Focus on Genre
HERE’S A
PUZZLE TO SOLVE!
What kind of writing is full
of suspense, contains a
crime, a detective who’s
trying to figure it out, clues
to point the way, suspects
who might have done it….
and finally, the
SOLUTION?
If you said it’s a MYSTERY, you’re right!
The Case of the EARTHENWARE
PIG
Brown
Detective Agency
13 Rover Avenue
Leroy Brown
-presidentNO CASE TOO SMALL
$25 per day plus expenses
Author: Donald J. Sobol
Example of an Earthenware Pig
The Sticks of Truth
Retold
By George Shannon
The Sticks of Truth is
based on an Indian
folktale that uses
elements of a mystery.
Many folktales and
mysteries are similar;
action and sequence of
events are important, a
major problem is solved,
and each has lead
characters.
something that
helps solve a
mystery
clue
A fingerprint found
at the scene of a
crime is a clue
that often helps
detectives solve
cases.
Synonyms:
hint
sign
suspicion
trace
something that is
being
investigated
case
The police
studied the
case of the
missing jewels.
Synonyms:
lawsuit
legal action
a person who
has committed
a crime
criminal
The police officer
created a road
barrier to try and
catch the
criminal.
Synonyms:
convict
prisoner
crook
felon
a person who
tries to solve
a crime
detective
The detective
wanted to examine
the evidence that was
found at the scene of
the crime.
facts or signs that
show the truth or
that help someone
make a conclusion
evidence
Police usually
send the
evidence to a
forensics lab
for testing.
Synonyms:
proof
facts
support
the answer to
a mystery
solution
If we work hard,
we can find a
solution to this
problem.
Synonyms:
answer
result
a person
thought to be
guilty of a crime
suspect
The officers used
bloodhounds to
track the
suspect.
uncertainty
about what will
happen
suspense
The story was full
of suspense. Each
chapter was more
exciting than the
last.
Synonyms:
anticipation
expectation
a person who
sees or hears
something
witness
The jury
listened while
each witness
gave their
testimony.
Synonyms:
bystander
spectator
eyewitness
More Books by Donald J. Sobol
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!
evidence
witness
suspense
clue
detective
solution
criminal
case
suspect
Draw! Draw! Draw!
Free Association
Write as many words as you can think of that go with each
of the vocabulary words.
For example:
1. evidence
The word is school:
1. learning
2. Science
3. pencils
4. Reading
5. Math
6. teachers
7. P.E.
8. education
And on and on and on
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
witness
suspense
clue
detective
solution
criminal
case
suspect
Vocabulary Classifying
Place the following words in categories:
evidence
witness
suspense
clue
detective
solution
criminal
case
suspect
• Decide the names of the categories.
• Determine how many categories.
• Determine which words go in which categories.
• After classifying the words, write a paragraph
explaining each of the categories and why certain words
go in a particular category.
Synonym Search
Match the vocabulary words on the left to the correct
synonyms on the right. Some vocabulary words have more
than one synonym. Ready, set, go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
suspense
criminal
case
solution
evidence
clue
witness
a. babbling
e. legal
action
i. result
m. ranting
q. sign
u.
spectator
y. defense
b. answer
f. sly
j.
suspicion
n. prisoner
r. smooth
v.
explanation
z.
expectation
c.
bystander
g. convict
k.
eyewitness
o.
anticipation
s. trace
w. excuse
aa. felon
d. hint
h. proof
l. facts
p. lawsuit
t. crook
x. support
Can You Find the Context Clues?
1. The only _________ she left behind was a small strand of her hair.
2. He concealed the _____________ under his coat.
3. The _________ used his logical thinking skills to solve the mystery.
4. The judge imposed a life sentence on the _______________.
5. It took them hours to figure out the _____________ to the math problem.
6. The police decided to interrogate the ______________ right away.
7. I like this novel because of the way the author builds ___________ into the
plot’s rising action.
8. The _____________ tried to alter her original story, but the police officer didn't
believe her.
9. The jury will need to deliberate for hours before giving a verdict in the criminal
______________.
evidence; witness; suspense; clue; detective; solution; criminal;
case; suspect;
Word Association Challenge
1. Which word goes with an accident? Why?
2. Which word goes with a school lunch room? Why?
3. Which word goes with telling a story? Why?
4. Which word goes with judges, lawyers, and courthouses?
5. Which word goes with handwriting and voice recorders? Why?
6. Which word goes with a magnifying glass and a wig? Why?
7. Which word goes with acting? Why?
8. Which word goes with a winning play in football? Why?
9. Which word goes with someone hiding? Why?
10. Which word goes with writing a riddle? Why?
11. Which word goes with the night before Christmas?
Some words
12. Which word goes with listening to a story? Why?
can be used
more than once.
Can you figure
out which ones?
Word Bank
evidence
detective
suspect
witness
solution
suspense
criminal
clue
case
Tell Me What You Know
1. Why would someone need a detective?
2. Explain how you feel when reading a story that is full of suspense.
3. Witness, evidence, and case are connected
because__________________________________________.
4. What are the differences between evidence and clues?
5. What makes a detective suspect someone of breaking the law?