Mystery Story

Hello students,

Today's lab session will be about writing mystery stories. Please read the following information before getting started.

The unknown plays an important role in every mystery story. Who did it? What was that strange noise in the night? Will the detective find the scoundrel? Who (or what) has been pursuing our hero so relentlessly—and why?

As you might guess, mystery writers know the answers to such questions before they begin writing. As they write, they drop clues to the reader.

An observant reader can sometimes figure out the mystery before finishing the story.

In fact, if the ending is a complete surprise, the writer has not done a good job! After finishing a mystery, the reader should be able to go back through the story and find clues that hinted at the solution.

Read the following beginning of a mystery story.

Now think about how you would solve the mystery. Remember to give the reader a few hints along the way, so the ending isn’t a complete surprise.

Answer these questions before you actually write the rest of the story.

1. Who is the old woman?

2. What does she tell Sylvia about the origins of the ring?

3. Is she telling the truth about the ring?

4. Will Sylvia give the ring to her? 

If so, what happens next? 

If not, what happens next?

5. Will Sylvia’s friend Marcy have anything to do with the rest of the story?

If not, why not?

If so, what will Marcy do?

LabWork

Work in small groups of 2-4 and now write the rest of the story.

When you are finished, make up a catchy title for your story.

Remember to share your work with your teacher. Please share it by the end of this class.

“That is a very unusual ring,” the woman went on. “Why, that ring came from…”

(Activities taken from Hutchinson, E. (2005). Narrative Writing. Saddleback Educational Publishing)