Step 3: This time there would be no witnesses

Step 3: This time there would be no witnesses

 Reading and writing crime stories

1 ⁄ In my book

Bookwidget

Do the reading and listening quest based on the book you chose.

Go to Smartschool > Engels 4MWW-BW > Oefeningen > Unit 3 > Reading and listening quest

2 ⁄ Cooking up the perfect mystery story

Ex. 1

 Think of a good crime novel you have read or crime series/film you have watched.

Discuss it with a partner.

a What made the story so good or memorable?

b Which scene(s) do you particularly remember? Why do you think that is?

good crime
novel/series/film

Ex. 2

Read the text on how to write crime fiction and answer the questions.

a Some words have been deleted. Complete the text, using the keywords below.

Note: use the same missing keyword per paragraph.

characters – conflict(s) – foreshadowing – limits and constraints – reader(s) – red herring(s) – stake(s) – urgency

Create suspense in crime via _________

Choose a timeframe that adds  _________

Explore other _________

Incorporate crime-complicating _________

Create atmosphere and mood with _________

Keep raising the _________

Honor the unwritten contract with your _________

Create stronger _________

characters

conflict

foreshadowing

limits and constraints

reader

red herrings

stakes

urgency

Ex. 2a

Create suspense in crime via conflict.

Choose a timeframe that adds urgency.

Explore other limits and constraints.

Incorporate crime-complicating red herrings.

Create atmosphere and mood with foreshadowing.

Keep raising the stakes.

Honor the unwritten contract with your reader.

Create stronger characters.

Ex. 2b

Are the following statements true or false? Correct if false.

1. When you add the element of urgency to your novel, be sure to add some scenes where tension is reduced and your reader can relax.

1. true
2. false

2. Trapping your protagonist on an island, for example, also adds suspense and tension to your novel.

1. true
2. false

3. Weather descriptions are a popular way of adding the element of urgency.

1. true
2. false

Ex. 2b

3 Weather descriptions are a popular way of adding the element of

urgency.

FALSE

They are a way of adding the element of foreshadowing

(e.g. arriving at a house during a terrible storm).

4. It is better to use one good red herring in your novel than several.

1. true
2. false

Ex. 2b

4 It is better to use one good red herring in your novel than several.

FALSE

If you just have one red herring, people might see it coming, but if you include multiple, you can keep readers guessing.

5. The stakes in a story can either go up or stay the same.

1. true
2. false

Ex. 2b

5 The stakes in a story can either go up or stay the same.

FALSE

Over the course of the novel, the stakes must go up rather than stay the same or decrease.

Ex. 3

Which element described in the text in exercise 2 do you recognize in the following pictures and excerpts?

1. red herring
2. foreshadowing
3. a timeframe that adds urgency
4. limits and constraints

1. red herring
2. foreshadowing
3. a timeframe that adds urgency
4. limits and constraints

1. red herring
2. foreshadowing
3. a timeframe that adds urgency
4. limits and constraints

1. red herring
2. foreshadowing
3. a timeframe that adds urgency
4. limits and constraints

1. red herring
2. foreshadowing
3. a timeframe that adds urgency
4. limits and constraints

Ex. 4

4 Describe tricks used in one of your favourite novels or TV series.

a Preparation: think back to the novel or TV series you had in mind in exercise 1.

Which ‘tricks of the trade’ you read about in the article in exercise 2 were used?

b Action: describe at least 3 ‘tricks’. Look up the information online if you don’t remember everything. Then discuss your findings with a partner/

3/ A good opener

Ex. 1

 Read the following opening paragraphs.

a Which of these would you say are ‘good’ opening lines? Which ones would you consider ‘bad’?

Give them a thumbs up or thumbs down! 

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

1. thumbs up! (strong opener)
2. thumbs down (bad opener)

Ex. 2

2 Read the following text about writing a good opening scene of a crime novel. Look back at the opening lines in exercise 1. Which ‘rule(s)’ from the Jacky Eubanks text below is/are broken?

Add the number(s) from the text to the table in exercise 1.