What are the characteristics of funny and scary ghost stories?

One characteristic is the unexpected behavior of the ghost. For example, a ghost that scares people by appearing suddenly but then does something silly like tripping over its own spectral feet. This mix of the frightening sudden appearance and the comical action makes it a funny but scary story.

Not scary ghost stories usually have a positive or at least a non - threatening setting. For instance, if it's set in a beautiful old mansion with a ghost that loves the place and just wants to share it with the new inhabitants. The atmosphere is not dark and gloomy but rather has a bit of a whimsical touch. The ghosts in these stories don't have grotesque appearances but can be more like gentle apparitions. They might even communicate in a friendly way, like leaving little notes or making soft noises that are more endearing than frightening.

One scary and funny ghost story is about a ghost who haunts a theater. He's always making the lights flicker during performances, but instead of scaring people away, it makes the shows more exciting. The actors sometimes play along, pretending to be spooked, which amuses the audience.

They typically have a resolution that is more on the humorous side. So even if there are elements of fear throughout the story, by the end, it's something that makes you laugh. For instance, in a story about a witch, instead of her casting a horrible spell, she accidentally turns herself into a silly looking animal and has to ask the main character for help to change back. This makes the overall tone of the story more light - hearted in the end.

Well, one characteristic is the unexpectedness. For example, in a story, you might expect a real monster but then it turns out to be a small, harmless animal doing something silly. Another is the over - reaction of the characters. When they get scared over something that's not really that scary, like a shadow that looks like a demon but is actually just a tree branch, it's both stupid and funny.

One characteristic is that they are concise. Since they are short, they need to quickly grab your attention with the scary part. And then they immediately turn it around to be funny. They might use over - the - top or unexpected elements too. For example, a monster that is actually afraid of mice. This kind of unexpectedness is key in these stories.

The use of over - the - top elements also plays a role. Exaggerated features like a giant talking spider with a really high - pitched voice that tells silly riddles. The spider being huge is a bit scary, but the high - pitched voice and the silly riddles make it funny. These elements work together to make the story engaging and suitable for a bedtime read that has a bit of both thrills and laughs.

One characteristic is the element of surprise. In a scary - and - funny story, there's often an unexpected turn. For example, you might think a character is in real danger from a monster, but then it turns out to be a prank by their friends. Another is the use of over - the - top reactions. When characters are overly scared and then the situation is revealed to be harmless, their extreme reactions add to the humor.

Nature also plays a big role. German ghost stories might feature haunted forests, rivers, or mountains. The Lorelei on the Rhine is a good example. The natural setting adds to the mystery and scariness. The stories are also deeply rooted in German folklore and history, so they might carry cultural elements that are unique to Germany.

The settings in these stories are usually not too spooky. Maybe it's a bright, sunny place where the ghost appears, rather than a dark, dank dungeon. Also, the actions of the ghosts are more comical or gentle. Like a ghost that tries to dance but is a bit clumsy. It makes you laugh more than scream.