A Rulebook for Arguments
A Rulebook for Arguments is a succinct introduction to the art of writing and assessing arguments, organized around specific rules, each illustrated and explained soundly but briefly. This widely popular primer - translated into eight languages - remains the first choice in all disciplines for writers who seek straightforward guidance about how to assess arguments and how to cogently construct them.\ The fourth edition offers a revamped and more tightly focused approach to extended arguments,...
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A Rulebook for Arguments is a succinct introduction to the art of writing and assessing arguments, organized around specific rules, each illustrated and explained soundly but briefly. This widely popular primer - translated into eight languages - remains the first choice in all disciplines for writers who seek straightforward guidance about how to assess arguments and how to cogently construct them. The fourth edition offers a revamped and more tightly focused approach to extended arguments, a new chapter on oral arguments, and updated examples and topics throughout. Booknews "What's the point of arguing?" So begins a concise, but dense with examples, examination of the logic of argumentationmoving from general rules in composing a brief argument to writing an argumentative essay. Lacks an index, information on the author, and dates of previous editions. Suitable as a supplementary text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
PrefaceixIntroductionxiI.Composing a Short Argument: Some General Rules11.Distinguish premises and conclusion12.Present your ideas in a natural order33.Start from reliable premises44.Be concrete and concise55.Avoid loaded language66.Use consistent terms77.Stick to one meaning for each term8II.Arguments by Example108.Give more than one example119.Use representative examples1210.Background information is crucial1411.Consider counterexamples17III.Arguments by Analogy1912.Analogy requires a relevantly similar example21IV.Arguments from Authority2413.Sources should be cited2514.Seek informed sources2615.Seek impartial sources2816.Cross-check sources3017.Personal attacks do not disqualify a source30V.Arguments about Causes3218.Explain how cause leads to effect3319.Propose the most likely cause3520.Correlated events are not necessarily related3621.Correlated events may have a common cause3622.Either of two correlated events may cause the other3823.Causes may be complex38VI.Deductive Arguments4024.Modus Ponens4125.Modus Tollens4226.Hypothetical Syllogism4427.Disjunctive Syllogism4628.Dilemma4729.Reductio ad absurdum4830.Deductive arguments in several steps50VII.Composing an Argumentative EssayA.Exploring the Issue53A1.Explore the arguments on all sides of the issue54A2.Question and defend each argument's premises56A3.Revise and rethink arguments as they emerge57VIII.Composing an Argumentative EssayB.Main Points of the Essay59B1.Explain the question59B2.Make a definite claim or proposal60B3.Develop your arguments fully61B4.Consider objections62B5.Consider alternatives63IX.Composing an Argumentative EssayC.Writing64C1.Follow your outline64C2.Keep the introduction brief65C3.Give your arguments one at a time65C4.Clarify, clarify, clarify67C5.Support objections with arguments68C6.Don't claim more than you have shown69X.Fallacies71The Two Great Fallacies71Some Classical Fallacies73AppendixDefinition79D1.When terms are unclear, get specific80D2.When terms are contested, work from the clear cases82D3.Don't expect definitions to do the work of arguments84Next Steps86
\ Booknews"What's the point of arguing?" So begins a concise, but dense with examples, examination of the logic of argumentation<-->moving from general rules in composing a brief argument to writing an argumentative essay. Lacks an index, information on the author, and dates of previous editions. Suitable as a supplementary text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \
