Mystery Elements

How should every mystery begin?

• With a narrator

• With a strong hook

• With a satisfying conclusion

• With a cat

Which of these settings would not be ideal for a mystery?

• An ominous old house

• Dark streets on a foggy night

• A sunny day at the beach

• A shadowy forest with a full moon

Answer explanation

Stories in this genre should create an ominous, uneasy mood through setting to support the anxiety of an unknown antagonist lurking in the shadows.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

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CCSS.RL.6.3

This event creates the central conflict...

• a red herring

• a villain

• a sleuth

• a crime

Answer explanation

A crime launches the investigation, sending the main character on their quest and sparking the narrative arc.

A ________ is at the heart of every mystery - they are determined to solve the crime!

• sleuth

• villain

• motive

• crime

The main character and the reader often find out the identity of the _________ as the story reaches its climax.

• sleuth

• villain

• protagonist

• motive

A mystery plot is in constant motion, this is called the...

• crime

• motive

• narrative momentum

• climax

Answer explanation

It's a game of cat-and-mouse as the pacing quickens as the story moves towards the climax.

This element helps to engage the reader in the story on a deeper level...

• the hook

• the villain

• the sleuth

• a trail of clues

Hints of what may happen in the future...

• foreshadowing

• hook

• trail of clues

• narrative momentum

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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CCSS.RL.9-10.5

These false clues bring tension to the story

• narrative momentum

• trail of clues

• red herring

• crime

This element ties up the loose ends...

• trail of clues

• satisfying conclusion

• sleuth

• strong hook