A debate is a structured argument between two teams.

An opinion is a view or belief that a person has.

Reasoning is explaining why a person has a certain opinion.

To justify an opinion means giving clear reasoning.

Convincing someone will make them agree with your opinion.

Justifying an opinion

English

Making points and explanations in a debate

Giving proof and summarising an argument

Learning the roles in a debate and making a rebuttal

Making and responding to points of information

Preparing for a debate

Writing notes to support delivering a speech in a debate

Judging and scoring a debate

In ‘Introduction to Debate’, the pupils learn to justify their opinions with reasoning. In the Year 5 unit ‘Persuasive letter writing’, the pupils will build on this by using their justification skills to make a persuasive argument. 

In ‘Speeches’, pupils learned how to articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions, using a set structure to support them.  In this unit, they will build on that skill by learning how to prepare and participate in debates.

In this unit, pupils develop their understanding of debating conventions, including justifying, making points, giving proof, summarising, responding, judging and scoring a debate. Pupils learn how best to prepare for a debate and how to write notes to deliver a speech during a debate.

Introduction to debate

In a debate, people will give their opinion and justify it with what?

When speaking to an audience, which **three** of these are important to do?

What word signals to the audience that you are now using reasoning to justify your answer?

When someone has finished speaking in our debate lessons, what should you do?

I think that Italy is the best country to visit. 

I believe that school uniform should be banned.

Football is a sport that lots of people play. 

Which of these is a fact and **not** an opinion?

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

When speaking publicly, which **three** of these will help you?

What should a persuasive sentence include?

you should definitely try this delicious ice cream

Justifying an opinion

Lesson outcome