• 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. ___ It gives pupils exercise. It teaches teamwork. It also helps them make friends. Which is the best topic sentence? (Some pupils prefer reading. / Teamwork is a word. / Playing a team sport has many benefits for pupils. / Football is played with a ball.) → Playing a team sport has many benefits for pupils.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
2. Our town needs a skate park. Young people have nowhere safe to skate, so they use car parks, which is dangerous. A skate park would keep them safe and give them a place to meet. What reason does the writer give? (Skating is an Olympic sport. / Skaters currently use dangerous car parks. / Everyone in town skates. / Skate parks are cheap.) → Skaters currently use dangerous car parks.Prompt: What is the writer's main claim?
3. ___ They can see in near darkness. Their soft feathers let them fly silently. Their sharp talons grip prey tightly. Which is the best topic sentence? (Owls are birds. / I saw an owl once. / Owls are well equipped for hunting at night. / Some birds eat seeds.) → Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

• 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. Thesis: Learning a second language benefits young children. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (Spanish is spoken in many countries. / Children like songs. / Languages have different alphabets. / Research suggests bilingual children often perform better on tasks requiring attention and switching between rules.) → Research suggests bilingual children often perform better on tasks requiring attention and switching between rules.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
2. Topic: Is social media good for young people? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (There are lots of apps. / 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. / 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.

• 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. Topic: Should schools start later in the morning? Which is the strongest thesis statement? (Sleep is important. / 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.) → 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.
2. Thesis: Public parks are essential to healthy cities. Which is the most convincing supporting evidence? (Parks have trees. / Some parks have cafés. / My friend likes going to the park. / A study of ten cities found that residents living near parks reported 20% lower stress levels.) → 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.

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