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Year 7

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

I can plan a convincing argument.

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Year 7

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

I can plan a convincing argument.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Some Victorian readers had prejudiced views about people who were from and spent time in British colonies
  2. Dr. Roylott is presented as an aggressive and brutal man
  3. Dr. Roylott has a strong motive for killing Julia Stoner: he would lose money if she survived and married
  4. Holmes believes Dr. Roylott is behind the murder
  5. You can construct a convincing argument using emotive language and range of rhetorical devices

Keywords

  • Primitive - Refers to the early stage of human development, not yet using reasoning but rather emotion to control behaviour.

  • Native - If you are a native to a country, you were born there.

  • Prejudiced - Prejudice is a preconceived opinion on someone or something not based on reason or experience.

  • Avarice - Avarice is an extreme want to keep money.

Common misconception

That a modern reader and Victorian reader perceive the text and characters in the same way.

Use Victorian context to explain the difference between our attitudes.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from ‘The Speckled Band’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students could analyse Dr. Roylott's presentation in this part of the text to add a richer understanding and bring context in.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need a copy of 'The Speckled Band' for this lesson.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

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.
In 'The Speckled Band', what does Julia hear when she dies?
The cheetah's hiss.
Correct answer: A low whistle.
Roylott's voice.
Q2.
In the stories of Sherlock Holmes, what does Holmes always use to solve his cases?
A magnifying glass.
A torch.
Correct answer: Concrete evidence.
Q3.
What is a motive?
The person accused of a crime.
The reward someone gets for solving a crime.
Correct answer: The reason someone commits a crime.
Q4.
What do Holmes and Watson agree on about the death of Julia in 'The Speckled Band'?
It was an accident.
She died of natural causes.
Correct answer: It is dark and sinister.
Q5.
What is a piece of evidence cited by Holmes in 'The Speckled Band'?
Julia's fiance came to visit her the night she died.
Helen and Julia had a fight a week before her death.
Correct answer: Julia said 'it was the band!' as she died.
Q6.
In 'The Speckled Band', why does Roylott have ‘interest in preventing in his stepdaughter’s marriage’?
Correct answer: He would lose out on money if she married.
He dislikes her fiance.
He would miss her if she left Stoke Moran.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What prejudiced views did some Victorian readers have?
No one should keep exotic pets.
Correct answer: People native to the British colonies were primitive.
No one should visit the British colonies.
Q2.
Think about 'The Speckled Band', which quote shows Roylott is presented as aggressive?
Correct answer: “See that you keep yourself out of my grip.”
''You are Holmes the busybody.''
''A large face seared with a thousand wrinkles.''
Q3.
What did Roylott do in the past that seems to affirm his violent nature in 'The Speckled Band'?
Kept exotic animals as pets.
Lost his family fortune.
Correct answer: Beat his butler to death.
Q4.
In 'The Speckled Band', which document did Holmes obtain during his investigation to help confirm Roylott’s motive?
Roylott's bank statement.
Correct answer: Roylott's late wife's will.
Roylott's late wife's diary.
Q5.
What is Roylott’s motive for the murder of Julia Stoner in 'The Speckled Band'?
Correct answer: If she married, he would lose out on a lot of money.
He hated her fiance.
She would take the Stoke Moran property.
Q6.
Which argument below contains the most emotive statement?
Roylott is an unkind man!
Correct answer: Julia Stoner was a nervous wreck when she died, she was in a pitable state!
Holmes you must help Helen solve the crime!