Mystery Story Assignment for Move Over Sherlock
Dr. Gingrich
For this assignment you are to write an original work of mysteryor suspense. Below are the different genres of mystery. You should
write within one of these genres. Stories should be a minimum of 2 pages in length.
write within one of these genres. Stories should be a minimum of 2 pages in length.
Elements
A sleuth/protagonist
could be a detective or a secret agent/could be someone who is not specifically in law enforcement who solves a crime/could be someone who is just thrown into a mysterious circumstance
Mysterious or thrilling event
A circumstance that sets the action in place
A setting
For this genre of literature setting is critical. It takes the reader to an unusual place or it establishes a strong mood of mystery, suspense. The Kremlin, an abandoned mansion, a deserted hotel, an island
Main suspect/antagonist Creating a
memorable villain is very important to this genre of literature as well. What would Batman be without The Joker, Sherlock Holmes without Dr. Moriarity, James Bond without Goldfinger
Plot
The action and climax of the story are how you build tension throughout.
Clues/foreshadowing
Mysteries depend on getting the audience guessing as to what will happen next. Mysteries readers want to try to solve the puzzle and this is what helps them do this.
Red herrings
These are clues that can mislead the audience and throw them off the track. The keep the puzzle from being to easy to solve
Mood
How do you create a mood which is appropriate for your audience.
Solution
Tie things together in the end. Make your solution logical what that fits the pieces together based on the clues and foreshadowing which you have achieved earlier in the story.
A sleuth/protagonist
could be a detective or a secret agent/could be someone who is not specifically in law enforcement who solves a crime/could be someone who is just thrown into a mysterious circumstance
Mysterious or thrilling event
A circumstance that sets the action in place
A setting
For this genre of literature setting is critical. It takes the reader to an unusual place or it establishes a strong mood of mystery, suspense. The Kremlin, an abandoned mansion, a deserted hotel, an island
Main suspect/antagonist Creating a
memorable villain is very important to this genre of literature as well. What would Batman be without The Joker, Sherlock Holmes without Dr. Moriarity, James Bond without Goldfinger
Plot
The action and climax of the story are how you build tension throughout.
Clues/foreshadowing
Mysteries depend on getting the audience guessing as to what will happen next. Mysteries readers want to try to solve the puzzle and this is what helps them do this.
Red herrings
These are clues that can mislead the audience and throw them off the track. The keep the puzzle from being to easy to solve
Mood
How do you create a mood which is appropriate for your audience.
Solution
Tie things together in the end. Make your solution logical what that fits the pieces together based on the clues and foreshadowing which you have achieved earlier in the story.