Two Opposing Points

Worksheet Description

This worksheet, titled “Textual Evidence,” is designed to enhance students’ critical thinking and argumentative writing skills by focusing on the analysis of differing perspectives within a text. The top of the worksheet has a space allocated for the student’s name, fostering a sense of individual ownership and responsibility for the work. The instructions prompt students to reflect on a text they have read that presents two opposing points of view on an issue, and to decide which position they believe is more convincing.

Students are asked to articulate which point of view they support and to explain their reasoning. They must then bolster their argument by citing specific evidence from the text. This exercise encourages students to engage deeply with the material, to form a substantiated opinion, and to practice justifying their viewpoints with direct references to the source. The worksheet provides lined space for writing, guiding students through the process of constructing a coherent and persuasive argument based on textual analysis. This methodical approach is crucial for developing the skills necessary to navigate complex information and articulate well-supported positions in academic writing.