Mystery Writing UnitShort Stories

Unit Goals

Content Goals• We are using the writing process (pre-writing,

drafting, revising, and editing) to write our best compositions of the school year.

Language Goals• We will write our stories, read our own and

peers’ for content and editing, discuss our stories with peers, and present summaries of the final draft to the class.

Elaborate then Elaborate More• “Don’t say the old lady

screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” –Mark Twain

• Elaboration strategies: anecdotes, scenario, examples, definitions, descriptions, details, dialog, quotations, statistics, facts, reasons.

Ideas for Your Mystery• Mysteries are not necessarily murders. Other

mysteries include burglaries, hacking, forensics, identity theft, lies, and espionage.

• You may write a story using another author’s detective; this may help you with characterization

• You might also be inspired by a real accident, murder, or news item.

• Use the mystery book reports as recipes for your story if you have no ideas of your own.

• Mystery isn’t popular because of a preoccupation we have with murder. It’s a preoccupation with justice that makes people read it.

More ideas• Anagrams and other codes to decipher may add

difficult twists to the plot.• Plot twists and surprise endings might make your

story more interesting.• Do NOT use real-life people as characters- even

with permission. • Celebrities may be mentioned but not killed or

guilty of any crimes. • Consider school rules and grounds for discipline

or psychological referrals when you write the content of your stories.

• ASK FOR HELP if you are struggling or need clarification

Tips for Scoring Maximum Points

• Let’s look at the rubric together.• Notice:

• Formatting• Time Management• Page Number checks• Presentation Points

• The LHS 6-Trait Writing Rubric is available at www.davisenglish10.pbwiki.com along with copies of the project’s rubric and assignment calendar.

Time Management Points

YesGoogle Documents or

email for first and last 5 minutes of class

Microsoft WordUSB storage drivesWork on the day’s

assignmentSave frequently

No InternetGamesHi-share messagesPrinting i-PodsFood or drinkChanging computer (lab)

settings

Main CharacterDetective/Problem Solver

• Appearance, Physical Description

• Actions, Activities

• Habits, Hobbies

• Likes, Dislikes, Quirks

• Write 20 facts about this character – reveal some through his/her dialog

Criminal Character

• Make the crime believable• What is the criminal’s motivation?• Write 20 facts about the criminal – hint at

them through clues and dialog• Appearance• Quirks• Bad Habits• Likes/Dislikes

Supporting Characters

• Friends of the main character

• Sidekick

• Suspicious characters– Enigmatic or peculiar

• Describe each character so s/he is more than just a name

Clues & Distractions

• Brainstorm what the clues will be:

• What will some red herrings be?

• What is a clue the audience could know before the main character does?

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Setting

• Where does the story start? Does that hook readers?

• Does the setting fit the story’s mood?• Why is your setting the best for this story?• Describe the setting.

• Hint at the setting through descriptions instead of telling the date, location, and time of day.

Hook the readers!

• Write the first line of your story.

• How does it hook readers (or not). Fix it now if it doesn’t

• Add a surprise turn of events to keep readers interested during the story

Prewriting- Outline OptionsI. Exposition (page 1)II. Rising Action

I. R.A. (page 2)II. R.A. (page 3)III. R.A. (page 4)IV. R.A. (page 5)V. R.A. (page 6)VI. R.A. (page 7)VII. R.A. (page 8)

III. Climax (page 9)IV. Falling Action &

Resolution (page 10)

Add information from your brainstorm onto the outline. Make it thorough by including all your brainstorm information – 50 points.