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Year 5

Justifying an opinion

I can justify an opinion using reasoning.

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Year 5

Justifying an opinion

I can justify an opinion using reasoning.

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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. In a debate, an opinion must be justified with reasoning.

Keywords

  • Debate - A debate is a structured argument between two teams.

  • Opinion - An opinion is a view or belief that a person has.

  • Reasoning - Reasoning is explaining why a person has a certain opinion.

  • Justify - To justify an opinion means giving clear reasoning.

  • Opinion - Convincing someone will make them agree with your opinion.

Common misconception

Opinions do not need to be justified in a debate.

Opinions need to be justified to convince the audience.


To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Justifying an opinion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

A speaking game runs through the lesson and increases in complexity each time. Try and build in time for all pupils to have a go and insist that they stand up and speak in front of the class. After they speak, give feedback on their delivery.
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Licence

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.
What is an opinion?
a fact that a person knows
Correct answer: a view or belief that a person has
a list of items
Q2.
What is a fact?
a view or belief that a person has
Correct answer: a statement that is true
a piece of gossip
Q3.
Which of the following is an opinion?
2 + 2 = 4
Correct answer: Chocolate ice cream is the best flavour.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
London is the capital city of England.
Q4.
When speaking publicly, which three of these will help you?
Correct answer: speaking with a loud voice
Correct answer: speaking clearly
looking at the floor
Correct answer: looking at the audience
speaking quietly
Q5.
What should a persuasive sentence include?
long and detailed sentences
rhyming words
Correct answer: strong evidence and logical reasoning
Q6.
Which of the following is persuasive?
the sky is blue
Correct answer: you should definitely try this delicious ice cream
I like reading books

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How many teams are involved in a debate?
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
Q2.
In a debate, people will give their opinion and justify it with what?
a different opinion
Correct answer: reasoning
facts
Q3.
When speaking to an audience, which three of these are important to do?
Correct answer: speak loudly and clearly
smile while speaking
Correct answer: make eye-contact
Correct answer: stand-up straight
move your feet
Q4.
What word signals to the audience that you are now using reasoning to justify your answer?
and
but
or
Correct answer: because
so
Q5.
When someone has finished speaking in our debate lessons, what should you do?
laugh
stay silent
Correct answer: applaud
Q6.
Which of these is a fact and not an opinion?
I think that Italy is the best country to visit.
I believe that school uniform should be banned.
Correct answer: Football is a sport that lots of people play.