Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

Urban Legends

The story that the voice message refers to is an urban legend. Read the following infobox to learn more about this phenomenon.

Urban Legends: Slenderman

Urban Legends are modern myths that are often passed off as true and frequently involve supernatural events or eerie figures. They spread through word of mouth or the internet and change over time.

Example: The legend of Slenderman is particularly well-known on the internet, especially in forums and social media platforms. It originated in 2009 from a post on the Something Awful forum. The legend describes Slenderman as a tall, faceless figure wearing a black suit, who stalks and abducts children. He is often depicted as having tentacle-like appendages and is said to lurk in forests or abandoned places.

Characteristics of urban legends

Characteristics of Urban Legends

- Spread through word of mouth
- Often contain a moral lesson
- Include elements of horror or humor
- Usually presented as true stories
- Frequently involve common fears and anxieties
- Feature anonymous or unreliable sources
- Change and evolve over time

Q: Read the infobox, then take notes: which typical features of urban legends can you make out in the story from the beginning?
A: The story includes several typical features of urban legends: it involves a well-known figure (Slenderman), occurs in a familiar but eerie setting (an abandoned playground), and includes supernatural elements (unnaturally long arms, static noise). The narrator's emotional response also adds to the story's authenticity and believability, which are common in urban legends.