HISTORY’S MYSTERIES
YOUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A FILE ON A MYSTERY IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
1880-1945
YOUR DOSSIER MUST INCLUDE:
 THE CENTRAL PROBLEM
 A WORK OF ART
 A BIOGRAPHY
 HISTORICAL CONTEXT (10 TO 15 YEARS)
 SPECIFIC SETTING (PLACE AND TIME)
YOUR GOAL IS TO PRESENT THE DOSSIER TO THE CLASS AND LET THEM SOLVE
THE MYSTERY.
Grading Rubric – ALL TURNED IN TO SERVER IN ELECTRONIC FORM
Central Problem – Ask this in the form of an essay prompt.
/25
Hook the reader.
Setting – Describe the setting (place and time) of the problem.
Address multiple perspectives here. 1/2 page, double-spaced.
/25
Historical Context – One page, single spaced list of relevant
connected info in the surrounding years
/25
Biography – A one- to two-page, double-spaced account of
someone involved in the controversy/mystery.
/25
Work of Art – Find a Photograph, painting, excerpt of a
fictional or narrative account, etc., depicting the event or
situation.
/25
Clues – three “artifacts” that give hints towards a possible
solution.
/15
Total
/120