1. Learning Objective ‘The Sign of Four’
Should: Continue to understand how to write about the techniques Conan Doyle uses.
Could: Begin to understand how to write for the examination
Might: Consolidate knowledge of examination writing and how to access the higher bands for analysis

2. Techniques authors use
Remember these? Test your neighbour on the definition and the effect of these techniques that writers use for effect in their work.
Technique
Definition
Effect – why writers use this technique
Groups of effective adjectives
Alliteration
Personification
Effective use of verbs
Simile
Emotive vocabulary
Listing
Repetition
Pathetic fallacy

3. What am I being assessed on?
Level AO
Level descriptors
Level 5
Thoughtful, developed consideration
21–25 marks
AO1
Thoughtful, developed response to task and whole text
Apt references integrated into interpretation(s)
AO2
Examination of writer’s methods with subject terminology used effectively to support consideration of methods
Examination of effects of writer’s methods on reader
AO3
Thoughtful consideration of ideas/perspectives/contextual factors shown by examination of detailed links between context/text/task
Level 4
Clear understanding
16–20 marks
Clear, explained response to task and whole text
Effective use of references to support explanation
Clear explanation of writer’s methods with appropriate use of relevant subject terminology
Understanding of effects of writer’s methods on reader
Clear understanding of ideas/perspectives/ contextual factors shown by specific links between context/text/task
Level 3
Explained, structured comments
11–15 marks
Some explained response to task and whole text
References used to support a range of relevant comments
Explained/relevant comments on writer’s methods with some relevant use of subject terminology
Identification of effects of writer’s methods on reader
Some understanding of implicit ideas/ perspectives/contextual factors shown by links between context/text/task
Level 2
Supported, relevant comments
6–10 marks
Supported response to task and text
Comments on references
Identification of writers’ methods
Some reference to subject terminology
Some awareness of implicit ideas/contextual factors

4. How can I write to achieve all this?
Firstly, choose quotes carefully. The explode those quotes. Say everything you can about that quote. We started this last lesson…

5. Groups of adjectives ‘misty’ and ‘diffused’ have associations of impaired visibility
Noun ‘splotches’ alludes to an irregular stain
“Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement.”
Personification ‘threw’ suggests violence or lack of control
Adjective ‘feeble’ has connotations of weakness and vulnerability
Adjective ‘slimy’ implies unpleasant, animalistic and dangerous.

6. How can I write to achieve all this? Five star paragraphs
Analyse further
Go round the star again
1. Make a point
Author
Whole text 5
2. Support your point
with a well chosen
piece of evidence –
probably a quotation
Context
Audience
Topic sentence
3. Zoom in on part of the
evidence – a word, a piece of
punctuation, a technique and
look at its connotations.
4. This suggests…

7. WAGOLL (what a good one looks like) How does the writer present setting?
In this extract Conan Doyle uses language for effect. For example: “the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light”. The words “misty” and “diffused” here both have connotations of vision. This suggests that the light from the lamps in London are not very clear. Conan Doyle has done this to makes it seem like something could easily be hidden or hiding.

8. OR WAGOLL How does the writer present setting?
In this extract Conan Doyle uses language for effect. For example: “the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light”. The adjectives “misty” and “diffused” here both have connotations of obscured or impaired vision. This suggests that the light from the lamps in London is ineffective, making the city seem poorly lit, dark and intimidating. Conan Doyle has done this to set the scene of mystery and suspense in the novel as this makes it seem like something could easily be hidden or hiding. A Victorian reader would have appreciated this description as the fog was renowned for hiding the crime of London.

9. How does the writer present setting in this extract?
Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden, and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings,—the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. None of the other houses were inhabited, and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbours, save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window.
AO1 – Read, understand and respond to texts
AO2 – Analyse the language form and structure, used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate
AO3 – Show understanding of the texts and the contexts in which they were written

10. Try your own five star paragraph for this extract and question.
Read the extract and highlight anything you think you could comment on – check the list of techniques authors use from the beginning of the lesson.
Share some ideas with your neighbour – explain it to them in your own words.
Have a go at writing.

11. How does the writer present setting in this extract?
Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden, and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings,—the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. None of the other houses were inhabited, and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbours, save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window.
WAGOLL
In this extract Conan Doyle uses language for effect. For example: “the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light”. The adjectives “misty” and “diffused” here both have connotations of obscured or impaired vision. This suggests that the light from the lamps in London is ineffective, making the city seem poorly lit, dark and intimidating. Conan Doyle has done this to set the scene of mystery and suspense in the novel as this makes it seem like something could easily be hidden or hiding. A Victorian audience would have appreciated this description as the fog was renowned for hiding the crime of London.

12. Peer Assessment
Read through your neighbour’s work very carefully and look for the following (tick them off as you go along):
Have they made an appropriate point?
Have the backed their point up with evidence?
Have they zoomed in on something and explored its connotations?
Have they looked at the suggestions of the technique?
Have they linked to something else from the extension star?
Are there any important SPaG corrections that are needed?
Give them a WWW (what went well) and an EBI (even better if)

13. Plenary - Peer Assessment Feedback
Read your peer feedback carefully and correct any glaring errors. Make a note of your target so you don’t make the same errors next time.

14. Homework Should: Complete a further five star paragraph on
Go on!
Challenge yourself.
Homework
Should: Complete a further five star paragraph on
the extract.
Could: Carry on with another paragraph.
Might: Push yourself further by choosing an area from the extension star that stretches you.

15. Learning Objective ‘The Sign of Four’
Should: Continue to understand how to write about the techniques Conan Doyle uses.
Could: Begin to understand how to write for the examination.
Might: Consolidate knowledge of examination writing and how to access the higher bands for analysis.