Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments

This highly regarded textbook explores the clear thinking, critical listening, and careful analysis skills that are vital to productive democratic discourse, and that today’s citizens and professionals need to make and evaluate arguments in real-life contexts.

Drawing on classical and contemporary theory, the book explores the structure of arguments; the criteria of evidence, validity, and linguistic clarity; common types of arguments and fallacies; and issues in adapting arguments to audiences. Abundant examples and exercises illustrate principles in terms of students’ personal, professional, and civic lives.

The new edition is updated to reflect current theory, concerns, and controversies of public discourse.