• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Style, tone and word choice (ACT English); Formal register and tone). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. 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. / Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help. / We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients. / The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.) → The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.Prompt: Who is the audience and what is the purpose?
2. An essay paragraph analysing a poem. Which sentence is most appropriate? (The poet goes on and on about grey stuff. / The poet's repeated images of grey skies create a bleak and lifeless atmosphere. / I didn't really get the poem but it's sad. / The poem is pretty depressing tbh.) → The poet's repeated images of grey skies create a bleak and lifeless atmosphere.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose?
3. 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 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 methodology? Solid. The conclusions? Legit.) → The study's methodology was rigorous, so its conclusions are credible.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: Adapting register and tone to audience and purpose. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Purpose: an email to a company complaining that a product broke after one week. Which sentence suits the audience and purpose best?
• Step 1: Effective writers adapt register — formality, vocabulary and tone — to their audience and purpose.
• Step 2: Firm, polite and specific is most effective for a complaint.
• Step 3: So the answer is: I am writing to report that the headphones I bought on 3 May stopped working after one week, and I would like a replacement or refund.
• Answer: I am writing to report that the headphones I bought on 3 May stopped working after one week, and I would like a replacement or refund.
• 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. Is the proposed answer correct? Purpose: a short article for a science magazine for 11-year-olds explaining black holes. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? → Imagine something so heavy that not even light can escape its pull — that's a black hole! (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?
2. Purpose: a short article for a science magazine for 11-year-olds explaining black holes. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? (Imagine something so heavy that not even light can escape its pull — that's a black hole! / Black holes are regions of spacetime exhibiting gravitational effects so strong that no particles or electromagnetic radiation can escape. / Black holes, lol. / To whom it may concern: black holes.) → Imagine something so heavy that not even light can escape its pull — that's a black hole!Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?

• 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 6 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. Purpose: a speech to Year 7 pupils encouraging them to join the reading club. Which line suits the audience and purpose best? (Reading club. Tuesdays. Be there. / The reading club operates in accordance with library regulations. / Imagine travelling to a new world every week without leaving your chair — that's what our reading club offers. / Notwithstanding prior commitments, attendance is encouraged.) → Imagine travelling to a new world every week without leaving your chair — that's what our reading club offers.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?
2. Is the proposed answer correct? Purpose: a speech to Year 7 pupils encouraging them to join the reading club. Which line suits the audience and purpose best? → Imagine travelling to a new world every week without leaving your chair — that's what our reading club offers. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?

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