How does the structure of horror story create fear?

The structure creates fear by starting with the normal. When readers see a normal situation turn bad, it makes them fear for their own normal lives. For example, if a story starts in a peaceful neighborhood and then murders start happening, it makes the reader think 'this could happen to me'. The build - up of suspense also plays a big role. The more the characters discover and the more questions are raised, the more the reader feels on edge.

By its appearance. The distorted face and strange makeup can be really scary.

Paranormal horror fiction creates fear through the unknown. For example, ghosts and spirits are often used. We don't really understand what they are or what they can do, so it scares us. Strange noises, apparitions, and things moving on their own all play on our fear of the unexplained.

An incubus creates fear in horror stories in several ways. Firstly, the idea of a malevolent being entering your most private and vulnerable state - sleep - is terrifying. It can also represent a threat to one's chastity or mental well - being. The unknown nature of what it might do while in this intimate encounter in the dream world adds to the fear. Moreover, the incubus is often part of a larger supernatural world in horror stories, and its presence might signal other, even greater threats lurking in the shadows.

Supernatural horror fiction creates fear in multiple ways. First, it plays on our primal fears. Things like death, the afterlife, and the existence of evil spirits are deeply ingrained in our psyche. By bringing these to the forefront in stories, it scares us. Second, it uses suspense. Writers build up tension, making us wonder what will happen next. For instance, in a story about a haunted house, we keep waiting for the next terrifying encounter. Third, the use of supernatural elements that violate the laws of nature, such as vampires that can't die or witches with powerful magic, makes us feel vulnerable and thus fearful.

The unknown entity doing the possessing is also a big factor. We don't know what it wants or how far it will go. For example, in 'The Exorcist', the demon's motives are unclear at first, and its power is terrifying. The grotesque changes in the possessed character's behavior, like unnatural contortions and speaking in strange voices, add to the horror. The idea that this could happen to anyone makes it even scarier.

A psychological horror novel creates fear mainly through messing with the reader's mind. It often uses elements like unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Shining', we're not always sure if what Jack is experiencing is real or just in his head. This makes the reader question what's true and what's not, which is scary. Another way is by playing on common fears such as the fear of the unknown. In 'Psycho', we don't really know what Norman Bates has done until later in the story, and that anticipation builds fear.

The story structure creates suspense by introducing elements of mystery or uncertainty early on. It keeps the reader guessing about what will happen next, and maybe builds up tension gradually through plot twists and cliffhangers.

The structure in a story plays a crucial role. It helps organize the plot, build tension, and guide the reader's emotional journey, thus creating meaning.