Instructions
- Read the introduction in Part 1 to understand the difference between supporting and challenging ideas.
- Complete the matching activity to test your knowledge of helpful sentence starters.
- In Part 2, carefully read the short article. Use the skills you learned to write responses that both support and challenge the author's points.
- Apply your skills to everyday situations in Part 3: Real-World Scenarios.
- For an extra challenge, try the Challenge Quest at the end.
- Check your work against the Answer Key.
Part 1: The Discussion Toolbox
In any good discussion, people don't just state their own opinions. They listen and respond to what others have said. Two of the most powerful ways to respond are by supporting an idea or challenging it. This worksheet will help you become a pro at both.
- Supporting an Idea: This is when you agree with a point and build on it. You can add more evidence, share a personal experience that confirms the idea, or explain why you think it's a strong point.
- Challenging an Idea: This is when you disagree with a point, but in a thoughtful way. You can question the evidence, offer an alternative perspective, or point out a potential flaw in the logic. The goal is to deepen the discussion, not just to argue.
Activity: Match the Sentence Starter
Match the sentence starter on the left with its purpose on the right. Write the correct letter (A or B) in the blank space.
A) Support B) Challenge
| ____ | 1. "I see your point, but have you considered...?" |
| ____ | 2. "I agree with the author's point about ____ because..." |
| ____ | 3. "That's a valid point, and to add to that..." |
| ____ | 4. "I'm not sure I agree with that conclusion. What if...?" |
| ____ | 5. "The evidence the author uses seems strong, especially when they mention..." |
| ____ | 6. "On the other hand, the text doesn't seem to address the issue of..." |
Part 2: Putting It Into Practice
Read the short opinion article below. Then, complete the tasks that follow.
Time to Power Down: Why Schools Need to Be Phone-Free Zones
The debate over smartphones in schools is over. To create a true learning environment, they must be banned completely during school hours. The constant notifications are a massive distraction, pulling students' attention away from lessons and discussions. Research has shown that the mere presence of a phone on a desk can lower a student's focus and academic performance.
Furthermore, smartphones in schools can increase social pressure and cyberbullying. Students are more worried about their online image than their classwork. By removing phones, we allow students to develop face-to-face social skills and build a stronger, more present school community. It's time to put learning first and distractions away.
Task A: Support the Author
Write 1-2 sentences supporting the author's argument that phones should be banned. Use a sentence starter from your "Toolbox" and mention a specific idea from the text.
Your Response:
Task B: Challenge the Author
Write 1-2 sentences challenging the author's argument. You could question their reasoning or suggest an alternative view. Use a challenging sentence starter from your "Toolbox."
Your Response:
Part 3: Real-World Scenarios
Think about how you would use these skills in your own life. Write a short response for each scenario.
Scenario 1: The Movie Review
You and a friend just saw a new superhero movie. Your friend says, "That was the worst movie I've ever seen. The special effects were so fake." You actually enjoyed the movie.
How would you respectfully challenge their opinion without starting an argument?
Your Response:
Scenario 2: The Group Project
You are in a science group discussing climate change. A group member says, "There's no point in us recycling. Big companies are the only real problem." You think individual actions are also important.
How would you support the part of their idea you agree with, while also challenging the part you don't?
Your Response:
â Challenge Quest â
The article in Part 2 makes a clear argument. But what does it imply without saying it directly? An "implied meaning" is an idea that is suggested, not stated.
One implied idea in the text might be that "students can't be trusted to use technology responsibly."
Your Task: Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) that challenges this implied idea. Argue that students can be responsible or that banning phones is not the right solution.
Your Response:
Answer Key
Note: For open-ended questions, your answers may vary. These are examples of strong responses.
Part 1: Match the Sentence Starter
- B - "I see your point, but have you considered...?" (Challenge)
- A - "I agree with the author's point about ____ because..." (Support)
- A - "That's a valid point, and to add to that..." (Support)
- B - "I'm not sure I agree with that conclusion. What if...?" (Challenge)
- A - "The evidence the author uses seems strong, especially when they mention..." (Support)
- B - "On the other hand, the text doesn't seem to address the issue of..." (Challenge)
Part 2: Putting It Into Practice
Task A: Support the Author (Example Answer)
"I agree with the author's point about phones being a distraction because it's true that notifications are designed to grab your attention. When the author says a phone's presence can lower focus, it makes sense, as you might always be wondering if you've missed a message."
Task B: Challenge the Author (Example Answer)
"I see the author's point about distraction, but have they considered that smartphones can also be powerful learning tools? For example, students could use them for quick research or to access educational apps, which a total ban would prevent."
Part 3: Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1 (Example Answer)
"I can see why you thought the special effects were fake, but I actually thought the story was really interesting. What did you think of the main character's decisions?"
Scenario 2 (Example Answer)
"That's a valid point that large companies have a huge impact. To add to that, we should hold them accountable. On the other hand, I think our individual actions still matter because they create a culture of conservation and can influence bigger changes."
Challenge Quest (Example Answer)
"While the author implies that students aren't responsible enough for phones, this view might be too simplistic. Instead of a total ban, schools could focus on teaching digital citizenship and responsible use. This approach would challenge students to manage their own distractions, which is a valuable life skill that a simple ban doesn't teach."