The 2025 R. Joel Senter Sr. Memorial Essay Contest
4th - 6th Grade Form

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DIRECTIONS

Students are encouraged to choose from “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,” or “The Adventure of the Red-Headed League.” 

​Choose ONE story and indicate which question you are answering.

​Write a 300-500 word essay to answer one of the following questions. 

NOTE:  Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.

Please see the Rules Tab for complete contest rules.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Sherlock Holmes uses methods to solve crimes that the London police don’t typically think to do.  What are Sherlock Holmes’s methods for solving this mystery? Be sure to discuss not just what he says, but what he does.  Why do you think he behaves differently than the police?
2. This story is told from Dr. Watson’s point of view.  Why do you think Arthur Conan Doyle chose to write the stories with this point of view?  How does it affect the reader's response?  How would the story change if told from a different point of view?
3. Discuss how the setting of the story contributes to it.  How does it support or contradict with the behavior of the characters or the main conflict in the story?  Does the setting set a certain mood for this story?