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Using credible statistics in a piece of non-fiction writing

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can understand what makes a credible statistic, and use this understanding to create my own credible statistics.

Key learning points

  1. A statistic is a piece of factual data gathered from a large quantity of numerical data.
  2. Statistics can make a writer’s arguments seem credible because their opinion is backed up with factual data.
  3. Writers show that their statistics are credible by including things like the source and date of the data they refer to.
  4. You can invent your own credible statistics in pieces of writing where you are not expected to conduct research.

Keywords

  • Credible - convincing, trustworthy, reliable

  • Reconvictions - being found guilty of a crime after already being found guilty for another, different crime

Common misconception

Writing down any number in a piece of non-fiction writing is enough to show you know how to use statistics.

Statistics need to be credible. When creating your own statistics, you need to think carefully about how to make them sound believable by giving details like their source, date and data sample size.

Teacher tip

Consider if your pupils need further scaffolding to write their paragraph. For example, they could improve Sam's paragraph in LC2 rather than come up with their own ideas. The focus is using credible statistics rather than creating a completely original response.

Equipment

You need access to selected sections of Erwin James's 'The Norwegian Prison' (2013). These can be found on the lesson's worksheets.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
 (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word to its definition. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

Correct Answer:credible,convincing, trustworthy, reliable

convincing, trustworthy, reliable

Correct Answer:scandal,an action or event that provokes outrage

an action or event that provokes outrage

Correct Answer:compelling,convincing, persuasive

convincing, persuasive

Q2.
Which of these are examples of statistics? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

The children were 13, 12 and 9.
Correct answer: About 4/5 of the students in the year passed the exam.
There was a new law passed in 2007.
Correct answer: Over 76% of pupils in the class enjoyed the book.
18 times 3 is 54.

Q3.
Which word means being found guilty of a crime after already being found guilty for another, different crime? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

conviction
offence
Correct answer: reconviction
imprisonment
rehabilitation

Q4.
What is true of Bastoy prison island? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

It is an old Victorian jail.
It is in Norway.
Correct answer: It is a minimum-security jail.
Correct answer: It is criticised for being too kind to prisoners.
Correct answer: Those released from Bastoy have low reconvictions rates.

Q5.
How is a statistic different from a fact? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

Facts are true; statistics aren’t.
Correct answer: A fact is a true statement; a statistic is about a sample of data.
Correct answer: A statistic uses numerical data; a fact doesn’t need to.
You can’t use statistics in fiction; you can include facts.

Q6.
What is true of Erwin James’s feelings towards Bastoy prison island, as reflected in his article ‘The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like people’? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

He prefers the British prison system to the Norwegian one.
Correct answer: He is surprised by some of the things he experiences at Bastoy prison.
He is angry that the prisoners on Bastoy avoid harsh punishment.
Correct answer: He is impressed by the low rates of reconvictions.

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
A is a piece of factual data gathered from a large quantity of numerical data. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

Correct Answer: statistic

Q2.
Which of the following examples are credible statistics? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

I ate four doughnuts, and drank three litres of milk yesterday.
Correct answer: By 2021, over 67% of over 10 year-olds in the UK had read Harry Potter.
Over 99% of people need glasses apparently.
I turned 16 in 2004.

Q3.
Which of these words is an antonym for credible? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

likely
Correct answer: untrustworthy
factual
bad

Q4.
Which of these sentences use the word reconviction (or a form of it) correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

Correct answer: Despite investment in rehabilitation, reconviction rates remain high.
Correct answer: In light of the evidence, reconviction seems certain.
She was a reconvict because she was arrested once.
He didn’t commit further crimes and so was reconvicted for life.

Q5.
Which of these sentences use the word credible correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

Correct answer: The story was so strange, I am not sure it was credible really.
The evidence against her was found to be credible so she was set free.
Correct answer: We were given credible information about their location and found them there.
Correct answer: The actor gave a credible performance despite not knowing his lines.

Q6.
Which of these sentences use the word compelling (or its forms) correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)

It was an uncompelled day, with clouds in the sky.
Correct answer: She was compelled to do an encore by her audience.
Correct answer: You can’t compel me to do anything I don’t want to do.
Correct answer: The article made a compelling case for a different approach to imprisonment.
I compelled one meal to another and decided which I liked best.

To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using credible statistics in a piece of non-fiction writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...