Writing Arguments

Useful for courses in argument and research, this book can help to teach students to read arguments critically and to produce effective arguments.

"Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Brief Edition, Tenth Edition" integrates four different approaches to argument: the enthymeme as a logical structure; the classical concepts of logos, pathos and ethos; the Toulmin system; and stasis theory. Focusing on argument as dialogue in search of solutions instead of a pro-con debate with winners and losers, it is consistently praised for teaching the critical thinking skills needed for writing arguments. Major assignment chapters each focus on one or two classical stases (e.g. definition, resemblance, causal, evaluation and policy). Each concept is immediately reinforced with discussion prompts, and each chapter ends with multiple comprehensive writing assignments. This brief version contains exemplary readings within the chapters but excludes the anthology included in the comprehensive version. This book is also available in a comprehensive version (032190673X) and a concise version (0321964284), which is a redaction of the brief edition.

This version of "Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Brief" has been updated the reflect the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook (April, 2016).