What does it take to create a suspenseful mystery story?

Review the qualities of a good mystery story and the writing tips suggested by real mystery authors. Read some of the sample mystery stories. Then using the spooky photos and story starters, work with a partner(s) to write and publish your own mystery story.

Whodunit?

Read the sample mystery stories to get some ideas and begin your brainstorming.

A Purr-fect Mystery (A Real Mystery Writer)

Mystery Net's Kids' Mysteries Contest Winners:

The Ghost Impersonator

The Haunted Middle School

Mansion Monsters

Get a Clue: Story Prompts

Use these story starters to jump start your mystery writing.

Library

Strange Day

Harp

Another Place

Successful Sleuths:

Follow the guidelines in this Rubric to organize your writing.

Mystery Writing

Suspicious Suspects:

Follow these writing suggestions to write your story.

Writing Tips

Elementary,My Dear Watson:

Revise your writing using these helpful hints. Write a final draft and design a cover that illustrates a scene from your original story.

Revision Strategies

Expect the Unexpected:

Try to get your story published in one of these student magazines.

Stone Soup

Kids on the Net

KidsOnline Magazine

Graphics from: Google.com, Teacherfiles.com, and Scholastic.com.