A rhetorical device is designed to have an impact on the reader, usually to evoke an emotion or to persuade.

If you are vigilant, you keep careful watch in case of danger or difficulty.

If you are credible, you are trusted or believed in.

Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles

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’

Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings

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

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

A device used to have an effect on the audience.

When two words near each other start with the same sound.

When three words or phrases are used consecutively. 

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Which sentence uses alliteration successfully?

"Winter is a cold, dark and anti-social time of year." Which rhetorical device is used here?

Which of the sentences below uses direct address?

What is the likely purpose of the following rhetorical device? "Do you want to prevent your grandchildren experiencing the beauty of the world?"

Starting with the first, put the sections of a newspaper article in chronological order.

A technique to help the writer meet their purpose. 

Which language device is often found in headlines?

Which language device is used in the headline: "Slippery Snake Escape!"

"A savage and brutal tiger attack left an innocent, well-loved zookeeper in the most desperate fight for her life." Which technique is used here?

Starter Quiz

Starting with the first, put the sections of a newspaper article in chronological order.