Year 7 - English
Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from 'The Speckled Band'
Sherlock Holmes: short stories
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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 read and explore two famous Sherlock Holmes stories. They start by reading and analysing 'The Speckled Band' before using it as inspiration to write a newspaper article. They then read and analyse 'The Boscombe Valley Murder' before writing a comparison of the two stories.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to plan a convincing argument.
Key Notes
- Some Victorian readers had prejudiced views about people who were from and spent time in British colonies
- Dr. Roylott is presented as an aggressive and brutal man
- Dr. Roylott has a strong motive for killing Julia Stoner: he would lose money if she survived and married
- Holmes believes Dr. Roylott is behind the murder
- You can construct a convincing argument using emotive language and range of rhetorical devices
Vocabulary To Learn
- Primitive: Refers to the early stage of human development, not yet using reasoning but rather emotion to control behaviour.
- Native: If you are a native to a country, you were born there.
- Prejudiced: Prejudice is a preconceived opinion on someone or something not based on reason or experience.
- Avarice: Avarice is an extreme want to keep money.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That a modern reader and Victorian reader perceive the text and characters in the same way.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Some Victorian readers had prejudiced views about people who were from and spent time in British colonies. Dr. Roylott is presented as an aggressive and brutal man.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Primitive'
Refers to the early stage of human development, not yet using reasoning but rather emotion to control behaviour.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: That a modern reader and Victorian reader perceive the text and characters in the same way. Correction: Use Victorian context to explain the difference between our attitudes.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery': a written comparison Study Guide
- 'The Speckled Band' case: concluding newspaper articles Study Guide
- 'The Speckled Band' case: writing a newspaper article body Study Guide
- Analysing atmosphere and character in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing Dr. Roylott in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing Helen Stoner's presentation in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing John Turner from 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Comparing 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Comparing the victims in 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings Study Guide
- Investigating Julia's death in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Making predictions about 'The Speckled Band' mystery Study Guide
- Making predictions about Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Planning a newspaper article about the solved case of 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Reading and summarising the conclusion of 'The Speckled Band' mystery Study Guide
- Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles Study Guide
- Writing the opening of an article on 'The Speckled Band' case Study Guide
- Writing your own newspaper article about Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
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