Year 6 - English
Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter 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 write the first persuasive paragraph of a persuasive letter, giving reasons and evidence and using a range of persuasive techniques.
Key Notes
- Writing is most successful when it is planned.
- The paragraph should give a reason (followed by evidence to support that reason) why the recipient should help.
- We should include a range of persuasive techniques in the paragraph.
- Within the paragraph, ideas are connected using cohesive devices.
- A colon can be used after a main clause to introduce an explanation which is also a main clause.
Vocabulary To Learn
- persuasive technique: a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone's mind or behaviour
- cohesive devices: language structures that develop text cohesion
- colon: a piece of punctuation placed after a complete sentence that can introduce an explanation
- reason: an explanation or justification
- evidence: information or facts to show something is true
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to use a colon to explain correctly.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Writing is most successful when it is planned. The paragraph should give a reason (followed by evidence to support that reason) why the recipient should help.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'persuasive technique'
a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone's mind or behaviour.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle to use a colon to explain correctly. Correction: Explain that there must be what could be a complete sentence on either side of the colon and the section after the colon must explain what comes before the colon.
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
- 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 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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