2. What Is a Genre of Literature?
A genre is a category or type of literature that is generally broken down into fiction and nonfiction subcategories.

3. Fiction Versus Nonfiction
Fictional stories are not real and involve characters and storylines that are created by the author.

4. What Is Mystery Fiction?
Mystery fiction usually refers to a type of story in which a detective, or other professional, solves a crime or puzzling event.

7. Characters
This type of story usually has a main character that is smart and capable and who tries to solve the mystery.
Often the main character is a detective or investigator.

8. Setting
The location where the mystery takes place.

9. Plot The plot is the story of the mystery. Usually there is:
A problem or puzzle to solve
Something that is missing
A secret
An event that is not explained

11. Clues
Clues are hints that help the detectives and reader solve the mystery.
Clues can be things that people say or do or objects that are found.

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

13. Story Structure
1. Introduction: learn about the problem, meet characters.
2. Body of story: someone is working
to solve the mystery.
3. Conclusion: mystery is solved.

14. Care to Read a Mystery?