Mystery Writing: Guided Writing Unit

Writing a mystery is so fun! This writing unit guides students through the process of writing a mystery by giving example slides for each mini-lesson and then a slide for students to try what was modeled. Kind of like an “I do” example and then a “You do” your turn. This unit is entirely in google slides. Make a master copy for yourself and share a copy or parts of a copy, with your students. On the “Your Turn” slides, students just need to add text in the text boxes that are already there. The text boxes are not visible just in case you want to print this resource. You can confer with your students by sharing it with one another to view, edit and comment. Students can confer with each other and engage in peer activities when they share their work with peers in just the same way.

More options: This resource can also be presented and done as whole group mini-lessons which you can find in the suggested teacher guide. You can also print this resource. There are slides that are good for in-person groups, handouts, and peer conferring activities.

What’s included:

•Teacher guide

•What is a Mystery?

•Elements of a Mystery

•Words to Know

•Choosing a Topic for a Mystery

•Mystery Writing Planner

•Coming up with Clues (in settings)

•Be a Detective (asking good questions)

•Be a Storyteller (dialogue)

•Dialogue Tags handout

•Leads (hooks)

•4 Ways to Build Tension (suspense)

•4 Ways to Create Excitement with Cliffhangers

•Create the Situation (Beginning details)

•Create the Climax (Middle details)

•Case Closed (Ending details)

•Mystery Draft slide

•Title Tips reference slide and checklist

•Title Time activity

•Take a Closer Look activity

•Mystery example

•Take a Closer Look activity slide

•Mystery Checklist

•Revising Checklist

•Peer Conferring Checklist

•Editing Checklist

•CHIMPS checklist

•Mystery Publishing slides

Mystery Writing Rubric (editable)

Have fun with it and enjoy from my classroom to yours!

This is a  digital download (PDF) with a link to the resource in Google Slides.

Purchasing this product grants permission for use by one teacher in his or her own classroom. If you intend to share with others, please purchase an additional license for the desired product.