Year 6 - English
Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes'
'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about conventions of detective fiction via one of the English canon's most famous series 'Sherlock Holmes'. They use knowledge of the central character to write a setting description and a persuasive letter from a member of the public in need of his services.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to orally present a paragraph about the main character of 'Sherlock Holmes'.
Key Notes
- A text gives us clues about a character's features and feelings.
- Some text clues about a character are explicit and some text clues about a character use subtext.
- We can infer a character's traits by examining their behaviour.
- Sherlock Holmes is a complex character.
- 'Shrewd', 'unflappable', 'presumptuous' and 'assertive' are words that can be used to describe Sherlock Holmes.
Vocabulary To Learn
- explicit: clear and exact
- subtext: a hidden or less obvious meaning
- character traits: the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
- inference: a conclusion drawn from information and evidence in a text
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle with some of the complex character trait vocabulary.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A text gives us clues about a character's features and feelings. Some text clues about a character are explicit and some text clues about a character use subtext.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'explicit'
clear and exact.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle with some of the complex character trait vocabulary. Correction: Use the vocabulary pictures to tell a very short story about how what the character is doing reflects the word - or choose your own images which do this in another way if you prefer.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Building knowledge of the historical context of 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Exploring a fictional mystery in the Victorian era Study Guide
- Exploring conventions of detective fiction Study Guide
- Exploring vocabulary for a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Generating persuasive techniques for a letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Identifying features of a persuasive letter written to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Planning a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Understanding 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' Study Guide
- Writing the conclusion of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the introduction to a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the second half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Writing the second paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
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