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Year 4

What is a debate?

I can define a 'debate' and an 'opinion'.

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New
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Year 4

What is a debate?

I can define a 'debate' and an 'opinion'.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A debate is a structured argument between two teams.
  2. An opinion is a view or belief that a person has.
  3. An important aspect of debating is justifying opinions.
  4. It is important to speak in a loud, clear voice, make eye contact with the audience and stand up straight.

Keywords

  • Debate - a structured argument between two teams

  • Opinion - a view or belief that a person has

  • Reasoning - explaining why a person has a certain opinion

  • Justify - giving clear reasoning for an opinion

Common misconception

Pupils may think that an opinion has to include 'my' or 'I'.

Explain to pupils that an opinion is a view or belief that a person has. 'Tennis is the best sport' is an opinion because it is not a fact. Someone else may think differently.


To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: What is a debate?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Clearly model the top tips to becoming a successful speaker. You may wish to display these with visuals somewhere in the classroom for pupils to refer to.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
An opinion is ...
a fact.
Correct answer: what a person believes.
an incorrect answer.
Q2.
Which of the following are opinions?
Cardiff is the capital of Wales.
Correct answer: French fries are the tastiest potato.
Bees produce honey.
Correct answer: Running is my favourite sport.
Q3.
What does it mean to make 'eye contact' with someone?
to look away from someone
Correct answer: to look at someone at the same time that they look at you
to look at the ground
to look at yourself in a mirror
Q4.
Which of the following sentences is written in the first person?
Swimming is a great form of exercise.
Correct answer: I love to go swimming.
You can find a swimming pool in the local leisure centre.
Swimming is so fun!
Q5.
What is an audience?
a group of people performing
Correct answer: a group of people watching or listening to someone speak or perform
a group of people supporting their favourite team
Q6.
Which of the following is a subordinating conjunction?
and
or
Correct answer: because
but
In addition,

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are facts?
I love to do gymnastics.
Correct answer: 20 + 20 = 40
Tomato sauce is the best sauce for pasta.
Correct answer: Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.
Q2.
Which of the following help you to be a successful speaker?
Look at the floor.
Correct answer: Speak clearly and loudly.
Correct answer: Stand up straight.
Fiddle with your fingers.
Correct answer: Make eye contact with the audience.
Q3.
Which of the following are reasons why someone might debate?
Correct answer: to settle an argument
to make someone else laugh
Correct answer: to give their opinion
to entertain a crowd
Q4.
Match the opinion to the justification.
Correct Answer:I love to play football,because it is a fun form of exercise.
tick

because it is a fun form of exercise.

Correct Answer:Homework should be banned,because children are tired after school.
tick

because children are tired after school.

Correct Answer:Dogs are a great pet,because they are loyal to their owner.
tick

because they are loyal to their owner.

Q5.
What should we do when someone is sharing their opinion?
Ignore them.
Correct answer: Listen to them.
Close our eyes.
Q6.
Which of these is a fact and not an opinion?
I think that Mexican food is delicious.
I believe that cars should be banned in cities.
Correct answer: There are 7 players on a netball team.