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E10 M - Summarise viewpoints using reporting verbs

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Einleitung

E10 M - Summarise viewpoints using reporting verbs

Mini-Beschreibung: Use a small, useful set of reporting verbs — say, explain, add, argue, suggest — to report several viewpoints accurately and briefly. You work mainly in English, understand first, then respond, analyse, communicate, get feedback, revise and transfer the skill to a new context.

Level: English as a first foreign language, Year 10, Baden-Württemberg, M-Niveau, B1-oriented. You work with longer but manageable input, fewer hints and natural standard audio.

Privacy and source rule: All profiles and applications in this course are fictional. Recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless everyone has clearly agreed to sharing. Do not upload other people's voices, personal data or unpublished work. If you use an external AI tool, check its statements and sources and keep your own original draft. Avoid cultural stereotypes; describe only information that the source actually supports.

Learning route

English first → understand → respond → analyse → communicate → feedback → revise → transfer.

I can ...

I can identify a speaker's main viewpoint and reason.
I can choose between say, explain, add, argue and suggest.
I can combine several statements in a short, accurate summary.
I can report ideas in my own words without changing the meaning.
I can respond to feedback and improve my summary.

What you already know

Think of a short discussion you heard recently. What was the main point? Which detail was only extra information? Which sentence was a proposal? You do not need a full translation. Focus on meaning.

Understand: Listening and Viewing

Watch the BBC Learning English lesson. First viewing: listen for the general idea. Second viewing: note only useful reporting verbs and one example for each. Use subtitles only if you need them after the first viewing.

Focus question: Why does the reporting verb matter? It shows how the speaker presents the information: neutrally, as an explanation, as an extra point, as an argument or as a suggestion.

Grammar support: reported speech

This course does not require every rule of reported speech at once. Use the second video when you need support with pronouns, time reference or tense changes.

Read: Five fictional viewpoints

Context: A fictional Year 10 class is discussing a student podcast.

Speaker	Statement
Maya	“A short weekly podcast could help students share useful school news.”
Leo	“We need clear privacy rules because nobody should be recorded without permission.”
Noor	“Episodes should stay under five minutes. Students are more likely to listen.”
Sam	“Different student groups could choose the topic each week.”
Ava	“Students should check every source before publishing. Wrong information can spread quickly.”

Model summary: Maya says a weekly podcast could share school news. Leo explains that clear privacy rules are needed, and Noor adds that short episodes may be easier to follow. Sam suggests letting different student groups choose the topic. Ava argues that students should check sources before publishing.

Understand the model

The summary keeps the main ideas, removes repeated wording and uses the speakers' names so the source of each idea stays clear. It does not copy every sentence. It also chooses a reporting verb that fits the function of the statement.

Analyse: The five reporting verbs

Reporting verb	Best use	Useful pattern
say	neutral information	X says that ...
explain	reason, process or clarification	X explains that ... / X explains why ...
add	an extra point after another point	X adds that ...
argue	a clear position supported by a reason	X argues that ...
suggest	an idea or proposal	X suggests that ... / X suggests doing ...

Do not choose by variety alone. Choose by meaning. A strong-sounding verb is not automatically better.

Functional grammar

For a current summary, present reporting verbs are often natural: Maya says that .... For a past discussion, past forms can fit: Maya said that .... Keep the time frame consistent.

After say, explain, add and argue, a that-clause is useful. That can often be omitted in informal English, but keeping it can make a school summary clearer. With suggest, you can use suggest that + clause or suggest + -ing: Sam suggests that groups choose the topic / Sam suggests letting groups choose the topic.

Change pronouns or time expressions only when the context requires it. The goal is accurate meaning, not mechanical backshifting.

Context vocabulary

Word	Simple meaning
viewpoint	a person's position or opinion
reason	why someone thinks something
evidence	information that supports a point
extra point	additional information
source	where information comes from
accurate	correct and faithful to the source
concise	short but complete
paraphrase	express the same meaning in your own words

Pronunciation and intelligibility

Say the words in short chunks. Stress helps listeners follow your meaning: say, exPLAIN, ADD, ARgue, sugGEST. In a sentence, the speaker's name and key content words usually carry more meaning than that.

Practice: Leo explains | that privacy rules matter. Then: Sam suggests | choosing a new topic each week.

Aim for clear, understandable speech. You do not need to copy a particular accent.

Respond: Quick meaning check

Choose one of the five verbs for each situation.

Situation	Best first choice
A speaker gives neutral information.	say
A speaker gives a reason.	explain
A speaker gives one more point.	add
A speaker defends a position with reasons.	argue
A speaker proposes an action.	suggest

Now change one choice and explain why the new verb would change the meaning.

Communicate: Speaking

Pair task: Student A reads three fictional statements. Student B gives a 30-second summary using at least three suitable reporting verbs. Then switch roles. In round two, react without preparation: So, Maya says ..., while Leo explains ... . Sam suggests ... .

Do not memorise a full script. Listen, select the main point and react.

The video gives extra language for polite disagreement. In your own summary, keep the focus on accurately reporting the viewpoints before you add your response.

Speaking help

Useful starters: Maya says that ... / Leo explains that ... / Noor adds that ... / Ava argues that ... / Sam suggests ....

Useful reaction: I see the point, but ... / That seems reasonable because ... / I would add that ....

Writing: A compact viewpoint summary

Write 80–100 words about the five podcast viewpoints. Use at least three different reporting verbs from the course. Do not use direct quotes. Keep the source clear and combine related ideas.

Suggested structure: topic sentence → two or three grouped viewpoints → final contrasting or additional viewpoint.

Writing target: accuracy first, variety second.

Mediation: report what matters

A German school notice says: „Für den geplanten Schul-Podcast dürfen Stimmen nur mit Zustimmung aufgenommen werden. Beiträge sollen kurz sein. Quellen müssen vor der Veröffentlichung geprüft werden.“

Your fictional English exchange partner asks what matters. Give a short oral explanation in English. Do not translate word for word. Select what the listener needs and use one or two suitable reporting verbs, for example: The notice explains that ... or It adds that ....

Feedback

Give focused feedback on meaning before grammar.

Check	Question
Accuracy	Does the summary keep each speaker's real meaning?
Verb choice	Does each reporting verb fit the function?
Source	Is it clear who says what?
Concision	Are repeated or minor details removed?
Own wording	Is the text mainly paraphrased?
Language	Is the summary understandable and mostly correct?

Feedback sentence: Your main ideas are clear. Check the verb “suggest” in sentence 3 because the source gives a reason, not a proposal.

Revise and analyse errors

Correct these typical problems.

Draft sentence	What to check
Leo suggests that privacy is important because recording needs permission.	Is this really a proposal, or is he explaining a reason?
Noor argues to keep episodes short.	Does argue need a that-clause here?
Sam explains that different groups could choose the topic.	Is Sam explaining, or proposing an idea?
Ava says sources should be checked, sources should be checked before publishing.	Can you remove repetition without losing meaning?

After feedback, revise at least two sentences. Keep your first draft so you can see what changed.

Transfer

Use the same skill with a new input: a short school article, a teacher-approved video, a fictional job interview or a classroom discussion. Identify viewpoints, decide what each statement is doing, choose a reporting verb and summarise. Transfer the result into a report, article, formal or informal email, presentation or fictional application when the task requires it.

For applications, CVs and interview practice, use fictional profiles only. If you record speaking, recording is optional and private by default.

If an AI tool is used, treat its output as a suggestion, not as a source of truth. Check claims against the original material, verify sources and keep your own wording and draft history.

Can-do check

I can ...	Yes	Almost	Not yet
identify the main viewpoint and reason	☐	☐	☐
choose a reporting verb that fits the meaning	☐	☐	☐
combine several viewpoints without copying	☐	☐	☐
speak clearly and react without a full script	☐	☐	☐
use feedback to revise my summary	☐	☐	☐

Baden-Württemberg: current exam connection

Checked on 2 October 2026. For the 2027 Realschulabschluss in Baden-Württemberg, the official communication examination in the compulsory foreign language is planned for 22 February to 2 March 2027; the written English examination is scheduled for 3 May 2027. The official communication criteria for school year 2026/2027 include monologic speaking, dialogic speaking and mediation, with about 15 minutes per student and no preparation time for the three parts. They stress spontaneous, situation-based interaction and meaningful mediation rather than word-for-word translation.

This course therefore practises selecting relevant content, reporting viewpoints clearly, reacting spontaneously and mediating for a purpose.

Official sources: Prüfungszeiten 2027 and Prüfungsmaßstäbe und Dokumente. Curriculum reference: Bildungsplan Sekundarstufe I – Englisch als erste Fremdsprache.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which reporting verb is the most neutral choice? (say) (!argue) (!suggest) (!explain)

Which verb best fits a speaker who gives a reason or clarification? (explain) (!add) (!say) (!suggest)

Which verb best introduces an extra point? (add) (!argue) (!suggest) (!say)

Which verb best fits a clear position supported by reasons? (argue) (!add) (!say) (!suggest)

Which verb best fits a proposal for future action? (suggest) (!explain) (!argue) (!add)

Leo says: We need permission because privacy matters. Which summary best matches the function? (Leo explains that permission is needed because privacy matters.) (!Leo suggests that privacy is a new idea.) (!Leo adds that nobody has an opinion.) (!Leo says that permission is unnecessary.)

Which sentence uses argue correctly? (Ava argues that students should check every source.) (!Ava argues checking every source to.) (!Ava argue that students should check every source.) (!Ava argues students to check every source.)

Which sentence uses suggest correctly? (Sam suggests choosing a new topic each week.) (!Sam suggests to choose a new topic each week.) (!Sam suggest choosing a new topic each week.) (!Sam suggests that choosing to a new topic.)

What is the main goal of a viewpoint summary? (Report the main ideas accurately in your own words.) (!Copy every sentence from the source.) (!Use the strongest reporting verb in every sentence.) (!Translate every detail word for word.)

How should you check an AI-assisted summary? (Compare its claims with the original source.) (!Trust it if the English sounds fluent.) (!Replace your own draft immediately.) (!Ignore the source once the summary is shorter.)

Memory

say	neutral report
explain	reason or clarification
add	extra point
argue	supported position
suggest	proposal
viewpoint	a person's position

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Funktion
say	neutral information
explain	reason or clarification
add	extra information
argue	supported position
suggest	proposal or idea

Kreuzworträtsel

summary	What do you call a short text that gives the main ideas?
viewpoint	What word means a person's position or opinion?
explain	Which reporting verb often introduces a reason?
suggest	Which reporting verb often introduces a proposal?
source	What should you check to verify where information comes from?
paraphrase	What verb means to express the same idea in your own words?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Verb cards: Create five small cards for say, explain, add, argue and suggest. Add one original fictional example to each card.
Spot the viewpoint: Read a short class discussion and underline only each speaker's main point and reason.
Five-sentence summary: Turn five fictional quotes into five indirect sentences without copying the wording.
Private speaking practice: Read a 30-second summary aloud. Recording is optional and stays private unless you decide otherwise.

Standard

Fictional interview: In pairs, role-play a short interview with fictional profiles. Afterward, summarise your partner's answers with at least three reporting verbs.
One-paragraph summary: Write 80–100 words that combine at least four viewpoints and show one contrast.
Source check: Compare a short summary with its source and mark one accurate paraphrase, one missing idea and one changed meaning.
Purpose-based mediation: Explain a short German school notice to a fictional English-speaking visitor. Select only the relevant information.

Schwer

Multi-source synthesis: Use two short teacher-approved sources on the same school issue and write one 100-word synthesis that keeps the sources separate.
Live discussion: Discuss a fictional school decision for three minutes, then give a 45-second spontaneous summary of the different viewpoints.
Revision log: Revise a first draft after peer feedback and annotate three changes: meaning, verb choice and concision.
Micro-lesson: Create a two-minute mini-lesson on one reporting verb using a freely licensed image and a checked source. Do not upload classmates' work or personal data.

Lernkontrolle

Verb choice in context: You receive five new fictional statements. Choose a reporting verb for each and justify why it fits the speaker's purpose.
Condense without distortion: Reduce a 180-word fictional discussion to 80–100 words while preserving at least three different viewpoints and one disagreement.
Detect bias: Compare an original discussion with a biased summary. Identify two places where the writer changes the strength or meaning of a viewpoint and revise them.
Mediate for an audience: Give an English explanation of a short German school message for a fictional exchange student. Explain which details you omitted and why.
Spontaneous response: Listen to a partner's summary, restate one viewpoint with a suitable reporting verb and respond with your own reasoned comment.
Check assisted writing: Evaluate an AI-assisted or teacher-provided sample against the original source. Keep only claims that can be verified and rewrite one unclear sentence in your own words.

Lernnachweis

For a strong learning record, show that you can do the following:

Meaning: Identify main viewpoints, reasons and proposals correctly.
Verb choice: Use say, explain, add, argue and suggest according to context.
Own wording: Summarise without copying full sentences.
Oral communication: Give a clear short summary and react to a question.
Written communication: Produce a concise 80–100 word summary with clear source references.
Revision: Keep a first draft, use feedback and show what you improved.
Source checking: Verify claims and sources, including AI-assisted suggestions.
Responsible media use: Use fictional profiles, keep recordings voluntary/private and share nothing without permission.

OERs zum Thema

The Wikimedia Commons files used above are freely licensed or in the public domain; the individual file pages show the exact licence. The BBC Learning English videos are embedded from YouTube and remain with their rights holders.

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Englisch Klasse 10

Folgekurs

Continue with E10 M - Compare viewpoints and respond spontaneously. Transfer the reporting verbs into a short discussion, a presentation response and a source-based paragraph.

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