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Pros and Cons

A simple evaluation framework where learners list the advantages and disadvantages of an idea, decision, or course of action, developing balanced judgement and argumentation skills.

Ranking & sorting
Pros and Cons diagram

What is pros and cons?

  • Present an idea, decision, or statement for evaluation
  • Draw a two-column table labelled Pros (advantages) and Cons (disadvantages)
  • Learners list arguments for and against in each column
  • Weigh the columns and reach a justified conclusion

How it works

Pros and cons is one of the most familiar evaluation tools, and its simplicity is its strength. A two-column layout forces learners to consider both sides of an argument before reaching a conclusion. This prevents the snap judgements that come from only considering one perspective.

The key to effective pros and cons work is insisting that both columns are populated before any conclusion is drawn. Learners naturally want to list reasons supporting their existing view. Requiring them to generate genuine arguments for the opposing position is where the thinking happens.

Quality matters more than quantity. Five well-developed pros and five well-developed cons produce better thinking than twenty superficial points. Encourage learners to explain each point rather than listing single words. "Pro: saves time" is weaker than "Pro: automated systems save teachers approximately two hours per week on administrative tasks, which can be redirected to lesson preparation."

After completing the table, learners must weigh the arguments and reach a conclusion. This is not simply counting which column has more entries. Some arguments carry more weight than others. A single con might outweigh several pros. Teaching learners to weigh rather than count develops sophisticated evaluative thinking.

Classroom example

A Year 7 Science and Technology class in a Pembrokeshire school is evaluating: "Should we use nuclear power to generate electricity in Wales?" Learners list pros (low carbon emissions, reliable, high energy output) and cons (radioactive waste, high building cost, risk of accidents). During the weighing phase, one group argues that the environmental pro outweighs all the cons because climate change is the most urgent threat. Another group argues that the waste con is decisive because storage is an unsolved problem. Both are valid conclusions, well justified.

Curriculum for Wales connection

Pros and cons develops the "Develop" strand of thinking skills through evaluation and balanced argumentation. It supports the Four Purposes by developing "ethical, informed citizens" who can weigh evidence and form justified opinions, and builds cross-curricular literacy through structured persuasive writing across all AoLEs.

Rainbow Curriculum's Thinking Tools lens helps you plan where evaluative frameworks are used across your curriculum, ensuring learners develop balanced judgement as a transferable thinking skill.

Tips

  • Require learners to complete the column they agree with less first. This prevents token opposition arguments.
  • Encourage weighing, not counting. Ask: "Which single point do you think is strongest, and why?"
  • A common pitfall: accepting one-word entries. Insist on explanations: not just "expensive" but "expensive because..."
  • Use pros and cons as preparation for persuasive or discursive writing.
  • Combine with PMI for a more nuanced three-column evaluation.

Source: Adapted from "How to develop thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom", Welsh Assembly Government, Guidance 044/2010.