Passage Summary: If you want to write a great mystery, figure out the ending first and then fill in the steps that get you there.

Conclusion: The most effective method for writing detective fiction is to start with the ending and work toward the beginning.

Reasoning: Starting with the resolution allows the author to logically construct the necessary clues and circumstances that lead up to it.

Analysis: The underlying principle here is reverse engineering—beginning with the end in mind to ensure the process leads to a specific goal. To find a parallel, we need a scenario where someone determines the final outcome first to dictate the preceding steps. Look for an example where the desired result defines the path taken, rather than the path naturally leading to a result. This is a classic strategy of working backward from a fixed destination to determine the necessary route.