Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments - Softcover

Herrick, James A.; Iltis, Robert S.

3.57

23 ratings by Goodreads

9781891136146: Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1891136143 ISBN 13: 9781891136146

Publisher: Strata Pub Co, 2003

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Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments explores the principles of clear thinking, critical listening, and careful analysis that active citizens and professionals need to evaluate and make arguments effectively. Drawing on classical and contemporary theory and principles, the book explores the structure of arguments; the relationships between reasons and conclusions; the criteria of evidence, validity, and definitional clarity; common types of arguments and fallacies; and the issues of adapting arguments to audiences.

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From the Publisher:

FEATURES
Clear, practical explanations of major principles and guidelines.
Strong foundation in classical and contemporary theory.
Examples from a wide array of social, professional, civic, and political contexts, reflecting students' own lives and experiences.
An emphasis on ethics and on the qualities of reasonable people and arguments.
A focus on audience-centered argument.

FEATURES OF THE THIRD EDITION
Expanded explanations of central concepts.
Many new examples and exercises, reflecting current issues and events.
Expanded discussion of the Internet as a source of evidence.
Expanded discussion of audience adaptation.
New chapter divisions with shorter chapters, for greater flexibility.

ADDITIONAL PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
Abundant exercises following each chapter.
Key terms at the beginning of each chapter; glossary at the end of the book.
Epigrams, pull quotes, figures, photos to highlight salient points, add visual interest.
Instructor's manual with additional exercises and other teaching resources.

From the Back Cover:

Herrick is a good writer, and I like the disciplined, no nonsense approach that he takes here. I also sense that this is written by someone who has a solid command of the philosophy of argumentation. . . . Textbooks reflect their fields, and I think this one speaks well of the communication discipline."
Thomas Lessl, University of Georgia

"Students responded favorably and non-honors students not only kept pace but excelled. I attribute their success to the direct, concrete, and concise nature of Herrick's prose--and to the high utility and heurism of the exercises following each chapter."
Robert Greenstreet, East Central University

"Herrick consistently connects his discussion back to ideals and traditions of civic discourse and the practical dimension of rhetorical argument. These themes recur throughout the text and form another of the main strengths of the book."
James M. Farrell, University of New Hampshire

"[T]he explanations provided in the text are clear; the examples and exercises assist the students in applying the relevant theoretical material."
Margaret Michels, Pennsylvania State University

"The students seemed to both like it and learn from it."
Beth Brunk-Chavez, University of Texas at El Paso

On the new edition
"It builds upon established strength and further improves the book as a text for undergraduate courses in general argumentation."
David Zarefsky, Northwestern University

"This revision actually improves a text which already fits my needs much better than I anticipated . . . . I am very likely to adopt the new edition, as it represents an improved version of the current text (more thorough explanation without a lot more girth)."
Robert Greenstreet, East Central University

"I find the more detailed discussion and use of additional explanatory examples very helpful."
Margaret Michels, Pennsylvania State University

"The proposed second edition will meet my needs as well or better than the current edition."
Frank O'Mara, State University of New York at Oneonta
On the focus on ethics and reasonable arguments

"I am pleased to see a concern for ethics."
Karen Lee, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

"I find especially important the discussion of argument ethics and the focus on `reasonable' arguments and `reasonable' people as crucial to the process of argumentation."
Diane Blair, California State University, Fresno

"Another major strength of the text is the emphasis on ethics and the related discussion of the qualities or virtues of `reasonable' people."
James M. Farrell, University of New Hampshire

"One of the things that attracted me to this book was its more extensive discussion of the role of ethics in argument. Most books of this kind have what I regard as a superficial treatment of 'communication ethics,' but they don't really reflect on the value issues that underlie ethics."
Thomas Lessl, University of Georgia
On the explanations and examples

"Nicely accessible."
Erica Hollander, Metropolitan State College, Denver

"I appreciate the range of examples--from the everyday, academic, political, to pop culture. . . . The examples are numerous and varied. If one doesn't make sense in a student's mind, another one will."
Beth Brunk-Chavez, University of Texas at El Paso

"The examples are well chosen and to the point."
David Zarefsky, Northwestern University

"I appreciate Herrick's clear and concise writing style."
Diane Blair, California State University, Fresno

"The Herrick text is thorough without developing the unnecessary detailed refinements that many unsophisticated, younger students find obfuscatory."
Dennis Wignall, Dixie State College

"[I]ts greatest strengths are detailed discussions of different kinds of arguments and how to analyze them, as well as the exercises."
Beth Innocenti Manolescu, University of Kansas

"Good definitions and examples are provided."
David Moss, Crafton Hills and Mount San Jacinto College

On the instructor's manual

"[The instructors' manual] looks incredibly useful,. . . . everything in the manual is very helpful and I will certainly make good use of it."
Beth Brunk-Chavez, University of Texas at El Paso

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.