Year 6 - English
Exploring vocabulary for a setting description 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 explore vocabulary that relates to Victorian London and suggest ways of including it in setting descriptions.
Key Notes
- Writing is most successful when it is planned.
- Vocabulary can be planned to precisely match a setting.
- We can mention items from the appropriate time period in order to show the historical context of a setting.
- We can use fronted adverbials and preposition phrases to show where items are in a setting.
Vocabulary To Learn
- setting description: a detailed description of the location where a narrative is set
- historical context: the events, lifestyle and living conditions that existed at a particular time in history
- fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
- preposition phrase: a phrase composed of a preposition and a noun phrase that follows it
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may believe that all fronted adverbials of place are preposition phrases.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Writing is most successful when it is planned. Vocabulary can be planned to precisely match a setting.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'setting description'
a detailed description of the location where a narrative is set.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may believe that all fronted adverbials of place are preposition phrases. Correction: Some are ('In the distance,'), but others are not ('Everywhere,'). A preposition phrase contains a preposition followed by a noun phrase and preposition phrases can often be placed at the start of a sentence to make a fronted adverbial of place.
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 conventions of detective fiction 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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