Writing a Detective Story
Detective stories focus on solving a crime by analyzing events and finding the person who has done it. It is important to describe the context, explain the contradiction, and arrive at a logical conclusion.
Writing Sample
Read the following passage and find out how the detective story is organized.
Statement of
Puzzle
Puzzle
Finding a
Contradiction
Contradiction
Conclusion
On an autumn day, a number of pets went missing at a park where
all the trees were turning brown. Detective Columbo rushed to the
park. He interviewed David, Tom, Laura, and Mary.
all the trees were turning brown. Detective Columbo rushed to the
park. He interviewed David, Tom, Laura, and Mary.
Detective Columbo noticed a contradiction in what Laura said.
Laura reported that she was taking pictures of the green surroundings.
However, it was impossible to take pictures of the green surroundings,
since it was an autumn day.
Laura reported that she was taking pictures of the green surroundings.
However, it was impossible to take pictures of the green surroundings,
since it was an autumn day.
Thus, Detective Columbo concluded that Laura was the most
suspicious one.
suspicious one.