• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Thesis statements and supporting evidence; The Toulmin model: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, rebuttal). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which part of the Toulmin model matches this description? A word or phrase that limits how strongly the claim is made. (backing / rebuttal / warrant / qualifier) → qualifierPrompt: Ask what job each part does: state, prove, connect, support the connection, limit, or admit exceptions.
2. Thesis: The town should ban single-use plastic bags. Which sentence best acknowledges and answers a counterargument? (Bags can be blue or white. / Everyone agrees with me. / Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves. / Plastic bags are bad.) → Some shoppers worry about the cost of reusable bags, but most last for years and quickly pay for themselves.Prompt: A strong thesis takes a clear, arguable position and hints at the reasons.
3. Which part of a Toulmin argument is this sentence? Separating cyclists from traffic reduces collisions. (warrant / claim / grounds / backing) → warrantPrompt: Is it the position itself, a piece of evidence, the link between them, support for that link, a limiting word like 'in most cases', or an 'unless'?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Is it an arguable thesis?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What kind of statement is this, as the thesis of an essay? This essay is about the novel 'Frankenstein'.
• Step 1: A strong thesis is arguable, specific and often previews its reasons; facts, vague generalisations and topic announcements are not theses.
• Step 2: It announces the subject only.
• Step 3: So the answer is: an announcement of the topic
• Answer: an announcement of the topic
• 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. What kind of statement is this, as the thesis of an essay? Shakespeare is a very important writer. (arguable, specific thesis / just a fact / too broad or vague / an announcement of the topic) → too broad or vaguePrompt: Could a reasonable person disagree with it? If not, it's a fact or an announcement.
2. Which statement is this: just a fact? (The Second World War ended in 1945. / Social media has changed the way teenagers communicate. / In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents ambition not as a personal flaw alone but as a force encouraged by the people around Macbeth, especially his wife.) → The Second World War ended in 1945.Prompt: Could a reasonable person disagree with it? If not, it's a fact or an announcement.

• 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. What kind of statement is this, as the thesis of an essay? Water boils at 100 °C at sea level. (arguable, specific thesis / just a fact / too broad or vague / an announcement of the topic) → just a factPrompt: Could a reasonable person disagree with it? If not, it's a fact or an announcement.
2. Which statement is this: an announcement of the topic? (The voting age should be lowered to sixteen because sixteen-year-olds already work, pay tax and can make informed choices. / This essay is about the novel 'Frankenstein'. / Cities should prioritise protected cycle lanes over new car parks, because they reduce congestion and pollution at lower cost.) → This essay is about the novel 'Frankenstein'.Prompt: Could a reasonable person disagree with it? If not, it's a fact or an announcement.

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