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Year 7

Using evidence to elevate discussions

I can effectively choose and use evidence to develop my comments in a discussion.

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New
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Year 7

Using evidence to elevate discussions

I can effectively choose and use evidence to develop my comments in a discussion.

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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. Discussions can be elevated with the inclusion of evidence.
  2. Written responses, textual evidence can also be used in discussions.
  3. Different types of evidence can be used, depending on the question, for example: anecdotal evidence or speculation.
  4. It is a good idea to use tentative phrases when evidence is not verified or anecdotal.

Keywords

  • Evidence - information, facts, or data used to support a claim, argument or belief

  • Textual - relating to texts

  • Anecdotal - based on personal stories or experiences rather than on hard facts or scientific evidence

  • Speculative - based on guesses or ideas rather than solid evidence or facts

  • Verified - something that has been checked and confirmed to be true, accurate or valid

Common misconception

You can't prepare for discussions, so it's not really something you can practise.

Just like writing, you can learn phrases and strategies that can help you to respond and develop comments in a discussion, especially when offering evidence. These can help you feel more prepared in discussion scenarios.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Using evidence to elevate discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The discussion questions can be changed to suit the interests, curriculum focus or needs of your pupils.
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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.
Which of these do you not need to consider when practicing your discussion skills?
body language
tone of voice
speaking clearly
Correct answer: clear handwriting
Q2.
What should you do if you don't understand something during a discussion?
ignore it and keep talking
Correct answer: ask for clarification or more details
change the topic immediately
pretend you understand and move on
Q3.
Why should you track the speaker during a discussion or presentation?
Correct answer: It is polite.
You can hear them better.
Correct answer: It helps you concentrate on what is being said.
Q4.
Match the key words to the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:respectful,showing consideration and kindness for others' feelings and opinions
tick

showing consideration and kindness for others' feelings and opinions

Correct Answer:productive,achieving a lot or producing good results in an efficient way
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achieving a lot or producing good results in an efficient way

Correct Answer:active listening,fully concentrating, understanding and responding thoughtfully
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fully concentrating, understanding and responding thoughtfully

Correct Answer:open question,a type of question that allows for a wide range of answers
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a type of question that allows for a wide range of answers

Q5.
Laura is involved in a discussion. She is waiting for her turn to speak, but is looking at the floor and only giving one word answers. Choose a WWW and an EBI to give Laura some feedback.
Correct answer: WWW: you waited for your turn to speak
WWW: you made eye contact
Correct answer: EBI: you made eye contact
EBI: you interrupted the speaker
Q6.
Alex is involved in a discussion. He is speaking clearly, but Alex feels very strongly about the topic and keeps interrupting. Choose a WWW and an EBI to give Alex some feedback.
WWW: you interrupted the speaker which creates a respectful environment
Correct answer: WWW: you spoke clearly
EBI: you spoke clearly
Correct answer: EBI: you waited for your turn to speak

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word beginning with 'a' can be described as: 'being based on personal stories or experiences rather than on hard facts or scientific evidence.'?
Correct Answer: anecdotal, anecdote, an anecdote
Q2.
If you are quoting directly from a source or text, this evidence is called ...
anecdotal
Correct answer: textual
speculative
Q3.
If evidence has been verified, it can be described as ...
being based on personal stories or experiences rather than on facts or science.
being based on guesses or ideas rather than solid evidence or facts.
Correct answer: something that has been checked and confirmed to be true, accurate or valid.
relating to texts.
Q4.
Which of these is not an example of a tentative phrase?
could
might
perhaps
Correct answer: undeniably
Q5.
What type of evidence is being used in this sentence: 'More specifically Shakespeare writes "it is the east, and Juliet is the sun" in his play.'?
anecdotal
Correct answer: textual
speculative
unverified
Q6.
What type of evidence is being used in this sentence: 'In my experience mobile phones have played a big part in my social life.'?
Correct answer: anecdotal
textual
speculative
verified