The micro-elements of the horror genre

Sound
Non-diegetic sound assists the tension being created by creating atmoshperic sound that often leads to the climax or the thought of a climax. The heartbeat sound effect is often used in horror films to create suspense; it connects the audience with the film as their heart will more than likely be beating fast aswell as a result of fear. The heartbeat sound effect was used in the film The Shining which proved very effective to me as an audience member. Silence is a common feature of horror films as the audience can focus more on the camerawork and events taking place. Sound effects such as screams often follow silence which creates a jump-scare. 
Diegetic sound is also very important as the characters often hear strange noises that lead to the audience and also the characters suspecting that something bad is about to happen.

Editing styles

Fast paced editing creates a sense of unorganisation which makes the audience more flustered as they are unaware when something will scare them. The audience are more vulnerable as they are so focused on trying to catch up with the scene that they do not expect a horror moment when it occurs, making it scarier.
Match on action is often used when the character is walking in to a potential threat however the audience are often made aware of the threat before the charcter; creating tension as the audience are unable to communicate to the character what awaits them.

Mise-en-scene

Props and weapons are often used in horror films for example in Scream the victim was playing with her kitchen knifes foreboding that these would later be used as a weapon against her. The victim had blonde hair which stereotypically made her niave to the issues that made the audience so on edge. The idea of possession is popular within horror films and so it is common for props such as dolls or other chidlrens toys to be posessed for example in the film Annabelle. These tend to be everyday props that might result in the audience fearing various household items. Clowns used to symbolise the idea of childrens fun however horror films have abducted their innocence and created them into a more feared icon.
Victims are often in an isolated location whether it be in the woods (Cabin in the woods) or in a haunted house in the middle of nowhere (woman in black). This adds to the idea of vulnerabilty as the victims are unable to call anyone ot help, they must deal with the issue initially on their own.

Camerawork

CCTV, high-angle camera angles are often used to give the impression that someone is watching. The film Scream uses these types of camera angles from outside the house that the victim is in, giving the impression that they are watching however the character is unaware creating a sense of dramatic irony with the audience.
Establishing shots are also used in horror films to set the scene, it often ivolves communicating to the audience that the victims are isolated making them vulnerable.