EnglishFreePrintable

Building Strong Arguments

A free english worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Building Strong Arguments

A community group is deciding whether to create a free weekend bike-skills area at the local park. Read the information, then practise building a clear argument with reasons, evidence and a response to another point of view. You may support or oppose the idea.

The proposal

The park group has shared these details: the area would use painted lines and removable cones; it would be free to use; a volunteer would supervise for two hours on Saturday mornings; and the group has enough money for the equipment, but not for a permanent shelter. Some local residents like the idea of a safe place to practise. Others worry that weekend noise could disturb nearby homes.

CLAIM: What do you want the group to decide?

REASON: Why do you hold this view?

EVIDENCE: What detail or example supports your reason?

RESPONSE: What might someone disagree with, and how would you reply?

Spot the building blocks

Use the proposal details above to answer each question.

1.Which sentence is a clear claim about the proposed bike-skills area?

The park has painted lines and cones.
The group should create the free bike-skills area because it would give young people a safe place to practise.
Some people live near the park.
Saturday mornings happen every week.

2.Write one factual detail from the proposal that could be used as evidence. Explain what claim it could support.

3.Which sentence gives a reason rather than evidence?

A volunteer would supervise for two hours on Saturday mornings.
The equipment budget is enough, but there is no money for a permanent shelter.
A supervised area could help people practise safely.
Some residents are concerned about noise near their homes.

4.A writer says, “The bike area will be brilliant because everyone will love it.” Name one weakness in this argument and suggest a useful improvement.

Plan and strengthen your argument

Choose a position and build a case that a reader can follow. There can be more than one reasonable viewpoint.

5.Write a one-sentence claim either supporting or opposing the bike-skills area. Make your position unmistakable.

6.Give one strong reason for your claim, then add a relevant detail or example from the proposal as evidence.

7.Write a counter-argument: what is one reasonable concern someone on the other side might raise?

8.Respond respectfully to the concern you wrote. Acknowledge the concern, then explain a possible solution or why your claim still stands.

9.Write a short persuasive paragraph (4–6 sentences) for the park group. Include a clear claim, at least one reason, supporting evidence, and a response to a counter-argument.