"Whistleblowers & Suspense" (Advance Creative Writing)

This advanced creative writing unit challenges students to explore the intersection of suspense fiction and whistleblowing—the ethically complex act of exposing wrongdoing at great personal risk. Drawing inspiration from real-world whistleblowers, historical milestones, and recommended suspense novels, students will collaboratively create a multi-chapter suspense novella centered on a whistleblower who discovers illegal or unethical activity within a powerful organization. The unit emphasizes ethical inquiry, character-driven suspense, research and authenticity, and the exploration of truth, justice, and consequence. Each student will write one chapter (2,000–5,000 words) as part of a cohesive class novel.

Materials & Resources:

• PPT: "(Suspense) Whistleblower.pptx"
• Handout 1: A History of Whistleblowing - Key Milestones
• Handout 2A: Recommended Suspense Novels with Whistleblower Plots
• Handout 2B: Recommended Thriller Novels with Whistleblower Plots
• Role Packets: Class Contracts, Editorial Feedback, Marketing Materials Guides, Role-Specific Addendum, Weekly Check-In Forms:
• Digital Forms:Google Docs, Canva, Trello/Asana, Miro/Jamboard