• 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 essay paragraph analysing a poem. Which sentence is most appropriate? (The poet's repeated images of grey skies create a bleak and lifeless atmosphere. / The poem is pretty depressing tbh. / I didn't really get the poem but it's sad. / The poet goes on and on about grey stuff.) → The poet's repeated images of grey skies create a bleak and lifeless atmosphere.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? (I personally think in my opinion that the library is unique. / In my opinion, I think that the new library is very unique. / Personally, in my opinion, the new 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. An email applying for a summer job. Which closing is most appropriate? (Cheers, hope I get it lol. / That's all. Bye. / Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you. / 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?

• 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 was okay and people liked him, mostly. / Mr Osei was a teacher who taught. / Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.) → Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?
2. A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal? (People were there. Food was there too. / Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals. / There were many people and also some food items. / The market had people in it, plus food.) → Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.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 report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise? (The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff. / The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff. / The charity helped many families with things. / The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.) → The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?
2. A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy? (The drug definitely cures all patients. / The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients. / We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients. / Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.) → The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.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.