Well, mystery is often a big one. In many school lore short stories, there are things like unexplained noises at night in the empty hallways. Then there's the theme of good luck or superstition. You might have stories about a certain statue or place in the school that brings good luck if you touch it or pass by it a certain way. And of course, there are friendship - related themes, like a group of students having an adventure together and their bond growing stronger through it, which often happens in the context of exploring school - related mysteries.
One common theme is mystery. For example, stories about hidden rooms or secret passages in the school. Another theme is the supernatural, like ghosts or magical elements. There are also themes related to school traditions and how they came to be.
A sense of destiny is also a common theme. Characters may feel that they are fated to be part of the coronation, either as the one being crowned or as someone who has a role to play in the event. This can lead to internal conflicts within the characters as they struggle with their own desires and what they believe is their pre - ordained path.
One common theme is the victim's isolation. Often, the bullied child is alone or seems different from others, like in the case where a student is bullied for being new or having a unique style. Another theme is the power dynamic. Bullies usually pick on those they perceive as weaker, either physically or socially.
Common themes include the awkwardness of young love. For instance, not knowing how to express feelings properly at first. Also, friendship turning into love is a big one. Two friends who have known each other for a while in school suddenly realize they have deeper feelings. And of course, there's the theme of growing together. As they go through different school years, they learn more about themselves and each other, which strengthens their love.
One common theme is the struggle between fitting in and being unique. Middle schoolers often want to belong to a certain group but also have their own individual interests. Stories might show a student who likes different music from the popular kids but eventually finds others who share his taste. Also, academic pressure is a theme. There could be a story about a student who is stressed about getting good grades but then learns to balance study and relaxation. And of course, first love or crushes are common in these stories too, like a boy having a secret crush on a girl in his class.
Appearance often plays a big part. In many short stories, students with physical features that are different from the norm, like being chubby or having a stutter, are targeted. Social status is another common theme. Those who seem 'nerdy' or different in terms of their interests, like the boy who reads books during breaks, are often bullied. And then there's the theme of power - the bullies try to assert their power over the weaker or more vulnerable students.
Friendship is a very common theme. Stories often revolve around the ups and downs of friendships in middle school, like making new friends or dealing with a friend who has changed. Another theme is self - discovery. Middle school students are starting to figure out who they are, so stories about finding one's identity, like a character realizing they love art more than they thought, are popular. School life itself is also a theme, such as dealing with strict teachers or difficult exams.
One common theme could be isolation. Many disturbing stories use isolation to heighten the sense of fear and unease, like a character being alone in a big, empty place. Another might be the loss of sanity, as it makes the reader wonder what they would do in such a situation.
One common theme is the unknown. Stories often play on our fear of what we can't understand or explain, like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the power of the paw is mysterious. Another theme is death. Many of these stories deal with sudden or unexpected death, as in 'The Lottery'. Also, madness is a theme, such as in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the narrator slowly loses her mind.
Well, mortality is a common theme. Many of these stories deal with death in one way or another. For instance, 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' has the main character facing death. Another common theme is the search for truth. In 'Young Goodman Brown', the protagonist is on a journey to discover the truth about his faith and the people around him. And there's also the theme of isolation, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman is isolated and it affects her mental state.
Haunted locations are very common. Like the old school building or an unused part of the campus such as an attic or basement. These places are often said to be haunted by former students or teachers who met with some misfortune there.