Mystery Story Writing - teaching resource

Mystery Story Writing – Narrative Unit

This exciting and fully resourced unit guides pupils through the process of writing a gripping mystery story. Aimed at Years 5 and 7 (but also works with Year 7), the pack blends classic literature with creative writing tasks to help learners build narrative structure, suspense, and descriptive techniques.

The unit includes a 61-slide editable PowerPoint and 8 worksheets, along with planning guidance and assessment opportunities to support classroom delivery.

Highlights include:

• Sentence expansion with the “Tell me more” activity

• Exploring and analysing The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle

• Video-based discussion and author language analysis

• Identifying features of effective mystery writing

• Writing attention-grabbing openings and building suspense

• Class oral activities and drama-based language exploration

• Using imagery and sensory language to build mood

• Themed writing based on Ravenhearst Manor and The Mystery of the Flannan Isle Lighthouse

• Writing a news-style report to develop writing for different purposes

• Fun “Pick a Number” plenary to reinforce key learning

This cross-curricular unit blends literature, drama, and creative writing, making it ideal for upper KS2 or transition into KS3.

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