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What elements should ghost stories, or paranormal accounts contain?

I find that when one person shares a good Ghost story, others are likely to also try their hands at a good story, and then get frustrated when the response from those present is not as enthusiastic as it was to the first person's.

What does, or does not do it for you, in ghost tales, or paranormal accounts?

Please note whether you are addressing Paranormal Accounts, or Ghost stories.

A good ghost story, or Para Normal account for me, contains a steady narrative. ParaNormal accounts (those shared as "real", should have the Who What Where When Why, and How Journalistic standard. The person should not be pressing the listener to be astonished just by the telling of the alleged experience.

A good ghost story needs to have a eerie relativness. One that leaves a person guessing..

A good ghost story should not leave the audience in skeptism from the start. with pointless euthism on trying to tell the tale, Should have a real bearing on the story as if they did go through it. Not a story with leaks or I forgot this.
The story needs to hold some truth on modern society or on the past not with something that has not been invented yet.(sci-fi). much like a book or movie the audience wants to be part of the surroundings and leave them wanting more........

Id like to lend a little to that criteria if I may.I know that I have been in some spooky places,and while known for mass death or tragedy,I dont really believe in "ghosts" per sey,but there can be a ghostly feel to a place.Be it from looks,known history or just plain creepy.In other words,to me a ghost story doesnt have to be told or depicted in the true ghosty tradition.Example this vid...

for me, a good ghost story has a bit of truth to it.

Yea when a person is told a ghost story with a verifiable historic event.. it is very noticable above "scratch pad stories".

scratch pad stories in my terms are much like B movies that have alien half scuba diver monsters, The thrill is on story with evedent based history , places, figures, what ever. not some story that every line seems to ripple with holes and the drama scence is never to climatic for you already know the answer.....

The ones that attempt to adapt to the pitch of the listeners, and seek to draw a sympathy type response are questionable, there is sometimes a call out for help in those stories though. The child/teen that says they had a ghost come into their room at night.. could well be seeking a way to say they are being molested. Then there are those that recruit others to bolster their tale, the one person who perhaps humored them once before (before they realized what they where setting themselves up for).

like a good joke a ghost story should contain both of the following: seemingly everyday happenings or parallel mixed with the absurd and shocking. bonus points for anecdotes.

they should have believable characters, and a hint of truth, and alot of mystery. dracula was a good example. some everyday people (of the period), and some great locals as well as that hint of truth.

I think a good ghost story must have some history behind it. The audience needs to know why the ghost is there and where they come from, but it doesn't have to be presented right away. For me, the past must involve tragedy. Mystery is also a very good element to have.

I have to care about the humans involved more than the ghosts, so some characterization - some of the everyday as someone mentioned above is important. After all, it's the human's goals and aspirations that are being interfered with, and it sets up the conflict, makes the ghost the antagonist.

For me I look or listen to the facts of the account, no matter if it is paranormal or ghost related. Sometimes you can just tell when someone is making things up just to sound important. But it is really hard to disclaim other peoples accounts because the only way to know for sure is to witness it yourself usually. When I read or listen to things that are about paranormal situations or ghost stories I always try to take it as face value. Sometimes however you can tell when things are just made up. As long as the retelling has great detail I will read or listen to it even if it ends up being nothing more than entertainment value.

LadyMajik

For me the story has to jump out at me. Other words get me wrapped up in the story line. I dont think it has to do with history or such. The story has to be able to draw me in. Doesnt have to be scary or be fiction or non-fiction.