The layout of a text describes how features such as words, information and images, are arranged and presented.

A subheading is a phrase used to introduce some text.

A pun is a joke making use of the different possible meanings of words that sound alike.

Alliteration is a technique where two or more words close together start with the same sound.

Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings

English

Making predictions about Sherlock Holmes

Analysing Helen Stoner’s presentation in ‘The Speckled Band’

Making predictions about ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

Analysing atmosphere and character in ‘The Speckled Band’

Investigating Julia’s death in ‘The Speckled Band’

Analysing Dr. Roylott in ‘The Speckled Band’

Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from ‘The Speckled Band’

Writing the opening of an article on ‘The Speckled Band’ case

‘The Speckled Band’ case: writing a newspaper article body

'The Speckled Band' case: concluding newspaper articles

Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles

Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’

Reading and summarising the conclusion of ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

Planning a newspaper article about the solved  case of ‘The Speckled Band’

Writing your own newspaper article about Sherlock Holmes

Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

Comparing the victims in ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

Comparing ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’: a written comparison

in 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils practise using analytical writing sentence structures, to formulate their arguments. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils develop these skills further, applying them to a range of pre- 20th Century texts. 

in 'When the Sky Falls' pupils read fiction texts for fluency and comprehension. In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories' pupils start to analyse the language choices of an author.

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.

Sherlock Holmes: short stories

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which is not a feature of a newspaper article?

What is the purpose of the headline in a newspaper article?

What does a subheading need to be when used in a newspaper article?

What device is usually not used in a headline?

Which headline below contains alliteration? 

In 'The Speckled Band', what is the name of the estate on which Julia Stoner died?

Who is the prime suspect for the death of Julia in 'The Speckled Band'?

Any technique the writer uses to create an effect.

To inform the public about a celebrity's life and background.

What is the purpose of a newspaper article?

What could a newspaper about the events of 'The Speckled Band' report on?

Starter Quiz