• 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 goes on and on about grey stuff. / 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.) → 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. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the morning. Which revision is the most concise? (In the morning at 9 a.m. the meeting will begin then. / The meeting, at 9 a.m. in the morning, will begin. / The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. / The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the morning time.) → The meeting will begin at 9 a.m.Prompt: Look for words that repeat an idea already expressed.
3. A science report on plant growth. Which sentence is most appropriate? (The sunny plants totally smashed it, growing loads more. / Honestly, the shade plants were kind of rubbish. / OMG the plants in the sun grew so much!! / The plants in sunlight grew an average of 4 cm more than those in shade.) → The plants in sunlight grew an average of 4 cm more than those in shade.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 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. / The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients. / We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.) → The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.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 rigorous, so its conclusions are credible. / 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.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 scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy? (Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help. / The drug definitely cures all patients. / 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. 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? (Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals. / People were there. Food was there too. / 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?

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