Mystery%20Writing%20Unit%20Short%20Stories

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Mystery Writing UnitShort Stories
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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.

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Elaborate then Elaborate More

• Dont 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.

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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 authors
  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 isnt popular because of a preoccupation
  we have with murder. Its a preoccupation with
  justice that makes people read it.

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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

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Tips for Scoring Maximum Points

• Lets 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 projects rubric and assignment calendar.

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Time Management Points

• Yes
• Google Documents or email for first and last 5
  minutes of class
• Microsoft Word
• USB storage drives
• Work on the days assignment
• Save frequently

• No
• Internet
• Games
• Hi-share messages
• Printing
• i-Pods
• Food or drink
• Changing computer (lab) settings

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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

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Criminal Character

• Make the crime believable
• What is the criminals motivation?
• Write 20 facts about the criminal hint at them
  through clues and dialog
• Appearance
• Quirks
• Bad Habits
• Likes/Dislikes

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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

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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 storys 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.

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Hook the readers!

• Write the first line of your story.
• How does it hook readers (or not). Fix it now if
  it doesnt
• Add a surprise turn of events to keep readers
  interested during the story

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Prewriting- Outline Options

1. Exposition (page 1)
2. Rising Action
3. R.A. (page 2)
4. R.A. (page 3)
5. R.A. (page 4)
6. R.A. (page 5)
7. R.A. (page 6)
8. R.A. (page 7)
9. R.A. (page 8)
10. Climax (page 9)
11. Falling Action Resolution (page 10)

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