Mystery Unit

Elements of a Mystery Story or NovelElements of a Mystery Story or Novel

CharactersCharacters

SuspectSuspect: character(s) who may have : character(s) who may have committed the crime or caused the problemcommitted the crime or caused the problem

DetectiveDetective: character(s) trying to solve the : character(s) trying to solve the mystery. mystery. SleuthSleuth is another word for is another word for detective.detective.

WitnessWitness: character(s) who saw the crime : character(s) who saw the crime being committedbeing committed

Elements of a MysteryElements of a Mystery

SettingSetting

•Where and when the Where and when the story takes placestory takes place

•Can help create mood of Can help create mood of the storythe story

Elements of a MysteryElements of a Mystery

PlotPlot

Usually, the story includes one of the following:Usually, the story includes one of the following:

• a problem that needs to be solveda problem that needs to be solved

• an event that cannot be explainedan event that cannot be explained

• a secreta secret

• a crime that has been committeda crime that has been committed

• something lost or missingsomething lost or missing

Elements of a MysteryElements of a Mystery

Clues: hints that help the detective and the reader Clues: hints that help the detective and the reader solve the mysterysolve the mystery

Red herrings: false or misleading clues that lead a Red herrings: false or misleading clues that lead a detective or reader off track or make it more difficult detective or reader off track or make it more difficult to solve the mysteryto solve the mystery

Additional Mystery Vocabulary to KnowAdditional Mystery Vocabulary to Know

•alibi – an excuse offered by a suspect stating he/she was elsewhere when a crime was committed

•crime – an act that is against the law

•evidence – something that might help prove a fact in a trial

•innocent – not guilty

•interrogate – to question formally

investigate – to observe or study by close examination and inquiry