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Year 6

Generating persuasive techniques for a letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can generate persuasive techniques to persuade Sherlock Holmes in a letter.

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New
New
Year 6

Generating persuasive techniques for a letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can generate persuasive techniques to persuade Sherlock Holmes in a letter.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writing is most successful when it is planned.
  2. We can plan to use a range of persuasive techniques in a persuasive letter.
  3. When we generate ideas for persuasive techniques, we are thinking about the effect they will have on the reader.
  4. We can use precise expanded noun phrases to describe the reader when creating flattery.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to adopt the formal tone required for this letter.

Ensure all pupils re-read Jean's letter in order to 'tune them in' to the formal tone. You may wish to generate more examples of similar letters for them to read.

Keywords

  • Persuasive technique - a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour

  • Flattery - a persuasive technique where the writer says positive things about the reader

  • Veiled threat - a persuasive technique where the writer suggests negative outcomes for the reader

  • Presumption - a persuasive technique where the writer acts as if the reader already agrees with them

  • Rhetorical question - a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer

This lesson is a key step towards beginning to write the letter in the next lesson. Ensure that when children write in future lessons, they have access to the bank of persuasive techniques they have generated here.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these events from the journalistic report about 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' in order.
1 - Sir Charles Baskerville dies with a terrified expression on his face.
2 - The prints of a huge dog are found around the body.
3 - Rumours spread that the Hound of the Baskervilles killed Sir Charles.
4 - Sir Henry Baskerville returns to Baskerville Hall to take charge.
Q2.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:heir,the person who inherits your money or title when you die

the person who inherits your money or title when you die

Correct Answer:superstition,a belief in something supernatural

a belief in something supernatural

Correct Answer:ancestors,the family who came before you

the family who came before you

Correct Answer:demonic,very evil or unpleasant

very evil or unpleasant

Q3.
Which statements about the story of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' are true?
Correct answer: Sir Henry Baskerville inherited Baskerville Hall.
Sir Charles' body was covered in injuries.
Sir Charles died with a smile on his face.
Correct answer: The events happen on Dartmoor in Devon.
Q4.
Which part of a persuasive letter is most likely to contain a summary of the events that have happened?
Correct answer: introduction
paragraph 1
paragraph 2
conclusion
Q5.
Why might Holmes want to investigate the death of Sir Charles Baskerville?
Correct answer: He may want to find out whether the Hound is real since the police have failed.
Correct answer: There is a risk of more attacks if the Hound is real.
He has a close relationship to Sir Henry Baskerville.
Correct answer: The local community is very upset by the events.
Q6.
What signs were there that Sir Charles' death might not be natural?
Correct answer: prints around the body
wounds on the body
Correct answer: the look on his face
Correct answer: a howl was heard

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:presumption,acting as if the reader already agrees

acting as if the reader already agrees

Correct Answer:rhetorical question,a question that does not expect an answer

a question that does not expect an answer

Correct Answer:flattery,saying positive things about the reader

saying positive things about the reader

Correct Answer:veiled threat,suggesting negative outcomes for the reader

suggesting negative outcomes for the reader

Q2.
Which noun could complete the following expanded noun phrase? 'I have always admired your ground-breaking __________.'
intelligence
mind
Correct answer: techniques
intellectual prowess
Q3.
Which of these are examples of flattery?
I am so glad that you are considering the matter.
Correct answer: Who else could possibly resolve this question?
Correct answer: I am sure your meticulous methods would succeed where the police have failed.
I am afraid that if you do not help the situation will deteriorate further.
Q4.
Which of the below is an example of presumption?
Correct answer: I am so glad that you are considering the matter.
Who else could possibly resolve this question?
I am afraid that if you do not help the situation will deteriorate further.
Your sparkling intelligence will be of great help in solving this puzzle.
Q5.
When we use a veiled threat, how are we aiming for the reader to feel?
excited
fearful
Correct answer: guilty
content
Q6.
Which of the following is not a rhetorical question?
Do you not agree that this matter requires an urgent solution?
Correct answer: Will you help me to solve this case?
Who else but you could possibly help me?
Surely you do not want to see anyone else suffer?

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