Mystery and Suspense Writing Course Final! And You Have an A!

Complete this final exam to pass the Whodunnit U online course. Have fun with it. You already have an “A” in the course just for trying! And since Whodunnit University is a figment of my imagination this exam may be a figment of yours. Who knows?

Questions 1-3 are multiple choice…your choice.

1. What is the nature of the crime to be solved in your imagined story?

            a) robbery

            b) murder

            c) sabotage

            d) other ______________________

2. Where does your story take place?

            a) in an office

            b) at a museum

            c) on a farm

            d) other _______________________

3. When does your story take place?

            a) last century

            b) now/contemporary

            c) in the future

            d) other _______________________

Questions 4- 7 are fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions about your protagonist, the one who will solve this mystery.

4. What is the name of your protagonist? ____________________________________

5. List three positive characteristics about your protagonist.

           

____________________________     ___________________________   _______________________

6. Name one flaw/weakness for your protagonist.

_____________________________

7. Briefly describe your protagonist.

Questions 8 & 9 are fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions about your victim(s) of the crime.

8. What are the name(s) of your victim(s)?

9. What did your victim(s) have, know, say, or do to make him/her/them a target?

Questions 10 & 11 are about your suspects.

10.  Identify three suspects in the crime committed. Name them here.

_________________________   ________________________________   __________________________

11. For each of your suspects, answer the following questions:

           

            a. Give one good reason each person is a suspect.

Suspect 1:  ________________________________

Suspect 2: _________________________________

Suspect 3: __________________________________

            b. Name two traits that make each suspect unlikeable.

Suspect 1: ___________________________________   ___________________________________

Suspect 2: ___________________________________   ___________________________________

Suspect 3: ___________________________________  ____________________________________

            c. Name one characteristic for each suspect that makes him/her likeable or interesting.

Suspect 1: ________________________________________

Suspect 2: _________________________________________

Suspect 3: _________________________________________

Your final question is an essay question.

Draft your story. No points off for spelling or grammar until you are ready to publish. Merely use this time to get your ideas on paper.

Well, there you have it…a final exam to get you writing your first mystery or suspense story.  Leave your Course Evaluation comments below.

Instructor Note to Student DMWM:  You are exempt from the exam in honor of your birthday! Have a happy day!