The Boat

• Look at the picture and imagine that you are a detective responsible for finding out what happened here. What do you know for certain? What questions do you have? Compare your questions to the ones below – did you think of any others? Did you miss anything?
• Who is the man? 
• Why was he in the boat? Where was he going? What was he doing? Why was he wearing a suit? Is this appropriate attire for rowing? When he got dressed that morning, did he know that he would be in a rowing boat later that day? 
• Was he alone? 
• Is there something in the water?
• What caused the boat to lift up out of the water and turn over? 
• What happened to the man after this? Was he able to give evidence after this event? 

• Try role-playing different interviews and conversations around this picture:
  • Two detectives trying to work out what has happened;
  • A detective and an eye-witness;
  • A detective and the man (if he is able to give evidence);
  • A detective and the owner of the boat rental shop;
  • Anyone else?
• When you have decided on what you think is the most probable explanation, write a detective’s report detailing your conclusions and the evidence.

• Fiction link: ‘Francis‘, by Dave Eggers. (Use the transcript if the film is judged to be unsuitable for your class).

Credit: Tim O’Brien
www.obrienillustration.com