History Mystery

History Mystery

This project requires you to write a historical mystery that is a "Who done it?".

You are part of a team that has traveled back in time to research the past. Unfortunately, a member of your team has been charged with murder! You must prove his or her innocence by retelling what really happened!

^{All your facts and details must be accurate regarding
time and place to which you have traveled.
Carefully construct your plot and narrate your story from
start to finish.

Plant clues and slowly build up suspense as the "plot thickens".
Clues should point to several well-developed characters.
Only reveal the truth at the very end or, "moment of truth",
which ties all the loose-ends together.

As a group, begin by agreeing on the historical time period for the
setting. This must be sometime during the 20^th Century}

During the Production Stage, you need to select one of the following roles. There should be two of each so that you can help one another.

Historians: You responsibility is be to ensure the setting is historically accurate. There should be at least 10 clues to indicate time and place. Consider such things as accents, clothing, references to events beyond the actual story, visuals, etc.)

Playwrights: Your job is to select a title for the story and write the script. Each character can develop their own dialogue but you are responsible for the plot specifics. Remember, you need to ensure each character is a suspect. Give each some combination of means, motive and opportunity but only one of them all three of these. Plant clues throughout the skit and make sure your final scene ties together all the loose ends. Clues might be in the form of dialogue, action, narrator comments, props, etc. Usual motives include revenge, jealousy, lust, greed and fear

Character Writers: You should develop each character. The actors themselves may wish to enhance your ideas, but you are responsible for such details as name, gender, occupation, relationship to other characters and physical description (Tall? Fat? Scars? A Limp? Tattoos? …?)

During the performance, these roles need to be allocated:

Narrator: You move the story along as it changes settings ("Later that night…"), or as the need arises. You may choose to tell the story in either the first or third person.

Detective: You will investigate the murder and solve the crime.

Protagonist: You are the primary suspect in the case. You may or may not be guilty.

Antagonist: Your role is to try to convince the detective that the protagonist is the guilty party. Of course, you may actually be the murderer…

Additional Suspects (2): You may or may not be the guilty parties. You each have means, motive, and/or opportunity (perhaps you have all three…!)

Follow this Rubric:

	Beginning 10	Developing 15	Accomplished 20
Elements of Plot	Story is incomplete and/or lacks a coherent narrative.	Story has the necessary elements of plot.	Suspenseful, good conflict, clues, climax and a satisfying resolution
Motive	Hard to understand what motivates the characters and/or difficult to distinguish one from the other.	Stock characters but the criminal has a clear motive.	Good differentiation of characters and the criminal's motive is clear.
Setting	Historical period is established but not supported by facts, characters' motives or dialogue.	Enough historical detail to establish setting.	Good research to create a time period.
Process	Has missing pieces, lacks team work and directions are not followed. Reflects poor use of time.	Project is neat and complete.	Project reflects full team effort, careful attention to detail, completeness, creativity and good handling of materials.
Role Play	Disorganized, hastily prepared, leaves audience confused.	Full team participation, carefully prepared, smooth performance.	Full team participation, well rehearsed roles and carefully prepared presentation.

Bonus points will be awarded for costumes and props.