2006-2007 Stepney Elementary Library Mystery Unit Outline

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Mysteries have different parts or characteristics:

1.     ·  A problem ( a mystery)

2.     ·  Something is missing, lost, or stolen

3.     ·  Somebody is missing, killed, or kidnapped

4.     ·  Strange things are happening for no apparent reason

A detective

1.     ·  Finds clues

2.     ·  Someone tries to solve the mystery

3.     ·  Could use disguises

4.     ·  Decides who the suspects are based on the evidence or clues

5.     ·  Questions the suspects

A villain

1.     ·  does the crime

2.     ·  accidentally leaves clues and evidence

3.     ·  tries to confuse the detective

Evidence for the solution or clues

1.     ·  fingerprints

2.     ·  weapons or other objects used in the crime

3.     ·  something forgotten by the villain

4.     ·  information you don't know

The detective puts the clues with suspects

Some information does NOT help solve the mystery

"Red herrings" move the detective away from the real solution

Suspects

1.     ·  Are the people who the detective thinks may have done the crime

2.     ·  All the suspects MAY have the motivation, but there is only one [possibly two] criminals

Motivation

1.     ·  why did the suspect do the crime?

2.     ·  why did the detective WANT to solve the crime?

3.     ·  a solution

How the detective solves the crime solves the crime

Last Updated: 2006 October 26