• 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 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? (No, because it repeats information already given. / No, because it does not relate to how reefs protect coastlines. / Yes, because it adds descriptive detail about coral. / Yes, because it explains how storms form.) → 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?
2. A researcher hypothesises that bees prefer blue flowers to yellow ones. A: Bees visited both colours in the morning. B: Bees made 62% of their visits to blue flowers and 38% to yellow flowers of the same size and scent. C: Yellow flowers were more common in the field. D: Some bees did not visit any flowers. Which finding, if true, would most directly support the hypothesis? (A / B / C / D) → BPrompt: First decide what the answer to the question is.
3. An essay about the invention of the telephone includes the sentence: "Many people today prefer texting to calling." Should this sentence be deleted? (No, because it is the essay's main claim. / No, because it explains how the telephone works. / Yes, because it shifts away from the invention of the telephone. / Yes, because it is grammatically incorrect.) → Yes, because it shifts away from the invention of the telephone.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: • The Great Wall of China is over 21,000 km long. • Construction took place over many centuries. • Hadrian's Wall in Britain is about 117 km long. • It was built in about six years. The student wants to emphasise a difference in length between the two walls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (The Great Wall was constructed over many centuries. / At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long. / Both the Great Wall of China and Hadrian's Wall were built long ago. / Hadrian's Wall took about six years to build.) → At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long.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? (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.) → 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?

• 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? (Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief. / Small coastal towns appear in many novels. / 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.) → 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? (Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities. / Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders. / Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration. / 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.