Serial PodcastEpisode 1

Memory Game

Instructions:

In this story, a high school boy named Adnan is accused of murder and is asked to provide a detailed account about one particular afternoon in his past. How difficult would this be for you? Give a detailed account of your second class of the day, three days ago. Who was missing? Who left the classroom? What were you wearing? Name as many particular details of that class as you can.

Do the same thing, but in regards to your lunch break, exactly two weeks ago.

Do the same thing, but in regards to the first two hours after school, exactly six weeks ago. If you can remember very much, explain why that day stood out for you.

Memory Game

Instructions:

Pair or group up with other students who have been at the same event as you in the past six months (birthday party, school event, etc.). Decide on the event, but don’t share any details. Then quietly, on your own, write down significant details, including what everyone was wearing, if/when anybody left the scene (and for how long), if/when you left the scene (and for how long), and any other details that you think your partner(s) will also write down.

When you’re all done, compare the details with your partner(s). If you each told the story to police in separate rooms, would the police be suspicious?

Lie Detector

Instructions:

With Jay’s story in mind, answer the following questions:

  1. Summarize, in your own words, at least one part of Jay’s story.
  1. Cite evidence or quotes that show explicit meaning of what he’s saying.
  1. Based on your answers above, what’s your conclusion?
  1. What is Jay not saying? What is he leaving uncertain?
  1. At what point do you think Jay is lying, or what parts do you predict he’ll change when he tells the story a second time? Why do you think this?

Instructions:

With Adnan’s story in mind, answer the following questions:

  1. Summarize, in your own words, at least one part of Adnan’s story.
  1. Cite evidence or quotes that show explicit meaning of what he’s saying.
  1. Based on your answers above, what’s your conclusion?
  1. What is Adnan not saying? What is he leaving uncertain?
  1. At what point do you think Adnan is lying, or what parts do you predict he’ll change when he tells the story a second time? Why do you think this?

Episode One General Notes

Provide a short description for each person (what involvement do they have in the case)

Adnan:

Jay:

Hae:

Asia:

In the space below, provide a timeline of events for the murder of Hae.