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Reading Response: Why do we like to read scary stories?

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 19:39 Mrs. Hall
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As we have finished our first thematic literary unit, focusing on the genre of horror and mystery, consider the similar themes and literary elements that tie them all together. Horror writing has been a literary tradition for centuries, and inspite of unpleasent content and disturbing imagery, it has also remained one of the more popular genres of literature.  Write a 1 paragraph response to the question, WHY DO PEOPLE ENJOY READING HORROR STORIES?

HInt: Check out these websites to see how other people have answered this question.

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Comments  

 
# Scary story Response — Mike Currier 2010-09-30 10:07
So why do people read scary stories? Truthfully I don’t know why people read them, but I can give you the best reason I can. I believe the people that read horror stories and watch horror movies do it because they like the suspense. Also I believe that the people that read them have a boring life and need some form of excitement. Truthfully I don’t understand the point of reading horror.
 
 
# Horror Stories — Emily Gillette 2010-09-30 10:11
I think that people like to read horror stories because it gives them something to really think about. The horror could be real or fake and people wonder if it could really happen. I like reading them because I like to feel the sense of suspense and fear in my body. Feeling these feelings could scare people to much thought and possibly lead them to be insane. In horror movies you can create your own surroundings into a scary place where you are reading the book. If you read horror stories you might have trouble sleeping, but in the end it is worth reading it.
 
 
# THIS IS WHY — Lauren Smith 2010-09-30 10:15
In my opinion, I think that people like to read horror stories mainly because they can imagine alot of the stuff themselves. In a book, there is no movie to show you exactly what everything is like.
If youre reading a story, then you can imagine and visualize what you want. If there is any part that the the book didnt specify, you can just fill in the blanks in your head. But in a movie, you see everything that exactly happens, specifically, play by play. Movies tell you what to see and think about whats going on, but in stories, you can imagine. Plus, there is more suspense in stories. There is more creativity in books rather than movies, but thats just my opinion.
 
 
# the reason — Dalton Beatty 2010-09-30 10:16
So why do the people read scary stories? I believe that people read scary stories because of these reasons. First they may have a need for excitement. Second they may just need a need gore in their life. Also they might just need entertainment.
 
 
# Why do people enjot reading horror stories? -laurenmoyer — Lauren Moyer 2010-09-30 10:53
I think that people like to read scary stories because they can relate to the feelings of the characters. In some horror stories, like the ones written by Poe, for example, the feelings and reactions of the characters are similar to way real people feel. For example, most people in the world are usually scared everyday, whether it is from a practical joke or from a real life horror, such as a car accident. That’s why I think people enjoy reading horror stories. I also believe it is easier for people to understand the character’s feelings in a horror story more than in a romantic novel. I mean, how times have you been swept off your feet by Prince Charming?
 
 
# Why people like horror stories — Amber Litwiler 2010-10-03 09:27
People enjoy reading horror stories for a number of reasons. They like to read them because it always keeps them on their toes! Although, some horror stories are more "gory." rather than "frightful." I love to read and watch horror books and films. I think Poe was one of the people who all started the writing of the horror. Mainly, i think the biggest reason of why people like it though is because they never know whats coming next. It's all so suspenseful.
 
 
# Horror Stories — Chuck Robinson 2010-10-03 17:18
I think we like to read horror stories because it attempts to answer the questions of the unknown. The stories try to explain the elements of life that can't be seen. They attempt to determine whether ghosts or other forms of the afterlife are real or not. They also attempt to determine what happens if we happen to run into these forms of the afterlife. I think that every human has these questions and are constantly searching for the answer of their liking. That is why I think we read horror stories.
 
 
# Why do people enjoy reading horror stories? — Marissa Johnson 2010-10-03 20:59
I think people enjoy reading horror stories for the thrill. I know every time a horror story makes my jump or gasp, my heart races and it's a different feeling than anything else i have ever felt. It's a weird, but different feeling that honestly, you can't get enough of. It makes your heart race and feel as if it will pop out of your chest! You want to keep reading/watching, but at the same time, you want to stop and look away because you are scared. Horror stories give you a new way of looking at things, just like any other story, just with a thrilling and scary twist.
 
 
# One sentence story — Adrian Onderko 2010-10-06 10:14
I was walking down the alley way when a masked murder jumped out and…
 
 
# y ppl enjoy horror stories — Carly Bone 2010-10-11 10:04
I believe that people enjoy scary stories for a variety of reasons. People are intrigued by the stories because they don't really hear about things like that in everyday life. Also, they like the feeling that comes along with being scared. The "fight or flight" feelings come in to play. Your breathing gets faster, your hands tremble, and you get goose bumps. Lastly, I think they enjoy them because they can relate to the victims in the story. They can understand their fear, and may have experienced something like it before.