Year 6 - English
Identifying features of a persuasive letter written to 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 identify the structure and persuasive techniques in a letter written to Sherlock Holmes.
Key Notes
- We can imagine Sherlock Holmes receiving lots of letters from potential clients asking him to help.
- We can imagine Holmes would only take on interesting cases, perhaps from people in desperate need.
- A letter to Holmes would have been formal in tone, given his position in society.
- A persuasive letter contains elements of both persuasion and explanation.
- The explanation must be coherent and a range of persuasive devices can be used.
Vocabulary To Learn
- persuasive writing: writing where we are trying to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour
- explanation: the detailed steps that led to something happening
- persuasive techniques: language structures or devices used in writing to try to change someone's mind or behaviour
- formal tone: the effect created by using serious, factual language
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may confuse rhetorical questions and standard questions.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
We can imagine Sherlock Holmes receiving lots of letters from potential clients asking him to help. We can imagine Holmes would only take on interesting cases, perhaps from people in desperate need.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'persuasive writing'
writing where we are trying to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may confuse rhetorical questions and standard questions. Correction: Most questions demand an answer; in a rhetorical question, the question itself contains the implied, expected answer.
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
- Exploring vocabulary for a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Generating persuasive techniques for a letter 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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