Ms.

Braun, Journalism
Binder: NOTES

Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: ________

ACADEMIC SENTENCE STARTERS

DIRECTIONS: Whenever you are discussing literature or another academic topic whether in
class during whole-group discussions, group work, or think-pair-share; at home while you are
completing your homework; or on a Saturday during your book club seminars use the following
academic sentence starters to increase the quality of your discussion and statement.
SENTENCE STARTERS:
TO MAKE A CLAIM:
I believe _____ because _____.
In my opinion, I think that _____ because _____.
Based on the fact that _____, I believe that _____.
TO AGREE OR TO ADD ON:
Building on what _____ said, I think that _____.
Id like to add to what _____ said: _____.
I agree with _____ because _____.
TO CLARIFY:
Can you please clarify your claim that _____?
Could you please say more about _____?
TO DISAGREE:
Thats a valid point, but I think that _____.
I have to politely disagree with _____ because _____.

Ms. Braun, Journalism

Binder: NOTES

Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: ________
ACADEMIC SENTENCE STARTERS

DIRECTIONS: Whenever you are discussing literature or another academic topic whether in class
during whole-group discussions, group work, or think-pair-share; at home while you are completing your
homework; or on a Saturday during your book club seminars use the following academic sentence
starters to increase the quality of your discussion and statement.
SENTENCE STARTERS:
TO AGREE OR TO ADD ON:

Adding on to what _____ said, I think that _____.

Building on what _____ said, I think that _____.
Id like to add to what _____ said: _____.
Just as _____ stated, _____.
I agree with _____ because _____.

TO BACK UP YOUR CLAIM:

The evidence to justify my claim is _____.

It should be clear to everyone that _____ because _____.
It is indisputable (undeniable) that _____ because _____.
No one could possibly doubt that _____ because _____.

TO CLARIFY:

Can you please clarify your claim that _____?

Could you please say more about _____?
What exactly do you mean by _____?
What textual evidence do you have to support your claim that _____.

TO DISAGREE:

How could you believe _____ when _____?

Thats a valid point, but I think that _____.
I have to politely disagree with _____ because _____.