Personal Collection Detail View

This is a collection of various real-life situations, case studies, stories, and information that could inspire a story or an essay. If you are having trouble coming up with a plot or a topic for an essay, try looking at some of these resources for information and ideas.

Frontline: A Crime of Insanity

This source investigates the insanity plea in legal cases and looks at one historic case of a crime committed by a person who was considered mentally ill.

Torture and the Truth: Angélique and the Burning of Montreal

A real-life mystery! Watch the introduction and see if you feel like learning more.

The Lizzie Borden Murder Case Study

Ew. Wait, what did she supposedly do?? Wow. What do you think happened? Check out the primary resources collected by these historians that tell the story from different perspectives.

Aurore! The Mystery of the Martyred Child

Another Canadian mystery. This one is not for the faint of heart.

The Martha Ballard Case Study: A Midwife's Tale

More primary sources to investigate and create your own version of events in the case.