Lesson 12

[William Whiteford]

Assignment 12
William Whiteford – Give Great Clues!
In this assignment, I learned about the concept of a clue—an essential element in thrillers—its nature, types, functions, and how to create one effectively. A clue is anything that helps guide the audience toward solving a mystery, gradually revealing the truth. The writer’s job is to keep the audience engaged in piecing together these clues throughout the story.
It is important to distinguish between a clue and a revelation. A clue points toward future developments in the story, whereas a revelation is a dramatic moment when a truth is uncovered, which may lead to another clue or even solve a mystery. In other words, a revelation can be the factual solution to a mystery or a hint for understanding a past event.
Typically, clues are introduced when the hero (and the audience) is searching for answers. After presenting the mystery, the writer places either obvious or hidden clues that eventually lead to the final reveal. One key task for a writer is to create a trail of clues. To achieve this, we brainstorm possible clues that can lead from the end of the mystery to the final reveal. Then, we decide which clues are more effective: overt clues (obvious) or covert clues (hidden).
Overt clues include things like discussions about the mystery, confessions, evidence, accusations, and logical deductions. Covert clues are more subtle, like hints embedded in earlier events, actions implying something hidden, or details in the background that become significant later.
A good balance between these two types of clues is crucial for maintaining audience interest. The clues should neither confuse the audience nor make solving the mystery too easy.
Finally, ten clues from the film Chinatown were presented as examples.
Main Mysteries in My Story:
1. Who is behind the mysterious series of animal stranglings?
2. What is the true identity of the hero’s secretary?
3. Is the veteran, Jeff, a killer?
Misleading/genuine clues to Mystery A:
• A shot in the park.
• Jeff running through the park.
• The hero’s dispute with the neighbor, Sandra.
• The hero provoked Jeff.
• Jack reports to the police.
• A man, dressed similarly to the hero, is seen at the zoo.
• A TV psychologist blames the hero.
• The same cord was used in all cases.
• The cord was sold in three shops.
• CCTV footage shows the villain, Jack, buying the cord.
Clues to Mystery B:
• The hero’s wife sketches a portrait of Jack from memory.
• Jack attended a workshop.
• Glen never encountered Jack at the workshop.
• A famous writer never met Jack.
• Jack was a frequent visitor at Starbucks.
• An artificial beard was found in Jack’s hideout.
• The hero’s friend, John, saw Jack at a trendy restaurant.
Clues to Mystery C:
• Jeff escaped from a clinic.
• Jeff is armed and out of control.
• He attacked the hero.
• Even after his arrest, the stranglings continued.
Updated Thriller Map
Act 1 (A1):
• Inciting Incident: A mysterious veteran, described as “a man with a rifle,” shoots a bird in the park.
• Clue 1: The shot in the park; a man with a rifle running through the bushes.
• Villain’s Plan 1: The villain, Jack H., stages a series of animal killings to frame his boss, get him confined to a psychiatric clinic, and then escape abroad with Grace, the hero’s wife.
• Life-Threatening Situation 1: The hero is at risk of being shot during the park encounter.
o Mystery 1 (M1): Who is the shooter?
o Mystery 2 (M2): Is the shooter a fugitive from a local psychiatric clinic?
• Twist 1 (T1): The villain hacks the hero’s account and files.
• Turning Point 1: The hero’s wife’s cat is found dead.
o Mystery 3 (M3): Is the elusive veteran responsible, or is it the secretary?
o Life-Threatening Situation 2: Is this a warning to the hero and his family?
• The hero burns Jack’s manuscript. Jack assaults the hero and vanishes. Later, the hero discovers that Jack H. died three months ago.
• Twist 2 (T2): The villain forged his references and letter of recommendation.
• Twist 3 (T3): The villain’s real name is Roy J., not Jack H.
o Mystery 4 (M4): Who is using the identity of “Jack H.” and where is he now? How dangerous is he?
o Mystery 5 (M5): Will the hero be able to identify and capture the villain?
Act 2 (A2):
• Clue 2: The hero argues with his neighbor, Sandra.
• Clue 3: Jack reports to the police.
• Twist 4 (T4): New problems arise as the hero begins firearms training.
• Twist 5 (T5): The hero’s wife, Grace, conspires with the villain.
• Twist 6 (T6): Grace repeatedly betrays the hero.
• Twist 7 (T7): The hero’s brother, Dan, demands a building plot.
o Life-Threatening Situation 3: A masked man attacks the hero at night.
o Mystery 6 (M6): Is the attacker Dan, who recently had a property dispute with the hero?
o Clue 4: A man, dressed similarly to Glen, is spotted at the zoo.
• Twist 8 (T8): Dan may have attacked his brother at night.
• Clue 5: The same cord was used in all the strangling cases.
• Clue 6: The cord was sold in three shops.
• Twist 9 (T9): The hero’s friend, John, offers to help.
• Clue 7: John saw Jack in a restaurant.
• Twist 10 (T10): The hero’s trust in others backfires.
• Twist 11 (T11): The hero chases Jack with a gun but is trapped in an empty building.
• Midpoint: The hero pursues Jack again, but Jack escapes.
• Clue 8: CCTV footage shows someone who looks like Jack.
• Clue 9: A TV psychologist blames Glen for the killings.
o Life-Threatening Situation 4: A high-speed chase through the city, with both men armed and shooting at each other.
• Turning Point 2: The hero is confined to a psychiatric clinic.
• Twist 12 (T12): The hero faces a long-term sentence and the loss of his assets.
Act 3 (A3):
• Twist 13 (T13): In the clinic, the hero fears for his life and is attacked by a veteran.
o Life-Threatening Situation 5: The hero fears the possibility of electric shock treatment.
o Life-Threatening Situation 6: The veteran launches a violent attack on the hero.
o Life-Threatening Situation 7: The hero escapes the clinic, pursued by the police.
• Twist 14 (T14): At the airport, instead of meeting Grace, Jack encounters the fugitive hero.
Climax:
• The hero confronts the villain in a final showdown and triumphs.
o Life-Threatening Situation 8: The hero faces the armed villain alone in a dark, confined space.
Resolution:
• The hero’s wife, Grace, escapes abroad, while the hero hires a new secretary. Meanwhile, the villain begins writing his memoirs from prison. Will he succeed?
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