• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Topic sentences and paragraphs; Claims, reasons and evidence). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. ___ They can see in near darkness. Their soft feathers let them fly silently. Their sharp talons grip prey tightly. Which is the best topic sentence? (Owls are well equipped for hunting at night. / Owls are birds. / Some birds eat seeds. / I saw an owl once.) → Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
2. Some people say video games waste time. But many games require planning, teamwork and quick decisions. Of course, playing for too long can harm sleep, so limits are sensible. Which sentence is a counterclaim? (Limits are sensible. / Some people say video games waste time. / Many games require planning. / Games need quick decisions.) → Some people say video games waste time.Prompt: What is the writer's main claim?
3. Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Many medicines come from rainforest plants. Deserts get very little rain. Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. / Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. / Many medicines come from rainforest plants. / Deserts get very little rain.) → Deserts get very little rain.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Thesis statements and supporting evidence. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Thesis: The town should ban single-use plastic bags. Which sentence best acknowledges and answers a counterargument?
• Step 1: Arguments need a clear thesis supported by relevant, credible evidence.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves.
• Answer: Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves.
• 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. Thesis: Learning a second language benefits young children. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (Spanish is spoken in many countries. / Research suggests bilingual children often perform better on tasks requiring attention and switching between rules. / Children like songs. / Languages have different alphabets.) → Research suggests bilingual children often perform better on tasks requiring attention and switching between rules.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
2. Thesis: Public parks are essential to healthy cities. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (Some parks have cafés. / My friend likes going to the park. / Parks have trees. / A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels.) → A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.

• 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. Thesis: Public parks are essential to healthy cities. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels. / Parks have trees. / Some parks have cafés. / My friend likes going to the park.) → A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
2. Topic: Is social media good for young people? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (While social media can connect young people, its effects on sleep, attention and self-esteem mean that its use should be limited. / I will talk about social media. / Social media is a thing many people use. / There are lots of apps.) → While social media can connect young people, its effects on sleep, attention and self-esteem mean that its use should be limited.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.