Recognize Plot Elements in a Mystery

suspects

• characters who try to solve the mystery

• the reason a person does something

• characters who may have caused the problem

• the way the story is set up

sleuth

• the location where they mystery takes place

• characters who try to solve the mystery

• characters who may have caused the problem

• the stressed feeling a reader has while trying to solve the mystery

setting

• the story of the mystery

• things that lead an investigator off the path

• something that is unknown

• the location where they mystery takes place

Sally noticed her gold bracelet was missing after the party.

• This is an example of the plot: the story of the mystery; a problem, something is missing, a secret, and unexplained event

• This is an example of a clue: hints that help the detective solve the mystery

• This is evidence! Surely, someone can get arrested and convicted!

• This is a complete example of mystery genre structure! The way the story is set up (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)

suspense

• the location where the mystery takes place

• drawing a conclusion; coming up with an answer

• the stressed feeling a reader has while trying to solve the mystery

• characters who may have caused the problem

clues

• an excuse an accused person uses to show that he or she was not at the scene of the crime

• a thing of statement that helps prove he or she was not at the scene of the crime

• the location where the mystery takes place

• hints that help a detective solve the mystery

distractions/red herring

• the way the story is set up

• thing that lead an investigator off the path; clues that do not add up to a solution but make the search longer

• characters who try to solve the mystery

• a thing of statement that helps to prove who committed the crime

victim

• the person harmed, injured, killed

• the main character

• the person who committed the crime

• the story of them mystery; a problem, something is missing, a secret, or an unexplained event

I was with my husband at 8:00 and we were Facetiming my niece from California. This is an example of....

• evidence

• clues

• sleuth

• an alibi

evidence

• the reason a person does something

• something is unknown

• hints that MAY help the detectives and reader solve the mystery

• Factual; concrete- a thing or statement that helps to PROVE who committed the crime