Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes uses a combination of deductive and inductive reasoning. However, Holmes is most famous for his use of inductive reasoning.  For example, Holmes finds a type of soil in the sole of a suspect’s shoe exclusive to the scene of a crime.  Ergo, the suspect was at the scene of the crime, Holmes determines.

As you have read this semester, the thinking pattern of inductive reasoning is not always true, as it requires a “leap.”  Using any of the FREE Sherlock Holmes stories or TV/Film versions online and streaming, cite at least THREE examples of Holmes, during the course of an investigation, having to “leap to a conclusion” to compensate for a gap in his 100% certain knowledge or particular detail in a case. 

You may draw examples from multiple Holmes stories if you wish.

In your CONCLUSION, as you seek to make an overall observation and wrap up the essay (WITHOUT repeating yourself!), consider whether or not investigators should (or even, must) use inductive reasoning in the course of pursuing justice.  Of course, you can also make other statements.  The point is to leave your reader more enlightened AFTER reading your paper than before.

MLA REMINDERS: Italics and Quotation Marks

Remember that stories go ONLY in quotation marks.  A novel, film, or TV series title goes in italics — and italics ONLY. (We never combine quotation marks and italics).  Individual TV episodes only go in “quotation marks.”