Identifying features of a persuasive letter written to Sherlock Holmes | English

Starter quiz

Some things are made explicit by the author. Other things we must __________ from what is written.
- create
- infer ✓
- deduct
- embellish
What inferences can we make from the following description? 'Watson was astonished to see Holmes standing over his bed at 3 o'clock in the morning, holding a pile of case notes.'
- Holmes can sometimes be presumptuous. ✓
- Holmes is single-minded when he wants to solve a crime. ✓
- Holmes is always considerate towards others.
- Holmes cares a lot about Watson.
What character trait is shown in the following description? 'Holmes could instantly tell that the man was lying.'
- diffident
- presumptuous
- assertive
- shrewd ✓
What character trait is shown in the following description? 'I considered correcting him, but I decided not to.'
- diffident ✓
- presumptuous
- unflappable
- shrewd
Which word means 'calm under pressure'?
- presumptuous
- diffident
- unflappable ✓
- shrewd
Which description shows that Holmes is 'unflappable'?
- Holmes barely looked up as Watson came in.
- Holmes raised an eyebrow as the man raised his gun. ✓
- Holmes told the man, "Get out!"

Which of the following might make Sherlock Holmes want to take on a case?
- It is easy to solve.
- It is a complex puzzle. ✓
- The person is in desperate need of help. ✓
- The police can solve it themselves.
Put the features of a persuasive letter in the order they appear.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  salutation
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  introduction
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  paragraph 1
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  paragraph 2
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  conclusion
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  sign-off
Where in a persuasive letter would we most likely find the explanation of what needs investigating?
- introduction ✓
- paragraph 1
- paragraph 2
- conclusion
Which persuasive language feature has been used in the following sentence? 'Only you are capable of solving this mystery!'
- flattery ✓
- veiled threat
- presumption
- rhetorical question
Which persuasive language feature has been used in the following sentence? 'I look forward to hearing your solution in due course.'
- flattery
- veiled threat
- presumption ✓
- rhetorical question
Which of the following questions is a rhetorical question?
- Is it safe for me to take this job?
- Can I trust Mr Rucastle?
- Wouldn't it be thrilling to solve this puzzle? ✓

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We can imagine Sherlock Holmes receiving lots of letters from potential clients asking him to help.
We can imagine Holmes would only take on interesting cases, perhaps from people in desperate need.
A letter to Holmes would have been formal in tone, given his position in society.
A persuasive letter contains elements of both persuasion and explanation.
The explanation must be coherent and a range of persuasive devices can be used.

Pupils may confuse rhetorical questions and standard questions.

Most questions demand an answer; in a rhetorical question, the question itself contains the implied, expected answer.

Persuasive writing - writing where we are trying to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour
Explanation - the detailed steps that led to something happening
Persuasive techniques - language structures or devices used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour
Formal tone - the effect created by using serious, factual language