What is a Pro/Con List?

A pro/con list is a list of the benefits (good things) and drawbacks (bad things) of a certain topic.  In your case, a list of reasons why ecotourism is good or bad for the rainforest.

Tips on Creating Your Pro/Con List

Since your general topic is ecotourism in the rainforest, you will want to divide it into sub-topics to make it easier for you to brainstorm ideas.

First, hold a group brainstorming session for about 15 minutes. Write down everything that you can think about ecotourism on a piece of paper. (How does it affects the rainforest in general? the animals? the plants? the native people? How would it help the natives' economy? How would it educate the world?)

Then, write the word Pro on the left hand side of your paper, and the word Con on the right hand side. Draw a vertical line down the middle of the paper. Now you have the format for you pro/con list.

On the lefthand side of the page, write the word General. Skip down about 9 lines and write the word Animal.  Skip down another 9 lines and write the word Plants, another 9 and write Natives.  These words which you are adding are your SUBTOPICS.

Next, take the list of words and ideas which you have brainstormed and try to fit them into the Pro (good, or reason FOR) or Con (Bad, or reason AGAINST) categories. Not all of your phrases will fit. That is ok.

For example: say I brainstormed the phrase, endangered animals.  This is a good and important part of the rainforest to protect. As a result of too many people visiting the rainforest, these species might die. Therefore, endangered animals may go under the con column of ecotourism (because it may HURT the rainforest). It would specifically go under the Animal subtopic of the Con column.

In general, if it HURTS the subtopic you are working on, it goes under the "Con" column. If it HELPS the subtopic, it goes under the "Pro" column.

You MUST think in terms of consequences of ecotourism. For example, one consequence (result) of ecotourism could be that the natives become too greedy (they want too much money). This would be a "Con."  On the other hand, another consequence might be that the natives earn more money to support their families (which would be a "Pro.")

To avoid confusion, you MUST be specific in stating the Pros and Cons.

Fill in the Pros and Cons under every subtopic which you made (general, animals, plants, and natives)

This may take a while to brainstorm and fill out because it takes a lot of thinking!!

IF you have questions, just ask your teacher for help!