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Discussion writing

Colour cards

 Subject: English

Age groups: 8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 16, 17 - 18

Topic: Non-fiction writing

EAL Nexus resource

Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.

paragraph

formal language

present tense

opinion

debate

modal verb

point of view / viewpoint

alternate view/

opposing view

conclusion

fact

statistics

conditional

language

A part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences.

Language used when conversational language (such as slang) isn’t suitable. Standard English is used, with correct grammar and punctuation.

A verb tense used to show an action that is happening now

A judgement or viewpoint on a particular matter

A discussion between people where they express different opinions on a particular subject

A type of verb that is mainly used to show how sure we are that something has happened, is happening or will happen.

An opinion on or attitude towards a particular matter

An opinion or attitude which is different from another

The last part of the discussion or argument which shows the writer’s final opinion on the subject

Words or phrases used when we are not sure if something is true

Something known to be true, that can be proved

A fact or piece of data obtained from a large study

There is an important debate going on in school about uniform… _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.The children think that…___________________________________________________________________.______________________________________________The parents think that…__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.In conclusion, it was decided that… …___________________________________________________________________________________________________.

¨ ‘is placed’ rather than ‘put’

¨ ‘elevate’ rather than ‘lift’

¨ ‘manufacture’ rather than ‘make’

¨ Modern zoos are designed so that…

¨ People believe that…

¨ Children watch TV whenever…

¨ They argue that it is cruel…

¨ Many believe that it is educational…

¨ Others say that it is dangerous…

I think that…

I disagree…

can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, would…

Could you imagine a world without tigers?

¨ They argue that it is educational…

¨ Many people believe that it is cruel to…

¨ Others say that it is dangerous to…

¨ Many people argue that... However others disagree, saying…

on the other hand… in contrast… conversely… alternatively… conversely…

¨ In conclusion…¨ Having considered all the arguments…

¨ Looking at this from both sides…

¨ The Second World War ended in 1945

¨ Measles in an infectious viral illness

¨ 98% of cats prefer…¨ When surveyed, most children in primary schools said they did not like vegetables

¨ This might be… ¨ One possible reason could be…

¨ It could be argued… It may be that…

possibly… probably…