• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Topic sentences and paragraphs; Claims, reasons and evidence). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. ___ First, gather your ingredients. Next, mix them in a large bowl. Finally, bake for twenty minutes. Which is the best topic sentence? (Bowls can be large or small. / Muffins are delicious. / My aunt has an oven. / Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.) → Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
2. Schools should plant more trees. Trees provide shade on hot days, clean the air, and give pupils a calm place to read. A study in one city found that pupils with green views from their classrooms scored higher on attention tests. Which detail is evidence from research? (Trees provide shade on hot days. / Schools should plant more trees. / Trees give pupils a calm place to read. / Pupils with green views scored higher on attention tests.) → Pupils with green views scored higher on attention tests.Prompt: What is the writer's main claim?
3. Schools should plant more trees. Trees provide shade on hot days, clean the air, and give pupils a calm place to read. A study in one city found that pupils with green views from their classrooms scored higher on attention tests. What is the writer's claim? (Cities have many schools. / Pupils like reading. / Schools should plant more trees. / Trees provide shade.) → Schools should plant more trees.Prompt: What is the writer's main claim?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Thesis statements and supporting evidence. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Thesis: The town should ban single-use plastic bags. Which sentence best acknowledges and answers a counterargument?
• Step 1: Arguments need a clear thesis supported by relevant, credible evidence.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves.
• Answer: Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves.
• 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. Topic: Is social media good for young people? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (I will talk about social media. / While social media can connect young people, its effects on sleep, attention and self-esteem mean that its use should be limited. / There are lots of apps. / Social media is a thing many people use.) → While social media can connect young people, its effects on sleep, attention and self-esteem mean that its use should be limited.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
2. Topic: Should schools start later in the morning? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (Schools should start later because teenagers' sleep patterns make early starts harmful to their learning and health. / Some schools start early and some start late. / This essay is about school start times. / Sleep is important.) → Schools should start later because teenagers' sleep patterns make early starts harmful to their learning and health.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.

• 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. Thesis: Public parks are essential to healthy cities. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels. / My friend likes going to the park. / Some parks have cafés. / Parks have trees.) → A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
2. Topic: Should schools start later in the morning? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (Some schools start early and some start late. / This essay is about school start times. / Schools should start later because teenagers' sleep patterns make early starts harmful to their learning and health. / Sleep is important.) → Schools should start later because teenagers' sleep patterns make early starts harmful to their learning and health.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.