Standpoints: Check your work
So, you’ve created your Standpoints in class with your teacher. Now what?
Check your work one last time against the following success criteria:
Please note, Standpoints that do not meet this criteria may not be published on the Student Hub.
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Does your Standpoint answer one of the questions from the Standpoint lesson?
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Are your points made in a logical order?
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Have you used appropriate vocabulary? For example, the keywords from the lesson?
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Have you used reliable facts and examples to support your opinions? For example, from the lesson or from topic experts?
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If you did your own research, did you check your facts are from reliable sources?
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Have you explained alternative opinions and said why you agree or disagree with them? For example, from other students on the Hub?
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Have you made clear what is fact and what is your opinion?
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Is your Standpoint under 400 words (for written entries) or two minutes (for audio or video entries)?
Help other students
In the comments below let us know what tips you have for making a successful Standpoint.
For example, did you find any useful facts that other students could use?
Or how might people spot a reliable source from an unreliable source?
Comments (4)
One important tip for making a strong standpoint is to clearly answer the main question from the lesson. Stay focused on the topic and make sure every paragraph links back to it. It also helps to organize your ideas in a logical order. For example, start with your main opinion, then give reasons and evidence and finally explain why you disagree with other viewpoints.
Another useful tip is to use reliable facts to support your opinion. Facts from trusted news websites, experts, or official organizations are usually more reliable than random social media posts. You can spot a reliable source by checking who wrote it, whether it includes evidence, and if other trustworthy websites share the same information. Also, remember to clearly show what is your opinion (for example, "I believe" or "in my view") and what is a fact.
Finally, keep your standpoint clear and concise. Use keywords from the lesson and make sure your work is under 400 words. Before submitting, read it again to check your grammar and spelling. A well-structured, balanced and evidence-based standpoint is much more likely to be successful.
I think that the best topic is “lowering the voting age within the Uk”, from going the age 18 to 16, in my opinion, many individuals have different views on what should be the legal age to vote, but this is controversial because some people may argue that young people today may not be politically aware of what is going on in society today.
Firstly, lowering the voting age would make democracy in the Uk more inclusive and representative for the younger generation, because individuals between the ages of 16-17 are still affected, this would be due down to the government decisions on their education, apprenticeships and taxation (when they work), from this they should have a say in what they think is best for their future and in what manner in how they work.
However, that 16-year-olds still must rely on parental consent to do activities, such as joining the armed forces and making decisions within their education (consensual parental forms), as well as this some political views may state that 16 year olds aren't old enough to vote because they aren't aware of what is going on in their surroundings, or might get fully false information on not trusted websites (society), just to make a decision in what they believe in because their decisions could be unjust and unserious to real world decisions to be made.
Overall, people of the age of 16 should vote because they are classified as adults in different parts of the society (NHS), so why would voting be an issue if they are inputting government spending of, their opinion should be valid.
During the Standpoints activity, I learned how important it is to express my ideas clearly while also listening carefully to the opinions of others. Working with my classmates helped me understand that people can look at the same issue from different perspectives depending on their experiences and knowledge. Checking my work allowed me to make sure that my standpoint was clear, supported by strong reasons, and explained in a logical way. I also realised that giving examples and evidence makes an argument more convincing and easier for others to understand.
Another important part of this activity was learning how to discuss respectfully, even when we disagreed. Instead of trying to prove others wrong, we focused on understanding different viewpoints and building thoughtful discussions together. This helped create a positive learning environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas. I also reflected on how my thinking developed during the discussion, because hearing new opinions sometimes made me reconsider or improve my own standpoint.
Overall, the Standpoints activity helped me improve my communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. By checking my work against the success criteria, I was able to identify what I did well and what I could improve next time, such as giving clearer explanations and considering more perspectives. This experience showed me that learning is not only about having the right answer, but also about thinking deeply, listening respectfully, and explaining ideas confidently.
When creating a strong Standpoint, it is important to connect several success criteria rather than treating them separately. For example, presenting points in a logical order helps your argument flow naturally, making it easier to distinguish between fact and opinion. Using reliable facts from trusted sources not only supports your own viewpoint but also allows you to evaluate alternative opinions more effectively. Checking that your sources are accurate ensures that your reasoning is credible, while incorporating lesson keywords and precise vocabulary strengthens clarity. By combining clear structure, evidence, and careful evaluation of other perspectives, a Standpoint becomes both persuasive and balanced. Paying attention to these linked elements ensures that your work is not only under the word limit but also demonstrates critical thinking and thoughtful reflection.