• The purpose of a horror story is to create terror!

• Often horror stories contain some kind of monster (such as vampires, werewolves, etc.) whose only purpose is to prey on the human characters.    

• The protagonist often is the one who rids the world of the threat of this monster, or becomes a victim trying.

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​Horror Stories

• Often an isolated or scary location 

• One where there is little chance of escape 

• Or a normal location which has become very menacing and threatening to the occupants 

​Setting

• The main character is often an innocent victim threatened by a more powerful force

   

• The adversary is often supernatural and evil 

• Protagonist often finds bravery and hidden strengths to defeat the villain

​Characters

Plot

• The victim struggles against incredible odds to free him/herself from an unpleasant fate 

• Sometimes this struggle is successful, sometimes not 

• There is a build up of tension

   

• There is a strong climax, and possibly a cliffhanger ending 

• Words are chosen to intensify fear and horror     

• Words are chosen to build up the suspense 

• Alliteration and onomatopoeia, as well as lots of imagery, build up the atmosphere  

​Word Choice