Mystery Elements

The location where the mystery takes place.

• clues

• distraction

• plot

• setting

The story of the mystery.

problem or puzzle to solve

Something that is missing

• A secret

• An event that is not explained

• plot

• characters

• structure

• suspense

Hints that help the detectives and reader solve the mystery.

They can be things people say or do or objects that are found.

• setting

• clues

• suspense

• characteristic

Suspects are characters who may have caused the problem the mystery is

trying to solve. Detectives or investigators try to solve the mystery.

• True

• False

a fictional story in which a character needs to figure out who committed a crime. The plot focuses on a crime, which is a puzzle or problem that needs to be solved. Authors of mysteries add clues to the story to help the reader solve the puzzle by the end of the book.

• red herring

• motive

• mystery

• alibi

reason for doing something, like committing a crime

• genre

• motive

• alibi

• red herring

misleading clues or tricks to keep readers in suspense. Mystery authors want the reader to try to predict, or guess, the final outcome. Authors usually don’t reveal the solution until the end of the book.

• red herring

• mystery

• genre

• alibi

misleading clues or tricks to keep readers in suspense. Mystery authors want the reader to try to predict, or guess, the final outcome. Authors usually don’t reveal the solution until the end of the book

• genre

• motive

• mystery

• alibi

type, group, or category of literature or music

• alibi

• motive

• genre

• clue

Did you meet the learning target today?

I can define and identify elements of the mystery genre.

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