Well, in tvtrope ghost stories, the setting plays a big role in creating suspense. If it's an old, abandoned asylum or a cemetery at night, just the location itself gives off a spooky vibe. The characters' reactions also contribute. If they are constantly on edge, looking over their shoulders, it makes the viewers feel the same. And the use of music is crucial. A slow, creepy melody can heighten the sense of suspense. For example, as the ghost is about to appear, the music builds up, making the audience hold their breath in anticipation.
They create suspense by delaying the reveal of the ghost. Instead of showing the ghost right away, the story builds up the tension. For example, there might be strange happenings like objects moving on their own, and the characters are trying to figure out what's going on. This makes the reader or listener eager to know if it's a ghost and when it will finally appear.
The use of lighting also helps. Dark and shadowy scenes, with just a bit of light here and there, make the audience wonder what could be lurking in the darkness. For example, in many ghost movies, a single candle or flashlight in a big, dark place is a common trope.
They often use the unknown. For example, not clearly showing the ghost at first. Just giving hints like strange noises or cold spots. This makes the reader wonder what's really there.
Well, the conventions of a ghost story create suspense in multiple ways. The use of a haunted location, say an old asylum, immediately sets a tense mood. The characters' growing sense of dread as they experience strange phenomena, such as hearing whispers when no one is there, keeps the suspense building. Also, the mystery surrounding the ghost's identity and motives, like whether it's seeking revenge or just lost, adds an extra layer of suspense as the story unfolds.
Hitchcock was great at creating complex characters in his ghost stories. The psychological state of the characters added to the suspense. In 'Vertigo', the main character's mental instability and his obsession with a woman made the audience constantly on edge. He also used lighting to great effect. Dark shadows in 'Psycho' hid secrets and added to the overall feeling of unease.
Horror mysteries create suspense through their settings. For example, in a spooky old mansion like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the creaky floors and dark corridors immediately make you feel on edge. The unknown also plays a big part. When the characters don't know what's causing the strange noises or disappearances, it makes the readers or viewers wonder and be in suspense.
Horror thriller stories create suspense by playing with the reader's or viewer's expectations. In 'It', the shape - shifting nature of the monster means you never really know what form it will take next. This uncertainty is what creates suspense. Also, the pacing of the story is important. A slow build - up, like in 'The Birds', where at first it's just a few strange bird behaviors and then it escalates into a full - blown attack, keeps the audience in a state of anticipation. And the use of unreliable narrators, like in some horror thrillers, can also add to the mystery and suspense.
Time skip stories create suspense through the element of change. For instance, if a story is set in a small town and there's a time skip of several years, we don't know how the town has changed. Has it been hit by a disaster? Has it thrived? In addition, when it comes to characters' fates, if a character was in a race against time before the skip, after the skip we don't know if they won or lost. This uncertainty makes the story full of suspense.
Suspense in horror adventure stories is often created by setting. Take 'The Shining' for instance. The isolated hotel in the middle of the snow - covered mountains is a perfect backdrop for a sense of unease. The characters are cut off from the outside world, and as strange things start to happen, the reader is on edge. Also, the use of foreshadowing helps. In 'Dracula', the early mentions of the count's strange powers and the disappearances in the area foreshadow the horror to come.
Espionage stories often create suspense through secrecy. The main characters are usually involved in hidden operations, and the readers don't know all the details. For example, in 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold', the motives of the characters are not clear at first. This keeps the readers guessing.