Monday, September 19, 2011

Mystery Elements

Characters:
Suspects are characters who may have caused the problem the mystery is trying to solve.  Detectves or investigators try to solve the mystery.

Setting:
The location where the mystery takes place.

Plot:
The plot is the story of the mystery.  Usually there is:

  • A problem or puzzle to solve.
  • Something that is missing.
  • A secret.
  • An event that is not explained.
Most mystery plots use suspense.  This means that the reader does not know the solution while reading.

Clues:
Clues are hints that help the detectives and reader solve the mystery.  They can be things people say or do or objects that are found.

Distractions:
Distractions are things that lead an investigator off the path, including clues that do not add up to a solution but make the search longer.

Structure: 
Structure refers to the way the story is set up.  Most mysteries have a structure like this:
  1. Introduction: learn about the problem, meet characters.
  2. Body of story: someone is working to solve the mystery.
  3. Conclusion: mystery is solved.

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