Year 6 - English
Exploring conventions of detective fiction
'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 identify character and plot conventions used in the genre of detective fiction.
Key Notes
- Different genres of writing make use of different plot and character conventions.
- In detective fiction, common character conventions include 'the brilliant detective' and 'the faithful sidekick'.
- In detective fiction, common plot conventions include 'the red herring' and 'the big reveal'.
- These conventions are not rules: authors constantly subvert and play with them to entertain the reader.
- In detective fiction, the reader is trying to solve the mystery too so the author plans the plot carefully.
Vocabulary To Learn
- genre: a literary style with particular characteristics
- conventions: features that tell us what genre we are reading
- character conventions: types of character that are commonly seen in a particular genre
- plot conventions: plot points or narrative features that are commonly seen in a particular genre
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may believe that conventions are 'rules' that writers must stick to.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Different genres of writing make use of different plot and character conventions. In detective fiction, common character conventions include 'the brilliant detective' and 'the faithful sidekick'.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'genre'
a literary style with particular characteristics.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may believe that conventions are 'rules' that writers must stick to. Correction: Draw attention to how, even in this story, some of the conventions are broken - this doesn't mean it's not detective fiction! You may ask pupils to think of their own examples of broken conventions.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Building knowledge of the historical context of 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Exploring a fictional mystery in the Victorian era 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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