Jane K. Marshall
This third and last section of the unit will focus on developing student imagination. I also wish to make one last attempt to insure that students pick up yet another detective novel on their own. It seems to me that a creative writing assignment will accomplish both goals.
It is not my intent to explain the process of mystery writing to my students. (I don’t think I could.) Rather, I will ask them to review what they have learned thus far about the detective novel and their particular hero, and encourage them to attempt a sequel of sorts of their own. Such an assignment will enable students to focus on the series hero once more and allow them the vicarious thrill of getting him into and out of a situation of their choice. Thus the detective will become more real. The student, one hopes, may finally be “hooked” into wanting more encounters with his character. The student, in addition, will be exposed to an experience of a creative nature.
This assignment should be viewed as fun by teacher and student alike; the attempt is more important than the final product. Initial planning and discussion by each class is most necessary prior to starting any creative work. Some students may wish to engage in a writing contest of sorts (the best, the funniest, the most outlandish, etc.). Others may enjoy the idea of a parody. Many students are art-oriented and will express an interest in representing their hero visually (cartoon/comic strip). Some may wish to present a skit which depicts their hero and his surroundings. The teacher, in his/her quest for the generation of interest and excitement, should encourage a wide range of activity.
Of course, students will need their feet on the ground, to some extent,in order to structure their work. Review questions should be discussed which will promote serious thinking with regard to setting, plot, and character.
The teacher will need to structure time so as to provide individual and/or group encouragement and advice.
Sample Review Questions
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1. What sort of setting fits your detective?
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2. What are his/her interests?
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3. Who are his/her friends?
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4. How does he/she usually become involved in cases?
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5. What talents does the detective have which enable him/her to solve cases?
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6. Does your detective exhibit idiosyncratic behavior? Explain.
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7. Does your author try to trick the reader? What sorts of ingenious clues does he/she make use of?
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8. Is there usually a lot of action in your author’s plots?
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9. How does the detective behave after the denouement? Is he/she changed?
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10. With what sort of situation/villain would you like to see your detective involved?
