What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Horror aims to evoke fear, dread, or disgust through threatening characters, settings, or events

Common conventions: isolated settings, a vulnerable protagonist, an unknown or unstoppable threat

Suspense is built through pacing, withheld information, and threatening atmosphere

Gothic horror uses dark, decaying settings, supernatural elements, and psychological torment

Psychological horror focuses on mental and emotional terror rather than physical threats

Key Vocabulary

Suspense

A feeling of anxious uncertainty about what will happen next; created through pacing and withheld information

Dread

A pervasive sense of fear or anxiety about something threatening or unknown

Gothic

A style of horror featuring dark settings (castles, graveyards), the supernatural, and psychological torment

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, often creating a sense of dread

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

Which setting would MOST effectively create horror atmosphere?

A sunny school playground at lunchtime A cosy family living room on Christmas morning A busy shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon An abandoned hospital at midnight during a storm

Question 2

What is the main purpose of foreshadowing in horror texts?

To create a sense of dread and anticipation about future events To provide factual background information To reveal the ending immediately so readers can relax To introduce the main character's personality

Question 3

Which technique creates the MOST psychological horror?

Describing a monster in full, graphic detail Making readers unsure whether the threat is real or in the character's mind Showing a character being chased in daylight Using bright, cheerful language

Horror Genre Conventions