Paragraph Purpose Sort

Worked classroom example

English

Worked example

A paragraph beginning “However, the survey included only…” signals a qualification or counterpoint; the evidence and conclusion should be sorted by what they do, not by the first word alone.

Teaching sequence

1. Prepare four short paragraphs from an argument. Introduce paragraph purpose sort with one clear success criterion: match each paragraph to a purpose—claim, evidence, counterpoint or conclusion—and justify the choice with a linking phrase.
2. Model one short example from an argument with contrasting paragraphs. Think aloud about the language choice and the subject evidence; invite learners to test the example with a partner.
3. Learners apply the move to a new piece of English content. Use the prompt “What job is this paragraph doing in the argument?” to check whether their language matches their evidence.
4. Collect one independent response. Use a new paragraph and ask learners to identify its purpose plus one textual clue. Record one next step and adjust the scaffold to what this response shows.

Try it tomorrow

Match each paragraph to a purpose—claim, evidence, counterpoint or conclusion—and justify the choice with a linking phrase.

Independent check

Use a new paragraph and ask learners to identify its purpose plus one textual clue.

Scaffold built into this activity: Some scaffold

Use colour-coded purpose cards and one completed example; discuss the idea before naming the category.

Teacher language

Ask learners to point to the evidence, wording or feature behind their answer. Give thinking time before inviting a revision.

Adjust the support

More support

Use colour-coded purpose cards and one completed example; discuss the idea before naming the category.

Greater independence

Remove the cards and ask learners to propose a more precise purpose label.

Use the response to choose the next step; the scaffold label describes this activity design, not the learner.