Elements of a Mystery Characters Suspects: character(s) who may have committed the crime or caused the problem Detectives: character(s) trying to solve the mystery Witnesses: character(s) who saw the crime being committed

Elements of a Mystery Setting: Where the mystery takes place Where the mystery takes place Can help create mood of the storyCan help create mood of the story

Elements of a Mystery Plot: The story of the mystery Usually, the story includes one of the following: a problem that needs to be solved a problem that needs to be solved an event that cannot be explained an event that cannot be explained a secret a secret a crime that has been committed a crime that has been committed something lost or missing something lost or missing

Elements of a Mystery Clues: hints that help the detective and the reader solve the mystery Clues can be objects that are found or things people say or do

Elements of a Mystery Red Herrings: distractions or false clues that lead a detective or reader off track or make it more difficult to solve the mystery

Elements of a Mystery Structure Body/Middle: detectives work to solve the mystery by gathering clues and interviewing suspects Conclusion/End: the mystery is solved Introduction/Beginning: meet the characters and learn about the problem

HW: Think of the mystery stories, movies, shows you’ve enjoyed. Write about why you enjoyed them –what made them a “good” mystery? Write your answer in your writer’s notebook