• 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. Letter to the head teacher about a new club. Which sentence is most appropriate? (Hey! So I've got this cool idea for a club. / Coding club. Need it. Now. / Yo, can we get a coding club or what? / I am writing to propose a new coding club for Year 7 pupils.) → I am writing to propose a new coding club for Year 7 pupils.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 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.) → 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 post for your friends' group chat inviting them to a beach clean-up. Which version suits the audience and purpose best? → Pursuant to our previous discussion, attendance is mandatory. (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: a post for your friends' group chat inviting them to a beach clean-up. Which version suits the audience and purpose best? (Beach clean-up Saturday 10am — bring gloves and snacks! Who's in? 🌊 / Dear friends, I hereby formally request your attendance at a coastal litter-removal event. / Pursuant to our previous discussion, attendance is mandatory. / The beach will be cleaned.) → Beach clean-up Saturday 10am — bring gloves and snacks! Who's in? 🌊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. 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: the opening of a formal report to the council about traffic outside your school. Which opening suits the audience and purpose best? (This report sets out the results of a two-week traffic survey outside Hillside School and recommends three safety measures. / Traffic. Bad. Fix it. / I reckon the cars are a nightmare tbh. / OMG the traffic is SO bad, you guys have to do something!!) → This report sets out the results of a two-week traffic survey outside Hillside School and recommends three safety measures.Prompt: 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.