'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on using persuasive devices in the Year 5 unit 'School uniform: persuasive letter writing'. Pupils continue to use flattery, questioning, presumption and veiled threat with increasing sophistication to persuade the recipient of the letter, this time working to include robust reasons and evidence to persuade a detective to take on a case. To persuade effectively, pupils build knowledge of the character of Sherlock Holmes ahead of letter writing. This unit prepares pupils for more character analysis in the Year 6 unit ''A Kind of Spark': narrative writing'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- A letter can be written or typed and sent to a recipient as a means of communication.
- A letter can be sent in an envelope via post.
- Persuasive techniques can be used in a letter to persuade the reader of the writer's position.
- Flattery, veiled threat and presumption are examples of persuasive techniques.
- Reasoning is used to strengthen the writer's position in a persuasive letter.
- Evidence or anecdotes may be used to justify points in a persuasive letter.
- Letters can be written to people known to us or not known to us.
- Letters can be formal in tone or colloquial in tone.
- The introduction and conclusion of a persuasive letter often mirror each other.
- Paragraphs of a persuasive letter are ordered coherently.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on using persuasive devices in the Year 5 unit 'School uniform: persuasive letter writing'. Pupils continue to use flattery, questioning, presumption and veiled threat with increasing sophistication to persuade the recipient of the letter, this time working to include robust reasons and evidence to persuade a detective to take on a case. To persuade effectively, pupils build knowledge of the character of Sherlock Holmes ahead of letter writing. This unit prepares pupils for more character analysis in the Year 6 unit ''A Kind of Spark': narrative writing'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- A letter can be written or typed and sent to a recipient as a means of communication.
- A letter can be sent in an envelope via post.
- Persuasive techniques can be used in a letter to persuade the reader of the writer's position.
- Flattery, veiled threat and presumption are examples of persuasive techniques.
- Reasoning is used to strengthen the writer's position in a persuasive letter.
- Evidence or anecdotes may be used to justify points in a persuasive letter.
- Letters can be written to people known to us or not known to us.
- Letters can be formal in tone or colloquial in tone.
- The introduction and conclusion of a persuasive letter often mirror each other.
- Paragraphs of a persuasive letter are ordered coherently.
Reading, writing & oracy
'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing
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.
16 lessons in unit
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