being trapped, or getting lost, are common fears that people have. When we read about Alma experiencing these things, it makes us feel scared as if it could happen to us too. Another thing is the feeling of being watched that Alma often has, which gives a sense of paranoia that is very frightening.

The element of the unknown. In really scary true stories, often there are things that cannot be easily explained. For example, in a haunted house story, when objects move on their own or strange noises are heard, not knowing what is causing it creates fear. It could be a supernatural entity or some force we don't understand.

The historical context can be a frightening element. Lincoln's time was filled with great turmoil, like the Civil War. So a scary story might use the backdrop of war, death, and the uncertainty of the nation's future. For example, if it involves a soldier who had a premonition related to Lincoln and something terrifying ensued.

The unknown is a big factor. We don't know what ghosts are really like, so when we hear about encounters, it scares us. For example, in those stories where people see strange figures in the dark.

The connection to real places also adds to the scariness. When we can picture a specific location where something scary occurred, like the Bell Witch haunting a particular farmhouse in Tennessee, it becomes more vivid in our minds. It's not just some fictional haunted castle; it's a real - life place that could be just down the road from where we are, which makes it more menacing.

The unknown. In true ghost stories, we don't really know what the entity is. It could be a lost soul or something more malevolent. For example, in many stories, people see just a shape or a figure in the dark, and not knowing what it is makes it scarier.