Taking the Mystery Out of Writing a Mystery Steps to Writing a Mystery Story

Step One – Story Skeleton  Fill out the story skeleton sheet  Setting  Character List  Conflict  Rising Action  Climax  Resolution

 For each character, make a web or cluster. Develop your character’s personality and appearance. What is the motivation for how your characters act and talk? Step Two – Character Webs Name Hair, eyes, weight, general appearance Hobbies, collections Family Special talents Friends Favorite places

Step Three – Rough Draft  Write on every other line on one side of the paper. The extra space will be used for revising and editing later.  Be sure to include dialogue to help the story come to life.  Let your reader know early in the story what the setting is.  Use the skeleton and character webs to help you organize your thoughts.  Think of an attention grabbing title.

Step Four – Revising  Do you need to add information? Try adding in thoughshots and snapshots.  Do you need to subtract information?  Do you need to move sentences or paragraphs?  Did you include dialogue?  Are you happy with the beginning?  Have you used interesting vocabulary? (Avoid unnecessary repetition.) Do you need to replace any words?  Do you need to combine any short, choppy sentence?

Step Five – Editing Look for corrections to be made: spelling capitalization punctuation run-on sentences fragments verb usage pronoun usage Paragraph indenting

Step Six – Final Copy  Handwritten  Use black ink  Use looseleaf paper (no spiral)  Write on one side only  Use neat margins on both sides  Make corrections neatly  Typed  Use 12 point font  Double space  Use 1/2” tab to indent  Use 1” margins Be sure your name and period are in the upper right hand corner.