This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals Discussion writing Black and white cards Subject:English Age groups:8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 16, Topic:Non-fiction writing EAL Nexus resource Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. © British Council 2014 Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.

paragraph Discussion: key term

formal language Discussion: key term

present tense Discussion: key term

opinion Discussion: key term

debate Discussion: key term

modal verb Discussion: key term

point of view / viewpoint Discussion: key term

alternate view/ opposing view Discussion: key term

conclusion Discussion: key term

fact Discussion: key term

statistics Discussion: key term

conditional language Discussion: key term

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. Definition

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

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

A judgement or viewpoint on a particular matter Definition

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

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

An opinion on or attitude towards a particular matter Definition

An opinion or attitude which is different from another Definition

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

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

Something known to be true, that can be proved Definition

A fact or piece of data obtained from a large study Definition

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… …________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________. Example

 They argue that it is educational…  Many people believe that it is cruel to…  Others say that it is dangerous to… Examples

 ‘is placed’ rather than ‘put’  ‘elevate’ rather than ‘lift’  ‘manufacture’ rather than ‘make’ Examples

 Modern zoos are designed so that…  People believe that…  Children watch TV whenever… Examples

I think that… I disagree… Example

can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, would… Could you imagine a world without tigers? Examples

 They argue that it is cruel…  Many people believe that it is educational  Others say that it is dangerous to… Examples

 Many people argue that... However others disagree, saying… on the other hand… in contrast… conversely… alternatively… conversely… Example

 In conclusion…  Having considered all the arguments…  Looking at this from both sides… Examples

 The Second World War ended in 1945  Measles in an infectious viral illness Examples

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

 This might be…  One possible reason could be…  It could be argued… It may be that… possibly… probably… Example