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Read like a fact-checker: despite vs in spite of, however and nevertheless

This B2 ESL lesson plan teaches despite vs in spite of, with however, through lateral reading, the habit that helped fact-checkers judge websites.

Grammar
Despite or in spite of + a noun or -ing (Despite their training, many historians stayed on the page.), despite the fact that + clause, and However, Nevertheless or Even so between sentences.
Topic
A 2017 Stanford study of how historians, students and fact-checkers judge websites, and three viral myths, with words such as verify, credible, bias and context.
Activities
An explainer to read, an office argument and a student's voice memo to hear, self-checking drills, a chat that checks two claims, steps to order and a findings report.

What's inside

  1. Chapter 1Warm-up: who do you believe?

    • PictureUnlock
    • Spin the wheel and answerSpin the wheelUnlock
    • Study the words: reading like a proVocabularyTry it
    • Look at the pictures and choose the wordChoose by pictureUnlock

  2. Chapter 2Leave the page to judge the page

    • Look at the picture: a desk full of sourcesPictureUnlock
    • Read Leona's explainer on The Why DeskArticleUnlock
    • Read and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
    • Read again and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock
    • Match the paragraphs and the headingsMatchUnlock

  3. Chapter 3A gorgeous chart with one problem

    • Listen to Leona and IsaiahListeningTry it
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock
    • Listen to the Reader's Rebuttal: Darlene's voice memoListeningUnlock
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock

  4. Chapter 4Grammar: Despite the nice design…

    • Study the scheme: despite, in spite of, howeverGrammar schemeTry it
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: use the words in bracketsFill in the gapsTry it
    • Choose the correct answer: which sentence is correct?QuizUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct orderUnjumbleUnlock
    • Drag the words into the gaps: Leona's notes on the chartDrag and dropUnlock

  5. Chapter 5Let's talk: three claims, one minute each

    • Choose the right replies: check Horatio's claimsChatTry it
    • Put the steps in the correct order: check a viral claimDrag and dropUnlock
    • Sort the claims into the correct columns: true, false or unclear?Sort into columnsUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: our findings reportChoose the optionUnlock
    • Open a box and answer: check a claim in classOpen the boxUnlock

  6. Chapter 6Homework

    • Match the words and the meaningsMatchUnlock
    • Unscramble the wordsAnagramUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps with the lesson's wordsFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: new sentencesChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the table: despite + -ing or although + past simple?Fill in the tableUnlock
    • Choose the correct answer: which word fits?QuizUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct order: new sentencesUnjumbleUnlock
    • Drag the words into the gaps: Leona answers DarleneDrag and dropUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: Isaiah's findings reportChoose the optionUnlock

35 exercises in 6 chapters. Start a 7-day free trial to open all of them, copy any part into your own lessons, and teach the lesson live.

Vocabulary

12 words and phrases from the lesson, each with a picture and audio in edio.

+9 more with pictures and audio in the lessonMore words

  • credible
  • bias
  • lateral reading
  • accurate
  • context
  • verdict
  • echolocation
  • axis
  • findings

Grammar: linkers of contrast: despite, in spite of, however and even so

Although needs a clause, but these linkers work differently: despite and in spite of take a noun or an -ing form inside one sentence, and however, nevertheless and even so start a second sentence. With fact-checkers who read less yet learned more, learners check what comes right after the linker and punctuate to match.

Despite its nice design, the chart was wrong. However, thousands of people shared it.

Show a contrast inside one sentence with despite or in spite of + a noun or -ing, or between two sentences with however, nevertheless or even so.

Despite and in spite of + a noun or -ing

Both mean the same and take a noun or an -ing form: Despite the nice design, the chart was wrong. In spite of being experts, many historians stayed on the page. For a full clause, add the fact that: Despite the fact that the group was small…

LinkerWhat comes after itExample
despitea nounDespite the nice design, the chart was wrong.
despitean -ing formDespite spending less time on each page, fact-checkers learned more.
in spite ofa noun or an -ing form (the same as despite)In spite of being experts, many historians stayed on the page.
despite the fact thata clause: subject + verbDespite the fact that the group was small, its findings are interesting.
despite that / in spite of thata comma, then the new idea (that = the sentence before)The post had many likes. In spite of that, it was false.

However, nevertheless and even so

These link two sentences, with a period or a semicolon before and a comma after: The chart looked great. However, it was wrong. However can also sit after the subject: The study, however, was small. Nevertheless is a little formal, and even so is common in speech.

LinkerWhere it goesExample
However,at the start of the second sentence, + a commaThe chart looked great. However, it was wrong.
, however,after the subject, between two commasThe study, however, was small.
; however,after a semicolon, in one long sentenceThe site looked credible; however, it was misleading.
Nevertheless,at the start, + a comma; a little formalFact-checkers read less. Nevertheless, they learned more.
Even so,at the start, + a comma; common in speechIt takes a minute. Even so, it's worth it.

Although or despite?

One idea fits both, but the grammar after them differs: Although the chart looked great, it was wrong. Despite its great design, the chart was wrong. A subject and a verb need although; a noun or an -ing form needs despite.

although / even though + a clause

  • Although the chart looked great, it was wrong.
  • Even though she was tired, she checked it.

despite / in spite of + a noun or -ing

  • Despite its great design, the chart was wrong.
  • In spite of being tired, she checked it.

Despite, not despite of; even so, not even though

Say despite or in spite of, never despite of or in spite the. Even so means “despite that” and starts a sentence, while even though needs a clause, like although. However never takes a noun: not However of the rain.

Despite, or in spite of

Say despite or in spite of, never despite of or in spite the. After them, use a noun or an -ing form, not a clause. Not: Despite it was hard. Say: Although it was hard, or Despite the fact that it was hard.

However starts a new sentence

However, nevertheless and even so link two sentences: a period or a semicolon before, a comma after. They never take a noun (not: However of the rain) and never join two clauses alone (not: It was late nevertheless we went). Even so = despite that; even though + clause = although. However + adjective (However hard you try…) is different: it means no matter how.

Common mistakes

Four slips: Despite of the nice design, In spite the rain, a clause after despite (Despite it was hard, she finished) and nevertheless joining two clauses with no punctuation. A period before Nevertheless, a comma after it.

  • Despite of the nice design, the chart was wrong.

    Despite the nice design, the chart was wrong.

    despite has no of

  • In spite the rain, we went out.

    In spite of the rain, we went out.

    in spite of: always with of

  • Despite it was hard, she finished.

    Although it was hard, she finished.

    a clause after although; a noun or -ing after despite

  • The chart looked great nevertheless it was wrong.

    The chart looked great. Nevertheless, it was wrong.

    a period or a semicolon before, a comma after

At The Why Desk

  • Despite their training, many historians stayed on the page.
  • In spite of their skill, many readers were influenced by a nice logo.
  • Despite spending less time on each page, fact-checkers learned more.
  • The group was small. However, the team chose its members on purpose.
  • Fact-checkers read less. Nevertheless, they reached better-supported conclusions.
  • It takes a minute to check a claim. Even so, many people don't.

More lessons on this grammar: Linking words lessons and exercises

Try the despite and in spite of exercises

Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.

More exercises

What's in the lesson

  • 21 auto-checked exercises
  • 5 games
  • 1 article
  • 1 grammar scheme
  • 1 set of word cards
  • 2 audio clips
  • 2 pictures
  • 2 transcripts

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

  • use despite or in spite of + a noun: Despite the nice design, the chart was wrong.
  • use them with an -ing form or with the fact that: Despite spending less time on each page, fact-checkers learned more.
  • link two sentences with However, Nevertheless or Even so and the right punctuation: Fact-checkers read less. Nevertheless, they learned more.
  • tell although + a clause from despite + a noun: Although it was hard, she finished, not Despite it was hard
  • check a viral claim and report it: Lots of people believe it. However, the National Weather Service says lightning often strikes the same place again and again.

Lesson 15 is the third lesson of News and truth, unit 4 of English B2.2 · Culture and Society. Lesson 13 linked clauses with although and even though; this lesson adds the linkers that take a noun or an -ing form, or start a new sentence. Lesson 16 closes the unit with He is said to have… A study in which historians stayed on the page while fact-checkers read less yet learned more is full of contrasts.

Students spin a wheel of questions about news and sharing, then learn twelve words, from verify and skim to echolocation and axis, with pictures and audio. They read Leona's explainer on the Stanford study, then hear Leona check Isaiah's viral chart and Darlene, a college senior, argue that students do better than the study suggests; both are AI-voiced. The grammar chapter has the scheme and five self-checking drills, among them a drag-and-drop of Leona's notes on the chart. The speaking chapter is a task: a chat that checks Horatio's claims about lightning and bats, checking steps to order, claims to sort as true, false or unclear, a findings report and question boxes.

All nine homework tasks check themselves: a match, an anagram and gaps with the lesson's words; then linker choices in new sentences, a table of despite + -ing against although + past simple, a quiz on which word fits and word order; then Leona's answer to Darlene with words to drag in and Isaiah's findings report on his chart.

Grammar:
despite · in spite of · however · nevertheless · even so · linkers of contrast
Topic:
fact-checking · lateral reading · the 2017 Stanford study · judging websites · viral claims · news and truth · The Why Desk

Teaching tips

  • Write one idea three ways on the board: Although the chart looked great, it was wrong. Despite its great design, the chart was wrong. The chart looked great. However, it was wrong. Students say what follows each linker.
  • Ask how students check a website before the reading, and list their ideas. After the explainer, they sort the list into two groups: reading on the page and leaving the page.
  • Give each pair one of the three claims and a minute to check it in a new tab. Pairs report back with Despite… or However, …, then compare their verdict with the findings report in the speaking chapter.
  • Collect every linker in the office argument: Despite the nice colors, In spite of all the snow, However, you got lucky, Even so, Nevertheless. Students note what comes right after each one.

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The whole course: English B2.2 · Culture and Society

32 more lessons for adults at B2 in American English, with the same Why Desk team in Pittsburgh. Each lesson answers one question about how Americans learn, work, travel and remember, from the law behind the 40-hour week to the oral histories of StoryCorps. Learners link ideas in formal writing, report what is said and believed, and pack more into a sentence with participle and relative clauses. The practice exercises check themselves.See the course

  1. Unit 1 Learning reimagined

    adjective suffixes and negative prefixes, mixed conditionals, provided that and on condition that

    1. Lesson 1College for farmers' kids?Adjective suffixes and negative prefixes
    2. Lesson 2One cousin, one video, millions of learnersMixed conditionals: a past cause, a result now
    3. Lesson 3A college that says yesConditional linkers: provided that, on condition that, assuming, otherwise
    4. Lesson 4School in the woodsMixed conditionals: a present state, a past result

  2. Unit 2 Work-life balance

    be required to and be entitled to, present and perfect participle clauses, participle clauses after conjunctions

    1. Lesson 5Who decided a week is 40 hours?Formal rules: be required to, be entitled to, be exempt from
    2. Lesson 6A paid year off: rest or research?Present participle clauses for time and reason
    3. Lesson 7Was the coffee break born in Wisconsin?Perfect participle clauses: having done and having been done
    4. Lesson 8Why is the first Monday of September a day off?Participle phrases after conjunctions

  3. Unit 3 Turning points

    reduced relative clauses, preposition + which and whom, which for a whole clause, noun + preposition

    1. Lesson 9The keyboard that opened the officeReduced relative clauses: -ing and the past participle
    2. Lesson 10Earthrise: the photo that changed how we see EarthPreposition + which and whom
    3. Lesson 11A city of white palaces for six monthsSentence relative clauses: which for a whole clause
    4. Lesson 12The count that took eight years?Noun + preposition: a need for, a solution to, access to

  4. Unit 4 News and truth

    although, whereas and while, the impersonal passive, despite and however, is said to have

    1. Lesson 13A newspaper of their ownLinkers of contrast: although, even though, whereas and while
    2. Lesson 14Bat-people on the Moon?The impersonal passive: It is said that…
    3. Lesson 15 · you're hereRead like a fact-checkerLinkers of contrast: despite, in spite of, however and even so
    4. Lesson 16Did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree?Passive reporting verbs: is said to have done

  5. Unit 5 Travel that gives back

    so as to, in order to and so that, modifying comparatives, linkers of reason and result, verb + object + preposition + -ing

    1. Lesson 17Seven rules for the wild?Linkers of purpose: to, in order to, so as to, so that
    2. Lesson 18A lottery to see firefliesModifying comparatives and superlatives
    3. Lesson 19Sunrise with the turtlesLinkers of reason and result
    4. Lesson 20Volunteer on vacation?Verb + object + preposition + -ing

  6. Unit 6 Sport and society

    verb + noun collocations, what phrasal verb particles mean, a for-and-against essay, nouns from phrasal verbs

    1. Lesson 21The college team that changed disability sportVerb + noun collocations
    2. Lesson 22When women played pro baseballPhrasal verbs: what the particles mean
    3. Lesson 23Who needs a referee?The for and against essay: plan and linkers
    4. Lesson 24The comeback of Jim ThorpeNouns from phrasal verbs

  7. Unit 7 Buildings and heritage

    past participle clauses, quantifier + of which and of whom, report language, turn out and prove

    1. Lesson 25Homes built into the cliffsPast participle clauses with a passive meaning
    2. Lesson 26A house over a waterfallQuantifier + of which and of whom
    3. Lesson 27From factory to art museumReport language: headings, impersonal style, recommendations
    4. Lesson 28The towers the city tried to pull downTurn out and prove + to-infinitive or that clause

  8. Unit 8 Generations

    adverb + adjective collocations, three-part phrasal verbs, negative and echo questions, prepositional phrases

    1. Lesson 29Who decides where a generation ends?Adverb + adjective collocations
    2. Lesson 30Music students living in a retirement home?Three-part phrasal verbs
    3. Lesson 31Conversations kept for historyNegative questions and echo questions
    4. Lesson 32A day for grandparentsFixed prepositional phrases

Questions about this lesson

What's the difference between despite and in spite of?
They mean the same thing: both show a contrast and take a noun or an -ing form. Despite the nice design, the chart was wrong. In spite of being experts, many historians stayed on the page. The only difference is the form: in spite of always has of, and despite never does. The B2 lesson Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai teaches both with a 2017 Stanford study.
How do you use in spite of in a sentence?
Put a noun or an -ing form after in spite of, with a comma after the phrase when it opens the sentence: In spite of their skill, many readers were influenced by a nice logo. In spite of being so popular, the claim is a myth. Before a subject and a verb, use in spite of the fact that. In spite of that, points back to the sentence before. Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai shows all three.
Is it “despite of” or “despite”?
It's despite, with no of: Despite the rain, my cousin went for a run. The mirror mistake is in spite the rain, which needs of: in spite of the rain. A clause after either one is wrong too: say Although it was hard, not Despite it was hard. A quiz in Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai asks which sentence is correct, with these slips as the wrong options.
What's the difference between despite and although?
They show the same contrast, but the grammar after them is different. Although takes a clause with a subject and a verb: Although the chart looked great, it was wrong. Despite takes a noun or an -ing form: Despite its great design, the chart was wrong. Despite the fact that + clause bridges the two. In edio.ai's B2.2 course, although comes in lesson 13 and despite in lesson 15, Read like a fact-checker.
How do you use however, nevertheless and even so?
They link two sentences, with a period or a semicolon before and a comma after. Fact-checkers read less. Nevertheless, they learned more. The site looked credible; even so, nobody knew who ran it. However can also sit after the subject: The study, however, watched only 45 people. None of them joins two clauses without punctuation. The scheme in Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai shows each position.
What is lateral reading?
Lateral reading means leaving a website to judge it: you skim the page, then open new tabs to find out who is behind it and what other sources say. Stanford researchers Sam Wineburg and Sarah McGrew described it in a 2017 report, after watching professional fact-checkers at work. Reading one page closely from top to bottom is vertical reading. Leona's explainer in Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai compares the two.
What did the Stanford fact-checker study find?
In October 2017, the Stanford History Education Group reported on 45 people: 10 historians, 10 professional fact-checkers and 25 Stanford undergraduates. On tasks such as judging two websites on children's health, the fact-checkers were the fastest and most accurate. Many historians and students stayed on the page, while the fact-checkers left it. The group was small and chosen on purpose, so Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai treats it as one study, not the final word.
How do I teach despite and in spite of to B2 students?
Start from although, which students already know, and change what follows it: Although she was tired becomes In spite of being tired. Then add the fact that for full clauses, and only then However, between sentences. Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai follows that path, with a scheme that sets although beside despite and a homework table that turns despite + -ing into although + past simple.
What's a good game for practicing however and despite?
Play a “Yes, but…” chain: one student gives a fact (The hotel looked great online.), the next adds a contrast that starts with However, Even so or Despite that and a comma, and the next starts a new fact. A wrong linker or a missing comma sends the chain back to the start. In Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai, one of the boxes asks students to tell a partner their findings with despite and however.
What's good homework for despite and however?
Good homework has students say one idea two ways: Despite skimming the article… and Although she skimmed the article…, plus linker choices, a quiz on which word fits and word order. All nine homework tasks in Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai check themselves, ending with Leona's answer to Darlene and Isaiah's findings report on his chart.
How do you practice despite and however one-to-one?
Fact-check one viral claim together: the student opens a new tab, finds two sources and reports back with Despite… and However, … Then the teacher brings a claim and the student questions it. The chat in Read like a fact-checker on edio.ai works without a partner: Horatio wants to share posts about lightning and bats, and the student checks them first.
Are there interactive exercises for despite and in spite of?
Yes. Without an account, this page plays three parts of Read like a fact-checker, a B2 lesson on edio.ai: the office argument over a viral chart, a gap-fill that asks for -ing or a full verb and Horatio's chat about two viral claims. The rest needs an account.
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