The Vidocq Society is a group of investigators who pour over cold cases and develop an opinion on what happened.
In your initial post, you are representing a local law enforcement agency that has presented a case to the Vidocq Society committee.
Research a cold case that the Vidocq Society has investigated and prepare to present it as your own.
Describe the details of the cold case.
Explain the basic functions performed by criminal investigators and the key aspects of the initial investigation relating to the cold case.
What is the main goal of the investigation?
Cite and reference the source. Provide the link to the case for your peers to read.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
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Understand the Prompt
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Identify the “savior” (other than the prince) in one of the traditional tales (Basile, Perrault, or Grimm).
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Identify one of the “captures” in Ferre’s adaptation.
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Explain how Ferre maintains elements from the original story.
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Review the Texts
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Traditional tales: note fairies, wise women, or other magical helpers.
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Ferre: note who plays the antagonist role or causes the conflict.
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Organize Your Response
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Paragraph 1: Traditional tale savior.
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Example: In Perrault’s The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, the good fairies who attend Talia’s christening.
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Explain their role: They balance the curse, provide gifts (beauty, talent, etc.), and mitigate evil.
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Paragraph 2: Ferre’s capture.
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Example: Identify the antagonist or circumstance that traps the character.
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Explain: How does Ferre’s story mirror the original fairy tale structure?
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Drafting Tips
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Use clear topic sentences: “In the traditional tale by [author], the savior… plays a critical role by…”
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Compare and contrast: Show how the narrative structure or character roles are similar or different in Ferre’s adaptation.
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Keep paragraphs concise (~150–200 words each).
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Support with Evidence
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Include direct references or paraphrases from the texts.
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Cite page numbers or publication years if applicable.
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Revise and Edit
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Ensure clarity, correct spelling of character names, and smooth transitions.
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Example Answer
Traditional Tale Savior:
In The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood by Charles Perrault, one critical savior is the group of good fairies who attend the princess’s christening. While the evil fairy curses Talia to prick her finger on a spindle, the good fairies try to counterbalance this. One fairy mitigates the severity of the curse by altering its terms, ensuring that Talia will not die but instead fall into a deep sleep. These fairies are essential because they provide protection, guidance, and hope in the narrative, allowing the story to progress toward a resolution rather than ending in tragedy.
Ferre’s Capture:
In Rosario Ferre’s Sleeping Beauty, the “capture” is represented through the societal and familial constraints that limit the protagonist’s autonomy. Ferre remains true to the original fairy tale by maintaining the sense of entrapment and tension: the central character still faces forces beyond her control that dictate her circumstances. The story reflects the classic motif of the princess being placed in a vulnerable position while still exploring modern themes, such as power dynamics and gender roles, illustrating how Ferre adapts the narrative while honoring its traditional structure.
Supports for At-Risk Learners (EL, 504, IEP)
For EL Learners:
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Provide a character map or diagram of traditional vs. modern adaptations.
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Offer sentence starters: “In [author]’s tale, the [character] helps the princess by …”
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Highlight key vocabulary: savior, capture, adaptation, antagonist, protagonist.
For Students with 504/IEP:
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Break the prompt into two separate tasks: first, traditional tale; second, Ferre’s adaptation.
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Allow visual aids or graphic organizers to compare roles of characters.
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Provide extra time for reading comprehension or note-taking.
Useful Resources
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Perrault, C. (1697). The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood. Project Gutenberg
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Basile, G. B. (1634). Sun, Moon & Talia. [Translation available online]
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Grimm, J., & Grimm, W. (1812). Briar Rose. Project Gutenberg
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Ferre, R. (1992). Sleeping Beauty. [Library or online database]
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Study guide on fairy tale adaptations: Fairy Tales and Adaptations