User:Colton Pulliam/sandbox

My topic is on Urban Legends and some of the missing aspects of it on the wiki page.

Urban legend

Origin/Structure:

Many urban legends will often try to invoke a feeling of disgust in the reader which tends to make these stories more memorable and potent. Elements of shock value can be found in almost every form of urban legend and are partially what makes these tales so impactful.

Most urban legends will also include an element of something that is supernatural or paranormal. Many of the most well known tales will try to balance out the normal with the paranormal. Stories that stray too far into the paranormal aspect are usually not as regarded as ones that still attempt to keep some sort of basis in reality.

Documenting:

On the other hand, the internet has allowed much more urban legends to be shared and even created. The most notable example of urban legends that are made on the internet are known as Creepypastas. These are typically horror stories written by anonymous people on the internet. Although most of these stories are regarded as obviously false, some Creepypastas have gained a following of people that do believe in their existence. The most notable creepypasta that has done this is the infamous Slender Man.

Although the internet does help disprove many urban legends, it also the number one thing that is creating more and more of these tales in which many choose to believe in.

Examples:

Paranormal stories:

These urban legends involve some sort of creature or object that is paranormal. Most of these stories involve someone seeing or encountering something of a supernatural caliber. These most well known type of these stories are known as cryptid encounters. Cryptids are creatures that have no actual evidence in existing but have been claimed to be seen by a large number of people. The most notable cryptids include creatures such as Bigfoot or Mothman. Many cryptids are portrayed as very mysterious and most have supernatural powers. Many of these legends are simply regarded as tall tales but there are some people who do believe in these stories.

Marketing:

Some urban legends have occasionally been used comically in advertising. The most well known examples include the use of a Sasquatch in Jack Link commercials, known as "Messin with Sasquatch", and also the use of unicorns in Icebreakers ads. Another notable use of an urban legend/ cryptid is in hockey. As the New Jersey team is known as the New Jersey Devils, which is based off the popular cryptid, the Jersey Devil, which is a popular cryptid from the state.

* Note: I did not cite my sources here but rather in the actual page itself as it didnt seem to transfer over when I initally tried it

here is a link to the sources I used which you can also see in the actual article:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16SV5YrdazKOJcCzoWfDF71LTRFrRNdo-qSAKV4yRKG4/edit?usp=sharing