Arguments

1. Divide the class into two even groups and give the topic of the discussion, for example 'Should prisons be abolished?'
2. Group A thinks of arguments for prisons and group B thinks of arguments against prisons. Each member of the group should write down all the arguments that come up in the discussion.
3. Elicit ways of disagreeing and introducing counter-arguments, for example, That's all very well, but what about...?; I am not sure I would agree with that; Don't you think...? If necessary suggest some other ways yourself, and write all of these on the board.