DSE English: Paper 2 Article Writing

DSE English: Paper 2 Article Writing — Tutor Lesson Plan

2026-10-27

Tutor lesson-prep guides · Secondary English

Students write a lot and say little. Four boxes fix it: headline, position, two reasons, one action.

Objectives — the student can write an article with a clear position, a topic sentence in each paragraph, a suitable register, and a concrete closing action.

01 Prerequisites (3-minute check)

If any of these fails, fix it before the lesson starts.

Skill	Quick check	Pass mark
Paragraphing	Write a paragraph with a topic sentence	Topic sentence first
Linkers	One sentence each with however and therefore	Correct
Grammar	Three accurate present-tense sentences	Subject-verb agreement

02 Lesson flow (60 minutes)

Time	Stage	Tutor does	Student does
0-8 min	Unpack the task	Who reads it and why	Name audience and purpose
8-20 min	Four boxes	Headline, position, two reasons, action	Fill the plan
20-36 min	Body paragraphs	Topic sentence plus example	Write two
36-48 min	Register	School magazine, not slang	Rewrite three lines
48-56 min	Checklist	Length, tense, spelling	Self-check
56-60 min	Exit check	Collect plan and paragraph	Finish alone

03 Teaching script (read it out)

Scene 1: Position first

An article needs a clear position in paragraph one: what you think, and why it matters.
Then one reason per paragraph with a concrete example.
Vague pieces lose marks even with accurate grammar.

Student writes one position sentence.

Scene 2: One topic sentence per paragraph

Start each paragraph with a topic sentence, then support it with an example or a figure.
Two ideas in one paragraph means it should be two paragraphs.

Student underlines each topic sentence.

Scene 3: Register and closing action

Write for a school magazine: friendly but not slangy.
Close with a concrete proposal, not a vague hope.
One action is stronger than three wishes.

Warn: no new argument in the conclusion.

04 Question types and worked steps

Type	Example	Steps	Answer
Headline and position	Article on reducing food waste	Headline plus stance	One clear sentence
Body	One reason per paragraph	Topic sentence plus example	Two paragraphs
Register	School magazine audience	Friendly, not slangy	Raise informal lines
Closing	Call to action	One specific proposal	One action

Sanity check (teach this): Every paragraph must support the stated position; if it could be removed without loss, it does not belong.

05 Independent practice (3 questions)

Question	Answer	What to watch
Write a position on food waste	By task	Arguable and clear
Write a topic sentence with an example	By task	Concrete example
Rewrite “it is super bad”	It is a serious problem	Register raised

06 Common mistakes and what to say

Mistake	Student writes	Say this
No position	describes only	State your view early.
Too many ideas per paragraph	two reasons in one	One reason each.
Too informal	stuff, kinda	Neutral English.
Vague ending	I hope this helps	Propose one action.

07 Homework (paper, section and question numbers)

Secondary English chapter index — Use the three questions on this page

08 Exit check (last 5 minutes)

Question	Answer	Decision
First paragraph needs	Headline and position	All right: move to summary cloze
Each paragraph starts with	A topic sentence	One wrong: re-teach structure
The ending needs	One concrete action	Two wrong: repeat the four boxes

09 Tutor FAQ

Memorise model essays?

Memorise structures and phrases, not whole texts.

Not enough words?

Add examples and figures, not adjectives.

Personal stories?

One paragraph at most.

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A TutorZone lesson-prep guide. Written by the TutorZone team; questions and lesson flow are original and are not taken from any school or publisher material.