Making the Case: An Argument Reader

Focusing on legal issues, this book promotes the skills of written argument by stimulating readers to think and write about actual, compelling court cases. Its application of general rules to specific disputes provides an ideal approach to the development of logical thought and argument. Each chapter features broad and narrow issues of conflict to help explore the roles of jury members, prosecutors, and defense attorneys—and explain how to make claims (i.e., arrive at verdicts), based on support (the facts and evidence of the case itself), applying standards (the relevant laws). General issues include law and society, arguing effectively, emotional distress, homicide, freedom of speech, search and seizure, and sexual harassment. Sub-issues cover law and engagement rings, hot coffee spills, parental failure to control children, skiing accidents, barroom brawls, and high school sports injuries. For individuals interested but untrained in the law, fascinated by human drama, and curious about our duties and responsibilities to other people and our society at large.