Well, often it's the unexpectedness. For example, in the story of the man faking his death and then dying because of an earthquake, no one would expect an earthquake to be the cause of his real death during a prank. Another element is the person's own folly. Like the pirate who thought he could jump blindfolded between masts. Their over - confidence or stupidity in a sense makes it strange. It's like they set themselves up for these comical but deadly situations.
Often, the irony in these stories makes them interesting. For example, the actor who died on stage while performing a death scene. He was supposed to be faking death but ended up really dying. This contrast between the pretense and the reality creates a sense of dark humor. Another aspect is the human folly involved. People doing silly things that lead to their demise, like the man trying to jump a tiny fence and failing miserably. It makes us reflect on how our own overconfidence or carelessness can have extreme consequences, all while having a bit of a laugh about it.
Well, one element is the violation of the normal. When things move on their own, like in the story of the family where toys moved without explanation. Another is the connection to the past. If there are old tales or a history of something bad that happened in the place where the strange event occurs. It makes the whole situation seem more haunted and spooky. For instance, in the cemetery story, the old tales added to the fear factor.
One element is when the pet has a very characteristic behavior right before death. For example, if a dog always steals socks and is found with a sock in its mouth when it passes away. It makes you remember the fun side of their antics. Another is when the death seems very peaceful and natural, like a pet just falling asleep and not waking up. It gives a sense of it being a gentle end.
The characters' reactions also add to the fun. When people overreact to what they think is a ghost, it can be hilarious. For instance, in a story, a man saw a 'ghostly face' in his window at night. He screamed and ran out of the house, only to find out later that it was his own reflection in a dirty window with a strange pattern that made it look spooky. His extreme reaction is what makes the story funny.
The unexpectedness. For example, when two people meet in the most unlikely situations like in a traffic jam or at a wrong party. It's not the typical way to start a relationship, and that's what makes it funny and special.
One element is the over - the - top actions of the characters. When people go to extreme lengths to do something and it backfires in a humorous way. For instance, if someone tries a really elaborate death - defying stunt just for a small gain and it all goes wrong. Also, the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. In a normal death scenario, we expect solemnity, but in a funny death story, it's the opposite. And the presence of animals or inanimate objects causing chaos can add to the humor, as seen with the dog in the magician's story.
One element is the unexpected. For example, in a story where a dog starts talking, it's completely unexpected and makes us laugh.
The mystery in strange scary stories is appealing. It makes people wonder what could be behind those strange events. For example, in a story about a haunted house, we don't really know what the ghosts are or what they want, and that keeps our interest.
The mystery in strange ghost stories is appealing. We don't know for sure if ghosts exist, so when we hear these stories, it makes our minds wander. For example, the idea of a ghostly figure appearing out of nowhere in an old, abandoned place.
The fact that they are true. Knowing that these events actually happened to real people makes them much more terrifying than fictional horror. It makes you wonder if the same could happen to you.