Creating and presenting opening arguments for a debate
I can prepare an effective opening argument for both sides of a debate and present them successfully.
Creating and presenting opening arguments for a debate
I can prepare an effective opening argument for both sides of a debate and present them successfully.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In a debate you need to be prepared to take the role of proposition or opposition, regardless of personal stance.
- An opening argument should use formal vocabulary, specific examples and address the motion clearly.
- Discourse markers can be used to create a clear and logical line of argument.
- It is important to practise presenting your arguments.
- You should consider how you present your argument including body language and use of voice.
Keywords
Proposition - the side that supports the topic or motion being discussed
Opposition - the side that disagrees with the topic or motion
Logical - when an argument follows a sequence of ideas that are connected and easy to understand
Pace - how fast or slow someone speaks
Tone - the emotion or attitude in a speaker’s voice
Common misconception
In a debate you can only argue a stance you truly believe in.
Part of the skill of debating is being able to create, justify and convincingly present an argument that might not reflect your own personal viewpoint.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Creating and presenting opening arguments for a debate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Creating and presenting opening arguments for a debate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Participating in effective debates unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the model debate used in Learning Cycle 1. It is available in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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