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Year 11
AQA

Strengthening ideas through discussion and debate

I can generate, refine, and organise ideas for a presentation through structured discussion and debate.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

Strengthening ideas through discussion and debate

I can generate, refine, and organise ideas for a presentation through structured discussion and debate.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Being a critical friend means helping others to improve by giving honest feedback in a supportive way.
  2. Being able to articulate the main points of a presentation verbally is good preparation for developing ideas.
  3. Discussion and probing questions can help to refine and develop ideas for a presentation.
  4. When creating a presentation you could consider the time limit, evidence, clarity and structure.
  5. The process of rebuttal can be useful to strengthen arguments or viewpoints in a presentation.

Keywords

  • Articulate - to express thoughts or ideas clearly and effectively

  • Discourse markers - words or phrases that help organise and connect ideas in speech or writing

  • Refine - to improve something by making small changes

  • Rebuttal - a response that argues against or contradicts a statement or claim

Common misconception

Pupils sometimes think they need to write out their whole presention before they deliver it.

It can be much more effective to verbally plan and practice presentations without writing it in full. Approaching the tasks verbally can increase pupil confidence in articulating ideas out loud.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Strengthening ideas through discussion and debate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson requires pair or group work, but could be adapted for individuals if required. For example, in Task A, a pupil could create and answer their own questions.
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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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Is the answer true or false? Finding your authentic voice means it is practiced and rehearsed to perfection.
Correct Answer: false
Q2.
Which of these is an example of a discourse marker?
Correct answer: finally
like
is
are
Q3.
An open question is a question that...
can be answered with a 'yes' or 'no'.
Correct answer: encourages a developed answer.
has a fixed answer.
is irrelevant to the topic at hand.
Q4.
Which word beginning with 'f' can be described as 'a mistake or weakness in something'?
Correct Answer: flaw, flawed, flaws, a flaw
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? When researching for a presentation you should aim to use credible and reliable information from reputable sources.
Correct Answer: true
Q6.
Which definition best describes the word 'unique'?
easy to find or replicate
similar to many others
Correct answer: one of a kind, unlike anything or anyone else
common or ordinary

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term 'critical friend' mean?
someone who only gives positive feedback
Correct answer: someone who helps you improve by giving honest, constructive feedback
someone who criticises without any support or guidance
someone who is indifferent to your progress
Q2.
Which of the following discourse markers would be most appropriate for a final point?
furthermore
initally
however
Correct answer: in conclusion
in addition
Q3.
Which of the following is a benefit of using discourse markers in a presentation?
they make the presentation longer
they are only used in writing
they confuse the audience
Correct answer: they help organise and connect ideas
Q4.
Which is an example of a probing question?
Do you like this topic?
Have you finished the text?
Correct answer: What do you think caused that outcome?
Did you use discourse markers?
Q5.
Which word beginning with 'r' can be described as: 'to improve something by making small changes.'?
Correct Answer: refine, to refine, refined, refining
Q6.
Is the answer true or false? A rebuttal is used to agree with the points made in a presentation or debate.
Correct Answer: false