Discussion Sentence Starters

To introduce a new idea

• One thing I was thinking about is __________

• I predict that __________

• When I read that __________, I wondered __________

• Something that stood out to me is __________

• I made a connection between __________ and __________

To identify what idea you’re discussing or go back to an earlier idea

• Mark pointed out that __________

• Jamila mentioned that __________

• Andrew, you said earlier that __________

To agree with an idea

• I agree because __________

• Abigail said that __________, and I agree because __________

• Your idea makes sense because __________

To disagree with an idea

• I disagree because __________

• I see your point, but __________

• I interpreted that line differently. I thought __________

To build on an idea

• To build on that point, I also think __________

• Another similar scene is when __________

• Your idea also applies to another part of the novel, when __________

• To go a step further, __________

• I also think that __________

To qualify an idea (agree with part and disagree with part)

• I see your point because __________, but also __________

• I agree with the first part of your analysis, but __________

• I agree that __________, but I disagree that __________

• That’s a valid point, but __________

• I think you’re right in this instance, but evidence from elsewhere suggests __________

To express confusion

• I’m not sure what you mean when you say __________

• Do you mean __________?

• Can you repeat what you just said? I was a bit confused.

To correct a misunderstanding

• I think you might be misreading that scene because __________

• What I thought was happening there was __________