Dang 3
Amy Dang
Mrs. Alber
Composition 102
20 March 2015
Outline: Very Descriptive Title
I. Introduction
a. Attention getter: “Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine” (Christie 22).
b. Background Information
· A thrilling murder mystery that involves ten stranger that have one thing in common: being sent to an island to pay for their past crimes.
· “Agatha Christie’s baffling and ingenious masterpiece, the world’s best-selling mystery” (Agatha Christie Limited).
c. Thesis Statement: And Then There Were None is a masterpiece that has a compelling plot, thorough development of all its characters, and a unique writing style that is easily understood. Because of these components, Christie’s And Then There Were None should be added to the Gilbert Public Schools’ approved high school reading list.
II. Criteria 1: compelling plot
a. Briefly describe what the criteria is: The progression of the story that captures the reader’s attention; an intricate story that focuses on all characters with twists and turns and unexpected complications.
· Briefly describe why the criteria is important: This criteria is important because it maintains the reader’s attention, making the reader to continue reading and wanting to solve for who the murderer is.
b. How/where/why the criteria is shown in the book
· The criteria is shown throughout the entire book; no part in the book will the reader find the story boring.
o According to Abubakar’s review from Good Reads, he believes that the book is “Engrossing, full of suspense and so unpredictable, that once you start, you have no other option but to finish” (Abubakar)
c. How the criteria contributes to the book’s outstanding literary quality
· Time Magazine tells the world “One of the most ingenious thrillers in many a day” (Agatha Christie Limited)
· New York Times says, “The whole thing is utterly impossible and utterly fascinating. It is the most baffling mystery Agatha Christie has ever written” (Agatha Christie Limited)
d. How this criteria would apply in the classroom/ why it would help the case for adding to the approved reading list: Most students do not like the books that are approved for the Gilbert Public Schools’ high school reading list because of the non-exciting plot; And Then There Were None always has the reader’s attention, which makes the students want to read/write more. Students can gather ideas from this book when they are required to write a mystery story/essay.
III. Criteria 2: thorough development of all characters
a. Briefly describe what the criteria is: A clear and full understanding of who each character is and why they are all significant.
· Briefly describe why the criteria is important: This criteria is important because it helps and supports the building of the story.
b. How/where/why the criteria is shown in the book
· The very beginning of the book introduces majority of the characters by explaining each characters’ reason of receiving a letter from the same person. As the story progresses, background/secrets of each character is revealed.
c. How the criteria contributes to the book’s outstanding literary quality
· Chapter 1 Part 1 “ In the corner of a first-class smoking carriage, Mr. Justice Wargrave, lately retired from the bench, puffed at a cigar and ran an interested eye through the political news in the Times” (Christie 1).
· Chapter 1 Part 2 “Vera Claythorne, in a third-class carriage with five other travellers in it, leaned her head back and shut her eyes” (Christie 2).
· “The characters are living and vibrant. They feel like unique individuals rather than cardboard cutouts” (Jason)
d. How this criteria would apply in the classroom/ why it would help the case for adding to the approved reading list: Students can enhance their writing skills on developing characters for their story by learning the techniques Christie used in developing the characters in And Then There Were None.
IV. Criteria 3: writing style that is easily understood
a. Briefly describe what the criteria is: A variety of techniques that get the reader hooked and keeps them engaged throughout the entire story.
· Briefly describe why the criteria is important: This criteria is important because the reader have an easy understanding of what is happening in the story; no part in the book is confusing because the writing style is simple and gets straight to the point.
b. How/where/why the criteria is shown in the book
· The vocabulary and writing style is at a high school reading level; the vocabulary in the book doesn’t require a dictionary, but the word choice of Christie fully explains what is happening in the story. The dialogue between characters is simple and easy to understand. The reader always has an understanding of who the narrator is/ who is talking/ who’s mind is being read.
c. How the criteria contributes to the book’s outstanding literary quality
· “I like how Agatha Christie doesn’t have to write a 500 page novel with a massive back story, her mysteries are very simply put together but always clever and hard to decipher” (May)
e. How this criteria would apply in the classroom/ why it would help the case for adding to the approved reading list: This book can improve a student’s writing skills by teaching a student how to write a mystery novel. If a student is having a difficult time writing a story/essay, they can read And Then There Were None to help them write because the writing style is not complex.
V. Conclusion
a. Tie back to thesis: And Then There Were None is an excellent novel that should be added to the Gilbert Public Schools’ approved high school reading list because of its literary qualities.
b. And Then There Were None provides students with ideas on how to enhance or build new writing skills to make a story more electrifying, develop characters that a reader can relate to, and simplify their writing so it is easily understood, but makes the reader wanting more.
Works Cited
Abubakar. "A Review of And Then There Were None." Goodreads. Goodreads Inc, 23 Dec. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Agatha Christie Limited. "And Then There Were None." And Then There Were None. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Christie, Agatha. And Then There Were None. New York: Berkley, 1991. Print.
Jason. "A Review of And Then There Were None." Goodreads. Goodreads Inc, 02 June 2008. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
May, Emily. "A Review of And Then There Were None." Goodreads. Goodreads Inc, 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.