• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Adding, deleting and revising for purpose; Command of evidence (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. A writer wants to conclude a paragraph about the benefits of cycling to school by emphasising its environmental impact. Which sentence best achieves this goal? (Many pupils enjoy cycling with friends. / Bicycles were invented in the nineteenth century. / Cycling helmets come in many sizes. / Every journey made by bike instead of car keeps exhaust fumes out of the air we all breathe.) → Every journey made by bike instead of car keeps exhaust fumes out of the air we all breathe.Prompt: What is the paragraph's main focus or the writer's stated goal?
2. A student claims that the poet viewed nature as indifferent to human concerns. A: "The river ran on, not caring whose names were carved upon its banks." B: "The meadow welcomed us with open arms." C: "We picnicked by the gentle stream." D: "The birds sang just for me." Which quotation most effectively illustrates the claim? (A / B / C / D) → APrompt: First decide what the answer to the question is.
3. A paragraph explains how coral reefs protect coastlines from storms. The writer considers adding: "Coral comes in many beautiful colours." Should the writer add this sentence? (Yes, because it explains how storms form. / No, because it repeats information already given. / Yes, because it adds descriptive detail about coral. / No, because it does not relate to how reefs protect coastlines.) → No, because it does not relate to how reefs protect coastlines.Prompt: What is the paragraph's main focus or the writer's stated goal?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Rhetorical synthesis (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?
• Step 1: The right answer both uses accurate information from the notes and fulfils the stated goal.
• Step 2: So the answer is: As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• Answer: As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• 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. Notes: • Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. • They can regrow lost limbs, parts of their heart and even parts of their brain. • Scientists study them to learn about tissue regeneration. The student wants to explain why scientists are interested in axolotls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders. / Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. / Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration. / Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities.) → Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?
2. Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. / Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton. / Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010. / By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.) → As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?

• 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. Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Small coastal towns appear in many novels. / Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief. / Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief. / The novel has been translated into 30 languages.) → Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?
2. Notes: • Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. • They can regrow lost limbs, parts of their heart and even parts of their brain. • Scientists study them to learn about tissue regeneration. The student wants to explain why scientists are interested in axolotls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration. / Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities. / Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders. / Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City.) → Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.