A Puzzling Tale: A Sticky Situation

Learning intention

I am learning to justify my point of view so that I can map a mystery and explain an exposition.

Success criteria:

• I can map the mystery in the text
• I can Identify the clues and “red herring”
• I can identify the scoundrel and justify their reasoning behind this in a written exposition
• I can deliver an exposition and reasoning to a partner or the class

Essential Knowledge:

What is an exposition?

Explain to the students that an exposition is the important information behind a story.

Share with the students that a mystery genre involves an incident or crime that has been committed and a series of clues left for the reader and main character, to piece together to find the offender. Sometimes, the writer will put in a red herring, to throw the main characters attention from the real clues. Discuss why this is called a red herring.

Read the text with the class and then allow them time to identify the clues.

Once students have completed recording the clues and identified their scoundrel, ask them to write an exposition, explaining their theory and justifying their point of view.

To guide students, create a scaffold for an exposition on the board, that may include:

• An opening statement that gives your point of view on the mystery
• A body of argument , which will break down your analysis and facts for each of the characters. This may include the outline;
• Character 1, discuss their alibi and your reasoning why they could/could not have carried out the offence.
• Character 2, discuss their alibi and your reasoning why they could/could not have carried out the offence.
• Character 3, discuss their alibi and your reasoning why they could/could not have carried out the offence.
• Character 4, discuss their alibi and your reasoning why they could/could not have carried out the offence.
• A final summary of your point of view. Was there any “red herrings that put you off the clues?” A final reinforcement of your opening statement, your clear justifications, and the person you suspect was the sticky scoundrel.

The resource – Laptop wrap- writing an exposition can guide the students on writing an exposition.