• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Formal register and tone; Concision: cutting wordiness and redundancy). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. An email applying for a summer job. Which closing is most appropriate? (Cheers, hope I get it lol. / Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you. / That's all. Bye. / Get back to me ASAP, yeah?) → Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose?
2. In my personal opinion, I think that the new library is very unique. Which revision is the most concise? (In my opinion, I think that the new library is very unique. / Personally, in my opinion, the new library is unique. / I personally think in my opinion that the library is unique. / I think the new library is unique.) → I think the new library is unique.Prompt: Look for words that repeat an idea already expressed.
3. Due to the fact that it was raining, the match was postponed until a later date. Which revision is the most concise? (Owing to the rain that was falling, the match was postponed until a later date in time. / Due to the fact that it was raining, the match was postponed until later. / Because it was raining, the match was postponed. / Because of the fact that it was raining, the match was postponed to a later date.) → Because it was raining, the match was postponed.Prompt: Look for words that repeat an idea already expressed.

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Style, tone and word choice (ACT English). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?
• Step 1: Effective style matches tone to purpose and uses precise, economical language.
• Step 2: So the answer is: The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• Answer: The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. A eulogy for a beloved teacher: "Mr Osei was okay and stuff and people kind of liked him." Which revision best suits the occasion? (Mr Osei? Yeah, decent guy. / Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students. / Mr Osei was a teacher who taught. / Mr Osei was okay and people liked him, mostly.) → Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?
2. An academic essay reads: "The study's methodology was, like, super solid, so its conclusions are pretty legit." Which revision best matches the essay's formal tone? (The study's methodology was totally awesome, so its conclusions rock. / The methodology? Solid. The conclusions? Legit. / The study's methodology was solid-ish, so its conclusions are kind of fine. / The study's methodology was rigorous, so its conclusions are credible.) → The study's methodology was rigorous, so its conclusions are credible.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 5 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. A eulogy for a beloved teacher: "Mr Osei was okay and stuff and people kind of liked him." Which revision best suits the occasion? (Mr Osei was a teacher who taught. / Mr Osei? Yeah, decent guy. / Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students. / Mr Osei was okay and people liked him, mostly.) → Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?
2. A report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise? (The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families. / The charity helped many families with things. / The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff. / The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff.) → The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-12.