Mystery Essay

Your goal with this paper is to prove that a particular mystery novel is an effective mystery. To do this, you will need to choose 3 mystery traits contained in the novel of your choice. You will then demonstrate that each mystery trait is present in your novel. Thus you will prove that the novel is an effective mystery.

Your essay will have 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph will be the introduction. The middle 3 paragraphs will be body paragraphs. Each body paragraph will cover a single trait. The last paragraph will be the closing paragraph.

Do not use forms of the “I” pronoun in your essay. An essay is an example of formal writing.

Incorrect: “I think The Westing Game is an effective mystery.”
Correct: “The Westing Game is an effective mystery.”

Underline all book titles. Do not abbreviate book titles.

Your Mystery Essay needs a title. You may not title your Mystery Essay “Mystery Essay.” An acceptable title would be: “Mystery Traits in The Hound of the Baskervilles.”

Paragraph 1: Introduction

First introduce the book title and author. Explain that mystery books have certain traits unique to the genre. Name the 3 traits you have identified as being present in your book. Define each trait. Do not give specific examples of the traits in the introduction. Describe the traits generally. Finally, the last sentence of the paragraph should be your thesis statement. The thesis statement states simply what your essay is trying to prove. It should read something like this: “[Name of Book] is an effective mystery because it contains [trait #1], [trait #2], and [trait #3].”

Paragraphs 2-4: Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence. Explain which mystery trait is being covered in the topic sentence. Then describe the trait as it appears in the novel. Be specific in regards to names of people, places, and events. Assume your reader has not read the book. You need to describe the trait so that it is clear to the reader that the trait is present in the book.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

At the beginning of the conclusion, repeat the 3 traits found in your mystery novel. For the rest of the paragraph, comment upon whether your book was a typical or atypical mystery. A typical mystery would adhere to the mystery traits completely. An atypical mystery would include some mystery traits but not all of them. An atypical mystery would take a more unique form. Explain which traits are present if the book is a typical mystery. Explain which traits are lacking if it is an atypical mystery. Finally, comment upon whether being a typical or atypical novel helps the novel in terms of being an effective mystery.

Please use size 14 font and 1.5 line spacing.