• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Semicolons in lists that contain commas; When NO punctuation is needed (SAT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is this sentence correct? We need eggs; flour; and sugar for the cake. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Do the list items already contain commas?
2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The sculpture is made of recycled steel. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Ask what the two parts on either side of the gap are: subject + verb? verb + object? preposition + object?
3. Which punctuation mark belongs at [?] My cousin, who lives in Wellington [?] is visiting in December. (, / — / ; / no punctuation) → ,Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Punctuating complex sentences accurately. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Speakers included Dr Lee; a geologist, Ms Ortiz; a novelist, and Mr Haddad; a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included: Dr Lee a geologist; Ms Ortiz a novelist; and Mr Haddad a chef.
• Step 1: In complex sentences every mark must do its job: commas after openers and around non-essential parts, semicolons between clauses or complex list items, colons after complete clauses, matching pairs of dashes.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.
• Answer: Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.
• 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. Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included: Dr Lee a geologist; Ms Ortiz a novelist; and Mr Haddad a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee; a geologist, Ms Ortiz; a novelist, and Mr Haddad; a chef. (Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef. / Speakers included: Dr Lee a geologist; Ms Ortiz a novelist; and Mr Haddad a chef. / Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef. / Speakers included Dr Lee; a geologist, Ms Ortiz; a novelist, and Mr Haddad; a chef.) → Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.Prompt: Check each boundary in turn: introductory clauses, non-essential information, joining independent clauses, lists, colons and quotations.
2. Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The expedition needed three things; funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Check each boundary in turn: introductory clauses, non-essential information, joining independent clauses, lists, colons and quotations.

• 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. Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years. (Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years. / Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years. / Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years. / Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years.) → Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years.Prompt: Check each boundary in turn: introductory clauses, non-essential information, joining independent clauses, lists, colons and quotations.
2. Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Check each boundary in turn: introductory clauses, non-essential information, joining independent clauses, lists, colons and quotations.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-12.