Speak Up! How to Share Your Opinion and Listen to Others
Over 2,400 years ago in Athens, Greece, a man named Socrates walked through the city asking people questions and listening very carefully to their answers. He believed that talking things through — even when people disagreed — was the best way to find the truth. Today, scientists, judges, kids on school councils, and even presidents use those same ideas! Sharing your opinion clearly and truly listening to others is one of the most powerful skills in the world.
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will: - Learn the difference between an opinion and a reason - Practice sharing your opinion with kind, clear words - Discover how to listen so the other person feels heard - Try a simple two-sided mini debate with a partner
Opinions and Reasons
An OPINION is what you think or feel. I think dogs are better pets than cats is an opinion. A REASON is WHY you think something. I think dogs are better pets because they learn tricks and play fetch with you — that adds a reason to the same opinion. Good debaters always give a REASON for their opinion. Without a reason, it is hard for others to understand your thinking. Here is the magic formula: I think ___ because ___. Try it: I think recess should be longer BECAUSE kids focus better in class after running around outside. That is a strong opinion with a reason!
How to Share Your Opinion Kindly
You can have a strong opinion AND be kind at the same time. Here are words that help: SAY: I think... or In my opinion... — these signal that you are sharing a view, not stating a proven fact. SAY: I respectfully disagree because... — if you disagree with someone, start with respect. NEVER SAY: You are wrong! or That is a dumb idea. — these phrases shut down the conversation and hurt feelings. Kind debaters disagree with the IDEA without being mean to the PERSON. This is called attacking the argument, not the person.
When someone else is talking, your job is to LISTEN — not to think about what you will say next. Look at their face, nod, and wait until they are completely finished. Great listeners notice details that weak listeners miss, and that helps them make better arguments later!
Two Sides of Every Debate
Every debate has at least TWO sides. One side says YES — called the PRO side. One side says NO — called the CON side. Example debate: Should our class have a class pet? PRO side: Yes! A class pet teaches us responsibility and makes school more fun. CON side: No! A class pet needs a lot of care, and some kids might be allergic. Both sides have REASONS. Neither side is being mean. After hearing both sides, your class can think carefully and make a decision together. In a real debate, each person gets equal time to speak. Then the audience decides which reasons were most convincing.
A student says: Summer vacation should be longer. Which response adds a REASON?
Sort each phrase — is it GOOD DEBATE LANGUAGE or NOT OKAY?
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
During a class debate, your partner is still talking. What should you do?
Mini Debate: Should Our School Serve Chocolate Milk at Lunch?
Find a partner. Flip a coin — heads means you argue PRO (yes to chocolate milk), tails means you argue CON (no to chocolate milk). Even if it is not your real opinion, try your best to come up with TWO reasons for your side. Take turns: each person gets 30 seconds to share their opinion and reasons using these starters: I think... because... and I respectfully disagree because... After the debate, talk together: Which reasons were most convincing? Did the debate change your thinking at all?
Want to keep learning?
Sign up for free to access the full curriculum — all subjects, all ages.
Start Learning Free