Learn Like a GEM
Subject: English
Lesson: Directed writing - article
Date:25.11.25
Do Now
The Attention Grabber (5 Minutes)
Goal: Practice writing a compelling headline and opening sentence (hook) for a specific article topic.
The Task:
You are writing a short, persuasive article for a school blog about the proposal to ban phones from the lunch hall.
[Link] the BEST headline you can think of to make teenagers want to read this article. (Use a rhetorical question,
alliteration, or a pun.)
[Link] the first sentence (the hook) that grabs the reader's attention and makes them feel the topic is important right now.
Example Goal: (Headline: Silence in the Stalls: Are Lunchtime Chats an Endangered Species? Hook: For many students,
the lunch bell isn't a call to eat, it's a call to scroll—but that might be about to change.)
Learning Outcome To Know
By the end of this lesson, you will be Knowledge component
able to
Core Requirements & Marks
Understand how to structure and write •Total Marks: 40 marks (25 for writing quality, 15 for content/reading).
a persuasive article for the Paper 2 •Word Count: Write about 250-350 words.
directed writing task, effectively
•Time: Spend no more than one hour on this question.
evaluating ideas from given texts.
•Content: You must read one or two texts and use them to guide your writing. The 15 content marks are awarded
for your full understanding (assimilate) and ability to evaluate (weigh pros and cons) the ideas.
The Five-Step Process
You must follow these steps to approach the task:
[Link] the Question: Determine the Purpose, Audience, and Format . Highlight the line that tells you what to evaluate.
[Link] Reading: Read and annotate the texts for explicit and implicit meaning (using inference). Annotate thoughts on the strengths
and weaknesses of the arguments.
[Link] Your Answer: Use the required format (Article) to structure your response.
[Link] Your Answer: Use accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar with specific vocabulary. Show that you understand the PAF
and evaluate the ideas from both texts. Base your article on the texts, but be careful to use your own words.
[Link] Your Work: Read slowly and correct all SPaG errors, as 25 marks are awarded for writing accuracy.
I Do
I Do
I Do Structure of an article.
Section Content Key Feature
Grab attention: e.g., When you think
2-3 sentences that clearly state the
Short 'Hook' Paragraph about X, you might think... However,
discussion topic
have you considered that...?.
Find three points from the first text
Paragraph One (Evaluation) and either oppose them or add to Evaluation: Show contrast or
them agreement1
Find three points from the second text
Paragraph Two (Evaluation) and either oppose them or add to Evaluation: Use comparative linking
them (e.g., "Similarly/In contrast")
State your overall opinion (what you Persuasive Devices: Use the rule of
Paragraph Three (Persuasion)
think) three, a rhetorical question, and
direct address
Include a Call to Action—what you
Short Closing Paragraph 1-2 sentences
want the audience to do next
I Do
You Do
We Do
I Do
I Do
We Do
Read the given passages and pick three points from text A and Three points
from text B and plan your article.
You Do
Write your article using the format given earlier.
Affirmative Checking
Use the marking scheme to peer assess.
Exit Ticket
1. What have you done well?
2. Which aspect of directed writing would you need to work on?
Thank you
Mario Ross
English Teacher
CHS