Lesson plan

Towards Zero

Towards Zero is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in June 1944 and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in July of the same year. The first US edition of the novel retailed at $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6). Lady Tressilian invites her former ward for his annual visit to Gull's Point. He insists on bringing both his former wife and his present wife, though Lady Tressilian finds this awkward. Her old friend Treves dies, then she is murdered as well; Superintendent Battle and his nephew are called in. The book is the last to feature Superintendent Battle.

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Article summary

Towards Zero is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in June 1944 and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in July of the same year. The first US edition of the novel retailed at $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6). Lady Tressilian invites her former ward for his annual visit to Gull's Point. He insists on bringing both his former wife and his present wife, though Lady Tressilian finds this awkward. Her old friend Treves dies, then she is murdered as well; Superintendent Battle and his nephew are called in. The book is the last to feature Superintendent Battle.

Key claims

  1. publication date: 1944 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  2. publication date: 1944 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  3. publication date: 1957 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the publication date is "1944". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. The record states that the publication date is "1944". What evidence would count against this claim?
  4. The record states that the publication date is "1957". What evidence would count against this claim?
  5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1359915719

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.