Year 7 - English
'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery': a written comparison
Sherlock Holmes: short stories
Study Hub
Study Guides
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 write a response comparing 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.
Key Notes
- You should begin an essay with an introduction that summarises your main ideas
- An introduction should include three sections that move from general ideas to more specific ones
- A comparative paragraph must include a topic sentence and comparative connectives
- Quotations should be selected and analysed from both texts to help create a balanced comparison
Vocabulary To Learn
- Archetypal: Something which is archetypal is very typical of a certain type of thing.
- Subvert: To subvert means to go against what is expected. A villain that subverts the archetype may be gentle.
- Adhere: To adhere means to stick to or follow what is expected.
- Simultaneously: If two things occur simultaneously, they occur at the same time.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- An introduction can be written without thoughtful planning
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
You should begin an essay with an introduction that summarises your main ideas. An introduction should include three sections that move from general ideas to more specific ones.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Archetypal'
Something which is archetypal is very typical of a certain type of thing.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: An introduction can be written without thoughtful planning. Correction: To make an introduction worthwhile, and for it to effectively introduce an essay, it requires thoughtful planning.
More Lessons In This Unit
- '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 an argument about Dr. Roylott from 'The Speckled Band' 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
Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.