Authority Check

Worksheet Description

This worksheet helps students compare two arguments by examining the people behind them and the evidence they provide. Students identify who is making each argument, what authority or expertise supports their position, and where their evidence comes from. The organizer also asks learners to consider counterarguments, implications, and overall effectiveness. By focusing on the source as well as the message, students learn to think critically about credibility and persuasion.

Completing this activity strengthens students’ ability to evaluate information rather than accept it at face value. They learn how expertise, evidence quality, and reasoning contribute to a strong argument. The worksheet encourages thoughtful analysis of different perspectives and helps students recognize bias or unsupported claims. These skills are valuable for research, media literacy, academic writing, and everyday decision-making.

This worksheet is part of our comparing arguments worksheet series.