Rewrite for Two Readers

Worked classroom example

Across subjects

Worked example

Technical: “The resultant force is zero.” New reader: “The forces balance, so they do not change the object’s velocity.” Avoid replacing this with “It must be still”.

Use this example to make the language move visible. Select subject content appropriate to the class’s age and prior knowledge.

Teaching sequence

1. Identify the meaning that must be preserved.
2. Draft for a reader who knows the technical terms.
3. Rewrite for a reader new to the topic.
4. Compare the versions for accuracy, detail and tone.

Try it in your next lesson

Prepare

Use a technical explanation and two audiences. Choose a second example that checks the same language move without repeating the original answer.

Classroom task

Adapt explanation without changing the central meaning.

Check independent transfer

Ask for a third audience and check the content has remained accurate.

Collect a response on fresh content. Note what was achieved without the model, partner or teacher prompt, then choose one next teaching step.

Teacher language

Teacher language

Which meaning must survive the simpler wording?

Respond to the learner

Identify one successful meaning or language choice. Ask about one gap, allow thinking time, then invite a revision. Check the revised move again on a fresh example.

Adjust support and challenge

Offer a brief model, useful vocabulary and partner rehearsal where needed. Keep the subject goal; reduce one prompt on fresh content and record what was independent.

Teaching this skill → · Age and language support →

More support

Use oral rehearsal, a brief model and a limited sentence frame. Remove one support for the fresh writing task. Allow familiar-language notes or another response mode when checking subject understanding.

Greater independence

Change the content, evidence or audience. Remove the completed model and ask learners to explain a choice. Increase subject complexity only when it fits the curriculum and prior knowledge.

Choose the next step

If subject meaning is insecure, reteach the concept. If the concept is understood but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship and invite a fresh response.