Let’s Write a Mystery

What is a Mystery? A mystery is a secret, a riddle, or a puzzle. You have to find out the secret, and solve the riddle or puzzle to find the criminal and crack the case! A mystery is a secret, a riddle, or a puzzle. You have to find out the secret, and solve the riddle or puzzle to find the criminal and crack the case!

Webster’s Definition Mystery 1. One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding: an enigma. 1. One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding: an enigma. 2. A work of fiction, a drama, or a film dealing with a puzzling crime. 2. A work of fiction, a drama, or a film dealing with a puzzling crime.

Types of Mysteries

Cozy Mystery A cozy mystery is full of clues and plot, but it is not loaded with action. It is an intelligent mind game between the criminal and the detective. The setting is usually peaceful and lures the reader into a good mood. The mood is usually broken by the disturbance of the scene of the crime. A cozy mystery is full of clues and plot, but it is not loaded with action. It is an intelligent mind game between the criminal and the detective. The setting is usually peaceful and lures the reader into a good mood. The mood is usually broken by the disturbance of the scene of the crime.

Hardboiled Detective Mystery A hardboiled detective mystery has a lot of nonstop thrilling action. In a hardboiled detective mystery, the scene would take place in a setting where the victim would have to go alone. Sometimes a hardboiled detective mystery is scary to read. A hardboiled detective mystery has a lot of nonstop thrilling action. In a hardboiled detective mystery, the scene would take place in a setting where the victim would have to go alone. Sometimes a hardboiled detective mystery is scary to read.

Police Procedural Mystery This kind of mystery includes a lot of police department rules, like making sure the accused has been read his/her rights. In a police procedural mystery, the detective is a police officer. This kind of mystery includes a lot of police department rules, like making sure the accused has been read his/her rights. In a police procedural mystery, the detective is a police officer.

Amateur Detective Mystery In an amateur detective mystery, the detective is someone who becomes involved in the plot by accident. The detective in these types of mysteries doesn’t follow the same rules as the police. The detective in these mysteries usually has good common sense. In an amateur detective mystery, the detective is someone who becomes involved in the plot by accident. The detective in these types of mysteries doesn’t follow the same rules as the police. The detective in these mysteries usually has good common sense.

Use the language of the EXPERT! Alibi- an excuse of being elsewhere when the crime was committed Alibi- an excuse of being elsewhere when the crime was committed Breakthrough- a discovery that helps solve the crime Breakthrough- a discovery that helps solve the crime Clue-piece of evidence that helps solve the problem Clue-piece of evidence that helps solve the problem Crime- an action that breaks the law Crime- an action that breaks the law

Deduction- drawing a conclusion Deduction- drawing a conclusion Detective- An investigator looking for and gathering clues Detective- An investigator looking for and gathering clues Evidence- something that helps prove who committed a crime Evidence- something that helps prove who committed a crime Hunch- A guess or feeling not based on facts Hunch- A guess or feeling not based on facts

Infer- to draw a conclusion Infer- to draw a conclusion Interrogate-to question the suspect of the crime Interrogate-to question the suspect of the crime Investigate- to closely examine a problem and track down clues that lead to the solution Investigate- to closely examine a problem and track down clues that lead to the solution Motive- the reasoning behind a persons actions Motive- the reasoning behind a persons actions

Mystery- Something that is unknown Mystery- Something that is unknown Red Herring- a false clue that throws the investigator off track Red Herring- a false clue that throws the investigator off track Sleuth- an investigator Sleuth- an investigator Suspect- Person who has a motive to have committed a crime Suspect- Person who has a motive to have committed a crime Witness- Person who has knowledge about a crime Witness- Person who has knowledge about a crime

Elements of a Mystery

Element 1: Characters Suspects are characters who may have caused the problem the mystery is trying to solve. Detectives or investigators try to solve the mystery. Suspects are characters who may have caused the problem the mystery is trying to solve. Detectives or investigators try to solve the mystery.

Element 2: Setting The location where the mystery takes place. The location where the mystery takes place.

Element 3: Plot The plot is the story of the mystery. Usually there is: The plot is the story of the mystery. Usually there is: A problem or puzzle to solve A problem or puzzle to solve Something that is missing Something that is missing A secret A secret An event that is not explained An event that is not explained Most mystery plots use suspense. This means that the reader does not know the solution while reading the mystery. Most mystery plots use suspense. This means that the reader does not know the solution while reading the mystery.

Element 4: Clues Clues are hints that help the detectives and reader solve the mystery. They can be things people say or do, or objects that are found. Clues are hints that help the detectives and reader solve the mystery. They can be things people say or do, or objects that are found.

Element 5: Distractions Distractions are things that lead an investigator off the path, including clues that do not add up to a solution but make the search longer. Distractions are things that lead an investigator off the path, including clues that do not add up to a solution but make the search longer.

Element 6: Structure Structure refers to the way the story is set up. Most mysteries have a structure like this: Structure refers to the way the story is set up. Most mysteries have a structure like this: Introduction- learn about the problem and meet the characters Introduction- learn about the problem and meet the characters Body of story- someone is working to solve the mystery Body of story- someone is working to solve the mystery Conclusion- mystery is solved Conclusion- mystery is solved

So, do you have what it takes? Do YOU want to be a mystery author?

Reading a mystery is different from writing one. When you are writing a mystery, you have to work backwards. You must have characters and a plot in mind before you even start writing. When you are writing a mystery, you have to work backwards. You must have characters and a plot in mind before you even start writing.

Let’s get started writing! Mystery Graphic Organizer

Characters Set up the beginning of your mystery. Decide on a crime and who has done it. Who are the suspects (characters)? Try to keep the number of characters to a minimum; three or four. Who will work to solve it? What do the characters do? What are their motives? Who has an alibi? Who doesn’t? Set up the beginning of your mystery. Decide on a crime and who has done it. Who are the suspects (characters)? Try to keep the number of characters to a minimum; three or four. Who will work to solve it? What do the characters do? What are their motives? Who has an alibi? Who doesn’t?

Setting Where did the crime take place? Make it a place you know well such as school, home, etc. Where did the crime take place? Make it a place you know well such as school, home, etc.

Clues List the clues. Who reveals them? Who discovers them? For each event, is there a clue? Do the clues help the reader predict the solution? Don’t hide any clues from the reader…it’s not fair! List the clues. Who reveals them? Who discovers them? For each event, is there a clue? Do the clues help the reader predict the solution? Don’t hide any clues from the reader…it’s not fair!

Distractions What things will lead the investigator off the path? What things will lead the investigator off the path?

Plot List the order of the plot- when does each clue or distraction appear? List the order of the plot- when does each clue or distraction appear? What do we learn about the mystery in the introduction? What characters do we meet here? What do we learn about the mystery in the introduction? What characters do we meet here? What happens in the middle of the story? What clues are shared with the reader and the investigator? What happens in the middle of the story? What clues are shared with the reader and the investigator? Does the conclusion reveal the answer to the mystery? Does the conclusion reveal the answer to the mystery?

Conclusion What is the conclusion of the mystery? It helps the reader if you review the facts and clues that led up to this point.