Narrative writing lesson plans often fall flat because there’s no focus and nothing to model. That’s why writing a mystery makes an excellent writing lesson plan.
Narrative Writing Lesson Plans that Don’t Work
“OK, class,” I said, “it’s time to write a narrative .”
Crickets.
“Take out some paper and write a story. On your mark, get set, go.”
Crickets.
“Please take out some paper and write a story!”
More crickets. Crickets invaded my being, shot up my nose and caused temporary brain damage. I passed out. I awoke. Sherlock Holmes was at my desk. He puffed on a pipe. “Hey, old chap,” he said. “Your narrative writing lesson plans stink. Try writing a mystery.”
“That’s a good idea, Mr. Holmes. I think I’ll try new narrative writing lesson plans by instructing students to write a mystery.”
Read a Mystery
Writing a mystery or detective story requires the writer to include specific elements of the genre.
- It needs to be suspenseful .
- It should include a crime, a crime-solver, and several suspects.
- A good mystery includes key details–clues, alibis, character motivation.
Before asking students to write a mystery, it’s important to read examples of mysteries. Good mystery writers include Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, Agathie Christie, Tony Hillerman, Sue Grafton, Edgar Allan Poe , and Joyce Carol Oates. Most literature textbooks have at least one mystery.
As they read the mystery, instruct students to record important details. The details should include the following:
- A list of suspects
- Details about each suspect
- A list of clues
Writing a Mystery Procedures
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Read at least one mystery and complete a chart with character details and plot details.
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Discuss the elements of a mystery.
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Prewriting - Brainstorm possible crimes. Choose a crime to focus on.
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Prewriting - Make a chart.
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Draw a box in the middle of a slice of paper.
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Write the crime for your mystery in the middle box.
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Draw four more boxes surrounding the center box.
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Draw lines connecting the middle box to each surrounding box.
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Write the name of the detective in box #1 with his characteristics.
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Write the name of a suspect in boxes 2-4, with key details.
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Underneath the diagram, write two to three sentences setting up the situation.
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Drafting - Use the diagram as a guide. Provide readers with clues as you write. Make sure the conclusion is logical.
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Revising - Have someone else read your story and highlight clues.
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Revising - Add clues or change them if necessary.
This post is part of the series: Writing Lesson Plans
Teach writing with these writing lesson plans.
