mystery genre - typepad · 2012-04-09 · mystery genre table of contents foreword kind of mystery...
TRANSCRIPT
Who is the main character in this story?
What is the character’s goal? What is he or she trying to accomplish?
What problems does the character face while trying to reach that goal?
What happened? How did the story end?
Someone
WantedButSo
How to Write a Summary
Requirements for the Detective Notebook
Handbook CoverInclude the following:1. First and last name2. Title of book3. Author of book4. Copyright date5. Illustrate or decorate cover using specific symbols from the mystery you read
ForewordYour foreword should show that you have a comprehensive understanding about the plot of the self-selected mystery you read. •The first paragraph summarizes the mystery without giving
away the solution.•In the second paragraph you will dedicate your detective
notebook to a particular person; explain why you have chosen that person
Mystery Genre
Table of Contents
Foreword
Kind of Mystery
Sleuth’s Character Traits
Crime Scene
“Wanted” Poster
Story Map
Persuasive Letter
Elements of a Mystery
Timeline
Letter to the Chief
Wanted Poster
Kind of MysteryWhat kind of mystery (hard-boiled, police procedural, locked room, puzzle, or cozy) is your sleuth trying to solve? How does your sleuth get involved?
Character Traits
Sleuth’s Character TraitsDescribe your sleuth’s character traits. How do your sleuth’s
character traits contribute to his/her strengths and weaknesses as a detective?
Crime Scene
Describe the crime scene. Action verbs, in the present
tense, drive this mode of writing in order to “show,” not
“tell.” Include sensory detail-- what does the sleuth taste,
smell, touch, see and hear? Do not use personal pronouns
in order to increase descriptive quality. Put the reader at
the scene of the crime by writing as if you are the
detective on-site surveying the scene. Please refer to
pages 44-46 and 288 in Reader’s Journey for assistance.
Create a poster that includes
the following:
• illustration of villain
•description of character traits
•description of physical
appearance
•strengths
•weaknesses
•What was the crime?
•Where was it committed?
•Where was the villain last
seen?
•Of what should the public be
aware?
Elements of a
Mystery
alibi clue crimeElements of a
Mysterydetective evidence plot
Elements of a
Mysteryred herring setting sleuth
Elements of a
Mystery
suspect victim witness
Letter to the Chief of PoliceWrite a letter to the local chief of police convincing him/her who should be arrested and why.
Elements of a MysteryUsing the elements of a mystery write “how-to” paragraph that
takes the reader step by step through the process by which the sleuth solved the mystery.
Timeline
Create a timeline that follows your sleuth through the
most exciting of his or her 18-24 hours on the case.
Use at least 10 events on your timeline.
Who is the dynamic character? How does this character change from the beginning of the story to the end?
Dynamic Character
Stor
y M
ap
Elements of a Mystery
Draw a story map including all of the elements stated below:
•Protagonist •Antagonist•Setting (time and place)•Conflict•Climax•Resolution•Plot (series of events: list 3
main events-beginning, middle, end)
Static CharacterIdentify 1 static character and explain how they do not change throughout the story.
List 3 specific clues the author
includes in the text. If the
author includes a “red herring”
or false clue, identify this in
your list.