• 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? (Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help. / 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.) → 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 poem is pretty depressing tbh. / I didn't really get the poem but it's sad. / The poet's repeated images of grey skies create a bleak and lifeless atmosphere. / 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?
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 methodology? Solid. The conclusions? Legit. / The study's methodology was rigorous, so its conclusions are credible. / 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.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: an email to a company complaining that a product broke after one week. Which sentence suits the audience and purpose best? → Your headphones are rubbish and so is your company. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?
2. Purpose: ask your head teacher for permission to start a climate club. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? (To whom it may concern, I demand that the school immediately creates a club. / Climate club. Yes or no? / Hey Miss! Can we do a climate club pls? / Dear Ms Rahman, I am writing to ask whether a group of Year 12 students could start a lunchtime climate club.) → Dear Ms Rahman, I am writing to ask whether a group of Year 12 students could start a lunchtime climate club.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 8 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: ask your head teacher for permission to start a climate club. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? (Climate club. Yes or no? / Dear Ms Rahman, I am writing to ask whether a group of Year 12 students could start a lunchtime climate club. / To whom it may concern, I demand that the school immediately creates a club. / Hey Miss! Can we do a climate club pls?) → Dear Ms Rahman, I am writing to ask whether a group of Year 12 students could start a lunchtime climate club.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?
2. Is the proposed answer correct? Purpose: the opening of a formal report to the council about traffic outside your school. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? → OMG the traffic is SO bad, you guys have to do something!! (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not 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.