Discovering Arguments: An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Writing, with Readings

DISCOVERING ARGUMENTS: AN INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING AND WRITING, WITH READINGS focuses on the thought processes and research involved in argumentation and provides students with the necessary background to write critically and effectively. The text fully incorporates the rhetorical triangle of persuasive appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos. These powerful appeals offer students analytical tools that form the core of reading,writing, and thinking activities in the text.

The text uses inductive learning to encourage students to discover new ideas and skills which are explained in detail after students infer ideas for themselves.

This innovative text offers:

Over 100 professional and student writings on divisive issues including male/female communication styles, racial profiling, abortion, gun control and gambling

Unique interchapters on style and voice in brief sections between major chapters

Clearly explained methods of arguing such as inductive and deductive reasoning, refutation, cause and effect, definition, Rogerian argument, and the Toulmin strategy

A chapter on Thinking with Contraries in which students learn to examine opposites, contradictions, and paradoxes and to use creative thinking to complement critical thinking

A chapter on analyzing poetry, fiction, literary non-fiction, and film with engaging reading selections

Useful notebook activities that enable students to learn by doing and to track their progress

Comprehensive coverage on the evaluation and use of research processes and documentation of sources, including electronic sources, and the writing of reports and position papers

By engaging students logically, emotionally, and ethically, Discovering Arguments is more accessible and stimulating than any other argument textbook on the market.