Mystery Worksheets
Mystery is a genre of literature that opens with a puzzle or question and that the story arc focuses on providing answers to or solving. This genre often follows a formula that the audience, to some degree, expects. The reader is faced with something that is not explained which is often in form of a crime. An investigation then ensues, and several suspects will often float to surface. Most mysteries will then throw the reader for a loop by adding an element of commotion. This will often a great deal of suspense to the narrative. The purpose of a mystery is to entertain readers. These worksheets will help students explore this genre of literature and better understand the nature of it.
Mystery Worksheets To Print:
True or False - Answer a series of question about these types of stories.
The Genre - You will complete a series of sentences that speak to the nature of these types of narratives.
Features - Think of an mystery story that you have read or seen (in a movie or on TV). Describe how you know the story belongs to this genre.
Thrillers - Where is this crossover between these genres and where do they split off?
Sherlock Holmes - The stories by Sir Author Conan Doyle somewhat led the way for these types of stories.
The Clues - What is the puzzle, crime, or situation in the story that needs to be solved?
Analysis - Breakdown a text of your choice and ask yourself if there is an ethical dilemma that depends
upon the puzzle being solved?
Elements - We look at all the unique things that these types of stories bring up.
What Is It? - Students begin to understand that puzzles can have several layers associated with them.
Red Herrings - A red herring is something used to distract someone from something that is relevant or important. We have an entire topic devoted to this, if you want to know more.
The Protagonist - What is the protagonist's relationship to the crime, puzzle, or situation? Why are they responsible for solving it?
Checklist - Review a story and see if it checks all the boxes.
The History - Mysteries rose to popularity in the Victorian era. Early forms of these stories belonged to the gothic fiction genre, and their
audience was mainly women. Today, mysteries are widely read by all ages and genders.
False Clues - Authors often use these to add more suspense, when needed.
Why? - This is a nice writing worksheet to help students find their inner voice about this subject.
A Beginner's Guide to Writing Mystery Novels
Mysteries have interested humankind since the beginning of time. The suspense, fantasy, and thrill make these stories stimulating and engaging. The art of writing a mystery novel is as old as literature itself. It’s a genre that has been around since the first story was whispered in dark caves. These types of narratives are great for those who enjoy puzzles, suspense, and fantasy. We will explore and explain the basics of how to write for this genre. We will cover how they are structured, how to create suspense, and how to add fantasy to your story.
What is a Mystery Novel?
A mystery novel is a type of piece that usually includes a puzzle. It is often a detective novel, crime novel, or suspense novel. Such stories feature a protagonist who tries to solve a mystery. The protagonist usually has some skill or capability that the reader can use to solve the puzzle before the protagonist does. The protagonist may be an amateur detective, a police detective, a forensic scientist, a lawyer, or anything else. The protagonist is often aided by a secondary character who often assists the protagonist in solving the mystery.
How Are They Structured?
These types of writing pieces often require an unpredictable plot twist. The story is usually narrated by the protagonist, who is trying to solve a crime. The story is often set in a place that is unfamiliar to the reader, and the protagonist is investigating an unfamiliar event or mystery. The story is broken down into chapters that can be named after the days of the week to indicate the timeline.
How to Create Suspense
If you are looking to write in this manner, you need to create suspense. There are many ways to do this, but one of the easiest ways is to create mystery around your characters. The plot can come from the characters themselves or from the story. The more difficult the puzzle or crime that you create, the more suspense you will have. Another way to create tension is to make your reader question what will happen next. When writing a mystery, create grey characters who are neither good nor bad. If the reader isn’t able to decide who the good guy or bad guy is, they will try to read between the lines. It helps to keep readers guessing and incorporating plot twists that they didn’t see coming.
How to Add Fantasy to Your Story
In order to add fantasy to your story, you should use imagery. This can be done with the use of metaphors and similes. You should also make sure that you have a well-developed backstory that sets the scene for the novel. It is essential to have a good character arc. You can create a character arc by including a protagonist or antagonist and solid supporting characters. When you develop unconventional characters and implement themes that aren’t common, you build a fresh perspective. They often share similarities, and if your story is unique, your readers will enjoy it.