What are the features of an urban legend?

What are the features of an urban legend?

1. Often heard from a second-hand source: ‘a friend of a friend’.

I heard this story from a friend of my Uncle’s...

One of the instructors told me this story...

My sister heard this story from he friend...

2. Characters are not usually developed, the story is too short.

2. The scene is set immediately in time and place.

1. Often heard from a second-hand source: ‘a friend of a friend’.

I heard this story from a friend of my Uncle’s...

One of the instructors told me this story...

My sister heard this story from he friend...

2. Characters are not usually developed, the story is too short.

2. The scene is set immediately in time and place.

2. Characters are not usually developed, the story is too short.

A man

A woman

A child

2. Characters are not usually developed, the story is too short.

A man

A woman

A child

3. The scene is set immediately in time and place.

Late at night...

During the day...

100 years ago...

Last summer...

3. The scene is set immediately in time and place.

Late at night...

During the day...

100 years ago...

Last summer...

4. Tension and suspense is built swiftly to convey danger, mystery or horror.

…in the middle of nowhere…

…getting closer and closer…

…all alone…

Suddenly

All of a sudden

At that moment

Just then

4. Tension and suspense is built swiftly to convey danger, mystery or horror.

…in the middle of nowhere…

…getting closer and closer…

…all alone…

Suddenly

All of a sudden

At that moment

Just then

5. There is sometimes a cliff-hanger ending which uses ellipsis.

5. There is sometimes a cliff-hanger ending which uses ellipsis.

6. It may be a cautionary tale – the story is often a warning to the reader.

6. It may be a cautionary tale – the story is often a warning to the reader.