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Mystery Writing Unit Short Stories

Mystery Writing Unit Short 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

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Mystery Writing Unit Short Stories

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  1. Mystery Writing UnitShort Stories

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. Yes Google Documents or email for first and last 5 minutes of class Microsoft Word USB storage drives Work on the day’s assignment Save frequently No Internet Games Hi-share messages Printing i-Pods Food or drink Changing computer (lab) settings Time Management Points

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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? www.barryfalls.com/9.html

  12. 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.

  13. 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

  14. Prewriting- Outline Options • Exposition (page 1) • Rising Action • R.A. (page 2) • R.A. (page 3) • R.A. (page 4) • R.A. (page 5) • R.A. (page 6) • R.A. (page 7) • R.A. (page 8) • Climax (page 9) • Falling Action & Resolution (page 10) Add information from your brainstorm onto the outline. Make it thorough by including all your brainstorm information – 50 points.

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