• 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. A complaint letter to a company about a broken product. Which sentence is most appropriate? (The lamp's dead. Rubbish. / Unfortunately, the lamp I purchased stopped working after two days. / Lol the lamp broke already. / Your lamp is junk and I want my money back now.) → Unfortunately, the lamp I purchased stopped working after two days.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose?
3. A eulogy for a beloved teacher: "Mr Osei was okay and stuff and people kind of liked him." Which revision best suits the occasion? (Mr Osei? Yeah, decent guy. / Mr Osei was a teacher who taught. / Mr Osei was okay and people liked him, mostly. / Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.) → Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.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? → 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. (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? (Traffic. Bad. Fix it. / I reckon the cars are a nightmare tbh. / This report sets out the results of a two-week traffic survey outside Hillside School and recommends three safety measures. / 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)?

• 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: an email to a company complaining that a product broke after one week. Which sentence suits the audience and purpose best? (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. / hi, headphones broke, sort it / Your headphones are rubbish and so is your company. / I am absolutely devastated beyond words by this tragedy.) → 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.Prompt: Who is the audience, and what is the purpose (request, inform, persuade, entertain)?
2. 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? → To whom it may concern: black holes. (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.