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Year 6

Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can write the first persuasive paragraph of a persuasive letter, giving reasons and evidence and using a range of persuasive techniques.

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Year 6

Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can write the first persuasive paragraph of a persuasive letter, giving reasons and evidence and using a range of persuasive techniques.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writing is most successful when it is planned.
  2. The paragraph should give a reason (followed by evidence to support that reason) why the recipient should help.
  3. We should include a range of persuasive techniques in the paragraph.
  4. Within the paragraph, ideas are connected using cohesive devices.
  5. A colon can be used after a main clause to introduce an explanation which is also a main clause.

Keywords

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

  • Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion

  • Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a complete sentence that can introduce an explanation

  • Reason - an explanation or justification

  • Evidence - information or facts to show something is true

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to use a colon to explain correctly.

Explain that there must be what could be a complete sentence on either side of the colon and the section after the colon must explain what comes before the colon.


To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Refer children to the Cohesive Devices Bank throughout the lesson for suggestions about how to connect ideas together. Ensure plenty of time for oral rehearsal before modelling the writing. A slide is left lined for you to complete shared writing with the class; refer to the video for ideas.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following features is not included in an introduction to a persuasive letter?
introductory sentence saying why you are writing
summary of what has happened
persuasive techniques
Correct answer: detailed reasons and evidence for why the reader should help
Q2.
What makes the following a good introductory sentence? 'I know you are a very busy and important man; however, I need your assistance with a very serious problem.'
Correct answer: It includes a semi-colon to improve text cohesion.
Correct answer: It includes a piece of flattery.
It includes a summary of the events that have occurred.
Correct answer: It says why you are writing.
Q3.
What is the purpose of using cohesive devices?
Correct answer: to improve the flow of the text
Correct answer: to show how ideas connect together
to separate ideas
Correct answer: to combine ideas into one sentence
Q4.
Which cohesive device is shown in the following sentence? 'Although there were no signs of injury on the body, large dog prints were found nearby.'
Correct answer: complex sentence
compound sentence
fronted adverbial
semi-colon
Q5.
Which cohesive devices are seen in the following sentence? 'The police have thoroughly investigated; despite this, they have not found anything.'
relative complex sentence
Correct answer: formal fronted adverbial
adverbial complex sentence
Correct answer: semi-colon
Q6.
Why is a veiled threat an effective persuasive technique?
It makes the reader feel valued and respected.
Correct answer: It makes the reader feel guilty for not helping.
It makes the reader feel scared of the writer.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following will we include in a persuasive paragraph of our letter to Sherlock Holmes?
Correct answer: a reason why we think Holmes should investigate
Correct answer: evidence to support the reason
a summary of what has happened
Correct answer: persuasive techniques
Q2.
Which of the following is not a persuasive technique?
presumption
flattery
Correct answer: reason
veiled threat
Q3.
Which sentences include a persuasive technique?
Many local people feel very unsafe.
Correct answer: If you refuse to help, they will continue to suffer.
Some people are threatening to leave the village.
Correct answer: Surely you must want to prevent this happening?
Q4.
After which word should the colon be placed in the following sentence? 'I urgently need your help the community is feeling very unsafe.'
need
your
Correct answer: help
community
Q5.
Which sentence has a colon for explanation in the correct position?
I am in danger if the Hound: is real it is said to kill members of my family.
I am in danger if the Hound is real it is said to kill: members of my family.
I am in danger if the Hound is real it is said: to kill members of my family.
Correct answer: I am in danger if the Hound is real: it is said to kill members of my family.
Q6.
Which persuasive technique is used in the following sentence? 'Without your help, I am concerned that the village itself will soon be deserted.'
Correct answer: veiled threat
flattery
presumption
rhetorical question

Additional material

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