Exploring conventions of detective fiction
I can identify character and plot conventions used in the genre of detective fiction.
Exploring conventions of detective fiction
I can identify character and plot conventions used in the genre of detective fiction.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different genres of writing make use of different plot and character conventions.
- In detective fiction, common character conventions include 'the brilliant detective' and 'the faithful sidekick'.
- In detective fiction, common plot conventions include 'the red herring' and 'the big reveal'.
- These conventions are not rules: authors constantly subvert and play with them to entertain the reader.
- In detective fiction, the reader is trying to solve the mystery too so the author plans the plot carefully.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that conventions are 'rules' that writers must stick to.
Draw attention to how, even in this story, some of the conventions are broken - this doesn't mean it's not detective fiction! You may ask pupils to think of their own examples of broken conventions.
Keywords
Genre - a literary style with particular characteristics
Conventions - features that tell us what genre we are reading
Character conventions - types of character that are commonly seen in a particular genre
Plot conventions - plot points or narrative features that are commonly seen in a particular genre
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
seller
unique
impossible to read
jewel
Exit quiz
6 Questions
technology; futuristic ideas; unreal settings
fear and suspense; isolation; darkness
a journey; a hero; action and threats
the person who investigates who committed a crime
the person who committed the crime
someone who may have committed the crime
someone who helped commit the crime
someone who saw the crime occur
has a unique mind and can see connections others miss
is loyal to the detective but more down-to-earth
is as intelligent and cunning as the detective
is supposed to solve the crime but doesn't
Peterson arrives with the jewel
Mr Baker is in possession of the goose that contains the gem
Holmes and Watson realise that the man at the market is Ryder
We learn the story of how Horner was arrested on Ryder's evidence