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Practical Argument by Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell - Fourth Edition, 2020 from Macmillan Student Store
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Practical Argument

Fourth  Edition|©2020  Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell

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About

Learn how to argue about the issues that affect you.

When learning argumentation techniques that can be applied to real life issues, you don’t want to get bogged down with technical jargon. Practical Argument makes argumentative writing accessible with a  step-by-step approach and clear, understandable language. The fourth edition includes a contemporary and diverse array of readings, as well as coverage of the kinds of visual arguments you’re likely to encounter in your everyday life.

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Contents

Table of Contents

Part 1β€”Understanding Argument

An Introduction to Argument

Recognizing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Why Instructors Assign Argument [box]

Defining Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ What Kinds of Statements Are Not Debatable? [box]

Arguments in Real Life

Winning and Losing Arguments

The Rhetorical Situation

Considering the Writer

Considering the Purpose

Considering the Audience

Considering the Question

Considering the Context

Logos, Pathos,γ€€andγ€€Ethos

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Reason (logos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Logosγ€€in Action

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to the Emotions (pathos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Pathosγ€€in Action

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Authority (ethos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Ethosγ€€in Action

The Rhetorical Triangle

1β€”The Four Pillars of Argument

AT ISSUE: Is a College Education Worth the Money?

The Elements of Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thesis Statement

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Refutation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Concluding Statement

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Does Your Argument Stand Up?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Nia Tuckson,γ€€Why Foreign-Language Study Should Be Requiredγ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Andy Kessler,γ€€Learn a Language, But Not a Human One

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Is a College Education Worth the Money?

*Derek Tharp,γ€€Is College Worth It? The Answer Isn’t as Simple as You Think

Marty Nemko,γ€€We Send Too Many Students to College

Jennie Le,γ€€What Does It Mean to Be a College Grad?

*Bryan Caplan,γ€€What’s College Good For?

Mary C. Daly and Leila Bengali,γ€€Is It Still Worth Going to College?

*University of the People,γ€€Does College Still Matter in 2018?

Part 2β€”Reading and Responding to Arguments

2β€”Thinking and Reading Critically

AT ISSUE: Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Critical-Thinking Skills [box]

Reading Critically

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Guidelines for Reading Critically [box]

Becoming an Active Reader

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Previewing

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Close Reading

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Comprehension Clues [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*John Tierney, The Reign of Recycling

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Highlighting

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Suggestions for Highlighting [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Annotating

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Questions for Annotating

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Los Angeles Times, It’s Time to Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic

γ€€γ€€ *Bob Holmes, Waste Not…

γ€€ *Jenny Luna, We Are So Forked

Writing a Critical Response

Checklist: Questions for Critical Reading

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Neena Thomason, Response to "It’s Time To Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic"γ€€[student response]

Template for Writing a Critical Response

3β€”Reading and Responding to Visual Arguments

AT ISSUE: Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything? [continued]

Thinking Critically about Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Visuals versus Visual Arguments [box]

Using Active Reading Strategies with Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Comprehension Clues [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Appeals:γ€€Logos, Pathos,γ€€andγ€€Ethosγ€€[box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€National Geographic Coverγ€€[visual]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Recycling Bar Graphγ€€[graphs]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Bird Trapped in Plastic [photo]

Recycling cartoon [cartoon]

Waste Pie Chart [chart]

Straws Suck! [infographic]

What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You [advertisement]

Last Earth Day [advertisement]

Responding Critically to Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Questions for Responding to Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You [student response]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Responding to Visual Arguments

4β€”Writing a Rhetorical Analysis

AT ISSUE: Is It Ethical to Buy Counterfeit Designer Merchandise?

What Is a Rhetorical Analysis?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Overview: "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr. [box]

Considering the Rhetorical Situation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer’s Purpose

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer’s Purpose [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer’s Audience

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer’s Audience [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Question

Analyzing the Question [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Context

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Context [box]

Considering the Means of Persuasion:γ€€Logos, Pathos, Ethos

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Reason (logos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to the Emotions (pathos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Authority (ethos)

Considering the Writer’s Rhetorical Strategies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thesis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Organization

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Stylistic Techniques

Assessing the Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Preparing to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Sample Rhetorical Analysis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Dana Thomas,γ€€Terror's Purse Strings

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Deniz Bilgutay,γ€€A Powerful Call to Actionγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Rajeev Ravisankar,γ€€Sweatshop Oppression

γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Writing a Rhetorical Analysis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Jerome Sieger,γ€€Sweatshops Are Good

5β€”Understanding Logic and Recognizing Logical Fallacies

AT ISSUE: How Free Should Free Speech Be?

What Is Deductive Reasoning?

Constructing Sound Syllogisms

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogism with an Illogical Middle Term

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogism with a Key Term Whose Meaning Shifts

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogisms with Negative Premise

Recognizing Enthymemes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bumper-Sticker Thinking [box]

Writing Deductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Crystal Sanchez,γ€€College Should Be for Everyoneγ€€[student essay]

What Is Inductive Reasoning?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Reaching Inductive Conclusions [box]

Making Inferences

Constructing Strong Inductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Generalization Too Broad

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Insufficient Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Irrelevant Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Exceptions to the Rule

Writing Inductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ William Saletan,γ€€Please Do Not Feed the Humans

Recognizing Logical Fallacies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Begging the Question

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Circular Reasoning

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Weak Analogy

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€Ad Hominemγ€€Fallacy (Personal Attack)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Creating a Straw Man

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Hasty or Sweeping Generalization (Jumping to a Conclusion)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Either/Or Fallacy (False Dilemma)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Equivocation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Red Herring

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Slippery Slope

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ You Also (Tu Quoque)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Appeal to Doubtful Authority

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Misuse of Statistics

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hocγ€€(After This, Therefore Because of This)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Non Sequiturγ€€(It Does Not Follow)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bandwagon Fallacy

Patrick J. Buchanan,γ€€Immigration Time-Out

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Free Should Free Speech Be?

*Thane Rosenbaum,γ€€Should Neo-Nazis Be Allowed Free Speech?γ€€γ€€

*Sol Stern,γ€€The Unfree Speech Movement

*American Association of University Professors,γ€€On Freedom of Expression and Campus Speech Codesγ€€γ€€

*Wendy Kaminer,γ€€Progressive Ideas Have Killed Free Speech on Campus

*Judith Shulevitz,γ€€In College and Hiding from Scary Ideas

*Eric Posner,γ€€Universities Are Right to Crack Down on Speech and Behavior

Template for Writing a Deductive Argument

Template for Writing an Inductive Argument

6β€”Rogerian Argument, Toulmin Logic, and Oral Arguments

AT ISSUE: Why Are So Few Women in STEM Fields?

Understanding Rogerian Argument

Structuring Rogerian Arguments

Writing Rogerian Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Zoya Kahn,γ€€Why Cell Phones Do Not Belong in the Classroomγ€€[student essay]

Understanding Toulmin Logic

Constructing Toulmin Arguments

Writing Toulmin Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Jen Davis,γ€€Competitive Cheerleaders Are Athletesγ€€[student essay]

Understanding Oral Arguments

Planning an Oral Argument

Checklist: Designing and Displaying Visuals

Delivering Oral Arguments

Dealing with Nervousness [box]

Composing an Oral Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Chantee Steele,γ€€An Argument in Support of the "Gap Year"γ€€[student speech] γ€€

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Why Are So Few Women in STEM Fields?γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€**Olivia Nicholas, **What Are You Going to Do with That Major?*

                     **Olga Khazan, **The More Gender Equality, the Fewer Women in STEM*

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Stuart Reges,γ€€Why Women Don’t Code

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Rosalind C. Barnett and Caryl Rivers,γ€€The Science Doesn’t Support the Google Memo

γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Barbara Oakley,γ€€Why Do Women Shun STEM? It’s Complicated

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Template for Writing a Rogerian Argument

Template for Writing a Toulmin Argument

Part 3β€”Writing an Argumentative Essay

7β€”Planning, Drafting, and Revising an Argumentative Essay

AT ISSUE: Should College Campuses Go Green?

Choosing a Topic

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Topics to Avoid [box]

Thinking about Your Topic

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Freewriting

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Brainstorming

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Clustering

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Informal Outline

Drafting a Thesis Statement

Understanding Your Purpose and Audience

Gathering Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evaluating the Evidence in Your Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Detecting Bias in Your Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Using Analogies as Evidence [box]

Refuting Opposing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Strategies for Refuting Opposing Arguments

Revising Your Thesis Statement

Structuring Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Supplying Background Information [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Induction and Deduction

Identifying a Strategy for Your Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Constructing a Formal Outline

Establishing Credibility

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Well-Informed

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Reasonable

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Fair

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Maintaining Your Credibility [box]

Drafting Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Suggested Transitions for Argument [box]

GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Using Parallelism

Revising Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Asking Questions

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Purpose and Audience

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Structure and Style

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Supporting Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Outlines and Templates

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Getting Feedback

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Guidelines for Peer Review

Polishing Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Editing and Proofreading

GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Contractions vs. Possessive Pronouns

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Choosing a Title

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checking Format

Shawn Holton,γ€€Going Greenγ€€[student essay]

Part 4β€”Using Sources to Support Your Argument

8β€”Finding and Evaluating Sources

AT ISSUE: Is Technology a Serious Threat to Our Privacy?

Finding Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Finding Information in the Library

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Finding Information on the Internet

Evaluating Sources

*Zeynep Tufekci, The Privacy Debacle

*David N. Cicilline and Terrell McSweeny, Competition is at the Heart of Facebook’s Privacy Problem

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Daniel Lyons, Facebook: Privacy Problems and PR Nightmareγ€€

Evaluating Websites

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using a Site’s URL to Assess Its Objectivity [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Avoiding Confirmation Bias [box]γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

*The Chronicle of Higher Education,γ€€Home Pageγ€€[website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Glamour Magazine,γ€€Home Pageγ€€[website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€*The Chronicle of Higher Education,γ€€Aboutγ€€The Chronicle [website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Glamourγ€€Magazine,γ€€Aboutγ€€Glamourγ€€[website]

γ€€*Bart Lazar,γ€€Why We Need a Privacy Label on the Internet

γ€€ *Douglas Rushkoff,γ€€You Are Not Facebook’s Customer

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Igor Kuksov,γ€€All Ears: The Dangers of Voice Assistants

γ€€ Sam Laird,γ€€Should Athletes Have Social Media Privacy? One Bill Says Yes

9β€”Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Synthesizing Sources

AT ISSUE: Is Technology a Serious Threat to Our Privacy? (continued)

Summarizing Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Summarize [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Summarizing Sources [box]

Paraphrasing Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Paraphrase [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Paraphrasing Sources [box]

Quoting Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Quote [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Quoting Sources [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€Shelley Fralic,γ€€Don’t Fall for the Myths about Online Privacy

Working Source Material into Your Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Identifying Tags

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Using Identifying Tags [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Working Quotations into Your Sentences

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Distorting Quotations [box]

Synthesizing Sources

10β€”Documenting Sources: MLA

Using Parenthetical References

Preparing the Works-Cited List

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Periodicals γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Books

Audiovisual Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Internet Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Legal Case

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Government Document

MLA Paper Guidelines [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Erin Blaine,γ€€Should Data Posted on Social Networking Sites Be "Fair Game" for Employers?γ€€[Model MLA Paper]

11β€”Using Sources Responsibly

AT ISSUE: Where Should We Draw the Line with Plagiarism?

Understanding Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Two Definitions of Plagiarism [box]

Avoiding Unintentional Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€Internet Sources and Plagiarism [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Intentional Plagiarism [box]

Knowing What to Document

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Loos Diallo,γ€€Plagiarism Policyγ€€[image]

*Erika Ramirez,γ€€When Beyonce’s Inspiration Turns Into Imitation

Revising to Eliminate Plagiarism

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Where Should We Draw the Line with Plagiarism?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€Trip Gabriel,γ€€Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Jennifer Mott-Smith,γ€€Bad Idea about Writing: Plagiarism Deserves to be Punished

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Richard A. Posner,γ€€The Truth about Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Helen Rubinstein,γ€€When Plagiarism is a Plea for Help

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Dan Ariely,γ€€Essay Mills: A Coarse Lesson in Cheating

Term Papers for Sale Advertisementγ€€[Web page]

Template for Writing an Argument about Plagiarism

Writing Assignments: Using Sources Responsibly

Part 5β€” Strategies for Argument

12β€”Definition Arguments

AT ISSUE: How Do We Distinguish Between Real News and Misinformation?

What Is a Definition Argument?

Developing Definitions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Dictionary Definitions (Formal Definitions)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Extended Definitions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Operational Definitions

Structuring a Definition Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Adam Kennedy,γ€€Why I Am a Nontraditional Studentγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Avoiding "Is Where"γ€€and "Is When"

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€*Ej Garr,γ€€Athlete vs. Role Model

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Firefighters at Ground Zeroγ€€[photograph];γ€€The Tuskegee Airmenγ€€[photograph]

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Do We Distinguish Between Real News and Misinformation?

γ€€γ€€ *Joanna Burkhardt,γ€€History of Fake News

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Jimmy Wales,γ€€What Can We Do to Combat Fake News?

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Adrian Chen,γ€€The Fake News Fallacy

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Katie Langin, Fake News Spreads Faster than True News

*Lee Leetaru,γ€€How Data and Information Literacy Could End Fake News

Template for Writing a Definition Argument

Writing Assignments: Definition Arguments

13β€”Cause-and-Effect Arguments

AT ISSUE: γ€€Does Our Reliance on Social Media Bring Us Together or Drive Us Apart?

What Is a Cause-and-Effect Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bumper Stickersγ€€[photograph]

Understanding Cause-and-Effect Relationships

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Main and Contributory Causes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Immediate and Remote Causes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Causal Chains

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Key Words for Cause-and-Effect Arguments [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Post Hocγ€€Reasoning

Structuring a Cause-and-Effect Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Kristina Mialki,γ€€Texting: A Boon, Not a Threat, to Languageγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Avoiding "The reason is because"

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Peggy Orenstein,γ€€Should the World of Toys Be Gender-Free?

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Does Our Reliance on Social Media Bring Us Together or Drive Us Apart?

*Laura Bogart,γ€€I Don’t Own a Smartphone – and I Don’t Want One

*Dimitiry Kozlov,γ€€Social Media: Bringing People Together, Virtually and Physically

*Robert Weiss, Closer Together or Further Apart? Digital Devices and the New Generation Gap

*David Ludden,γ€€Does Using Social Media Make You Lonely?

*Wendy Leung,γ€€I Quit Facebook and I Miss It

*Sherry Turkle,γ€€The Flight from Conversation

Template for Writing a Cause-and-Effect Argument

Writing Assignments: Cause-and-Effect Arguments

14β€”Evaluation Arguments

AT ISSUE: Do the Benefits of Fossil Fuels Outweigh the Environmental Risks?

What Is an Evaluation Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Making Evaluations [box]

  Identifying Bias [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Criteria for Evaluation

Structuring an Evaluation Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Kevin Murphy,γ€€Evaluation of a Website: RateMyProfessors.comγ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Comparatives and Superlatives

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Eric Klinenberg,γ€€To Restore Civil Society, Start with the Library

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Do the Benefits of Fracking Outweigh the Environmental Risks?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Joseph Bast and Peter Ferraraγ€€The Social Benefits of Fossil Fuels Far Outweigh the Costs

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Juan Ramos,γ€€Fossil Fuels Pros and Cons

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Bernard McNamee,γ€€This Earth Day, Let’s Accept the Critical Role That Fossil Fuels Play in Energy Needs

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Sean Lennon,γ€€Destroying Precious Land for Gas

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Bruno Comby,γ€€The Benefits of Nuclear Energy

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Barbara Hurd,γ€€Fracking: A Fable

Template for Writing an Evaluation Argument

Writing Assignments: Evaluation Arguments

15β€”Ethical Arguments

AT ISSUE: How Far Should Schools Go to Keep Students Safe?

What is an Ethical Argument?

Stating an Ethical Principle

Ethics versus Law

Understanding Ethical Dilemmas

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Treadlighly.org,γ€€Ride Hard,γ€€Tread Lightlyγ€€[advertisement] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*PETA,γ€€Adopt, Don’t Buyγ€€[advertisement] γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Linda Pastan,γ€€Ethicsγ€€[poem]γ€€γ€€

Structuring an Ethical Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Chris MuΓ±oz,γ€€Are Colleges Doing Enough for Nontraditional Students?γ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Subordination and Coordination

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Shubhankar Chokra,γ€€The Ethical Case for Eating Animals

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Far Should Schools Go to Keep Students Safe?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Evie Blad,γ€€Do Schools’ "Active Shooter" Drills Prepare or Frighten?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Timothy Wheelerγ€€There’s a Reason They Choose Schools

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Sasha Arbramsky, The Fear Industry Goes Back to Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Michael Goldberg,γ€€I’m a School Psychologistβ€”and I Think Teachers Should Be Armed

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Vann Newkirk,γ€€Arming Educators Violates the Spirit of the Second Amendment

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Isothermal Community College,γ€€Warning Signs: How You Can Help Prevent Campus Violence

Template for Writing an Ethical Argument

Writing Assignments: Ethical Arguments


16β€”Proposal Arguments

AT ISSUE: Should the Government Do More to Relieve the Student Loan Burden?

What Is a Proposal Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€PETA,γ€€Let Vegetarianism Grow on Youγ€€[advertisement]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Problem Solving Strategies [box]

Stating the Problem

Proposing a Solutionγ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

Demonstrating That Your Solution Will Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Sunshineweek.org,γ€€Let the Sunshine Inγ€€[advertisement] γ€€

Establishing Feasibility

Discussing Benefits

Refuting Opposing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Nyc.gov,γ€€It’s Your City. It’s Your Earth.γ€€[advertisement]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Bernie Sanders,γ€€Medicare for All Is Good for Business

Structuring a Proposal Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Melissa Burrell,γ€€Colleges Need Honor Codesγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT:γ€€Willγ€€versusγ€€Would

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Michelle Wu,γ€€The Road to Fear-Free Driving in Boston

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Should the Government Do More to Relieve the Student-Loan Burden?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Rana Foroohar, The US College Debt Bubble Is Becoming Dangerous

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Richard Vedder,γ€€Forgive Student Loans?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Ben Miller,γ€€Student Debt: It’s Worse Than We Imagined

γ€€γ€€γ€€Sam Adolphsen,γ€€Don’t Blame the Governmentγ€€γ€€γ€€

Astra Taylor,γ€€A Strike against Student Debt

Template for Writing a Proposal Argument

Writing Assignments: Proposal Arguments

Part 5 Review: Combining Argumentative Strategies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Robert M. Franklin,γ€€RFK’s Still a Leadership Role Model for Youth

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Kevin Carey,γ€€Fulfill George Washington’s Last Wishβ€…β€”β€…a National University


Part 6β€”Debates, Casebooks, and Classic Arguments

DEBATES

17β€” Should We Embrace Self-Driving Cars?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Don Aucoin,γ€€Why We Have the Ethics of Self-Driving Cars All Wrong

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Olivia Goldhill,γ€€Should Driverless Cars Kill Their Own Passengers to Save a Pedestrian?

18β€”Should College Athletes Be Paid?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Randy Bertolas, Jayme Krejci, and Alex Stanleyγ€€Are Colleges and Universities Obligated to Provide Student Athletes with Additional Compensation? (Point)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€* Randy Bertolas, Jayme Krejci, and Alex Stanleyγ€€Are Colleges and Universities Obligated to Provide Student Athletes with Additional Compensation? (Counterpoint)

19β€”Under What Circumstances Do Bystanders Have an Ethical Obligation to Intervene?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Lenore Skenazy,γ€€How Kitty Genovese Destroyed Childhood

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Joe Nocera,γ€€It’s Hard to Be a Hero

20β€”Should the United States Establish a Universal Basic Income?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ γ€€ *Christian Bot,γ€€The Conservative Case for Universal Basic Income

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Geroge Zarkadakas,γ€€The Case Against Universal Basic Income

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

CASEBOOKS

21β€”Should Every American Go to College?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Eric Hoover,γ€€College’s Value Goes Deeper Than the Degree

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Andrew Perry,γ€€Stop Saying College Isn’t for Everyone

*G. Vance, The College Trap: Our Higher Education System Hurts the Poor

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Charlesγ€€Murray,γ€€What's Wrong with Vocational School?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

22β€”How Should We Solve the Opioid Problem?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Ericka Anderson,γ€€The Opioid Epidemic Is a Cultural Problem, It Requires Cultural Solutions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Stanton Peele,γ€€The Solution to the Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Peter Moore,γ€€The Other Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Sally Satel,γ€€The Myth of What’s Driving the Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

23β€”Should the United States Have Open Borders?

γ€€*Richard Lamm,γ€€The Liberal Case for Reducing Immigration

*Nick Srineck,γ€€$100 Trillion Case for Open Borders

*John Lee,γ€€Secure the U.S.-Mexico Border: Open It

*Adam Ozemik,γ€€Why I Don’t Support Open Borders

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

24β€”Does It Pay to Study the Humanities? γ€€

Christina H. Paxson,γ€€The Economic Case for Saving the Humanities

Anthony P. Carnevale and Michelle Melton,γ€€Major Differences: Why Undergraduate Majors Matter

Kim Brooks,γ€€Is It Time to Kill the Liberal Arts Degree?

Thomas Frank,γ€€Course Corrections

25β€”CLASSIC ARGUMENTS

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Plato,γ€€The Allegory of the Cave

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Andrew Marvell,γ€€To His Coy Mistress

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Jonathan Swift,γ€€A Modest Proposal

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thomas Jefferson,γ€€The Declaration of Independence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Abraham Lincoln,γ€€The Gettysburg Address

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Elizabeth Cady Stanton,γ€€Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutionsγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€George Orwell,γ€€Politics and the English Languageγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Rachel Carson,γ€€The Obligation to Endureγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Betty Friedan,γ€€The Importance of Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€James Baldwin,γ€€If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?

Appendix Aβ€”Writing Literary Arguments

What Is a Literary Argument?

Stating an Argumentative Thesis

Choosing Evidence

Writing a Literary Argument

Megan McGovern,γ€€Confessions of a Misunderstood Poem: An Analysis of "The Road Not Taken"γ€€[student essay]

Loren Martinez,γ€€Not Just a "Girl"[student essay]


Appendix Bβ€”Documenting Sources: APA

Authors

Laurie G. Kirszner

During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emeritus at the University of the Sciences, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program.  Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.


Stephen R. Mandell

During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emeritus at the University of the Sciences, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program.  Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.


Real-world arguments made accessible for students.

Learn how to argue about the issues that affect you.

When learning argumentation techniques that can be applied to real life issues, you don’t want to get bogged down with technical jargon. Practical Argument makes argumentative writing accessible with a  step-by-step approach and clear, understandable language. The fourth edition includes a contemporary and diverse array of readings, as well as coverage of the kinds of visual arguments you’re likely to encounter in your everyday life.

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Table of Contents

Part 1β€”Understanding Argument

An Introduction to Argument

Recognizing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Why Instructors Assign Argument [box]

Defining Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ What Kinds of Statements Are Not Debatable? [box]

Arguments in Real Life

Winning and Losing Arguments

The Rhetorical Situation

Considering the Writer

Considering the Purpose

Considering the Audience

Considering the Question

Considering the Context

Logos, Pathos,γ€€andγ€€Ethos

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Reason (logos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Logosγ€€in Action

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to the Emotions (pathos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Pathosγ€€in Action

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Authority (ethos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Ethosγ€€in Action

The Rhetorical Triangle

1β€”The Four Pillars of Argument

AT ISSUE: Is a College Education Worth the Money?

The Elements of Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thesis Statement

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Refutation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Concluding Statement

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Does Your Argument Stand Up?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Nia Tuckson,γ€€Why Foreign-Language Study Should Be Requiredγ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Andy Kessler,γ€€Learn a Language, But Not a Human One

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Is a College Education Worth the Money?

*Derek Tharp,γ€€Is College Worth It? The Answer Isn’t as Simple as You Think

Marty Nemko,γ€€We Send Too Many Students to College

Jennie Le,γ€€What Does It Mean to Be a College Grad?

*Bryan Caplan,γ€€What’s College Good For?

Mary C. Daly and Leila Bengali,γ€€Is It Still Worth Going to College?

*University of the People,γ€€Does College Still Matter in 2018?

Part 2β€”Reading and Responding to Arguments

2β€”Thinking and Reading Critically

AT ISSUE: Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Critical-Thinking Skills [box]

Reading Critically

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Guidelines for Reading Critically [box]

Becoming an Active Reader

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Previewing

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Close Reading

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Comprehension Clues [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*John Tierney, The Reign of Recycling

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Highlighting

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Suggestions for Highlighting [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Annotating

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Questions for Annotating

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Los Angeles Times, It’s Time to Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic

γ€€γ€€ *Bob Holmes, Waste Not…

γ€€ *Jenny Luna, We Are So Forked

Writing a Critical Response

Checklist: Questions for Critical Reading

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Neena Thomason, Response to "It’s Time To Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic"γ€€[student response]

Template for Writing a Critical Response

3β€”Reading and Responding to Visual Arguments

AT ISSUE: Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything? [continued]

Thinking Critically about Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Visuals versus Visual Arguments [box]

Using Active Reading Strategies with Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Comprehension Clues [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Appeals:γ€€Logos, Pathos,γ€€andγ€€Ethosγ€€[box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€National Geographic Coverγ€€[visual]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Recycling Bar Graphγ€€[graphs]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Bird Trapped in Plastic [photo]

Recycling cartoon [cartoon]

Waste Pie Chart [chart]

Straws Suck! [infographic]

What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You [advertisement]

Last Earth Day [advertisement]

Responding Critically to Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Questions for Responding to Visual Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You [student response]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Responding to Visual Arguments

4β€”Writing a Rhetorical Analysis

AT ISSUE: Is It Ethical to Buy Counterfeit Designer Merchandise?

What Is a Rhetorical Analysis?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Overview: "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr. [box]

Considering the Rhetorical Situation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer’s Purpose

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer’s Purpose [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Writer’s Audience

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Writer’s Audience [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Question

Analyzing the Question [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Context

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Analyzing the Context [box]

Considering the Means of Persuasion:γ€€Logos, Pathos, Ethos

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Reason (logos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to the Emotions (pathos)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ The Appeal to Authority (ethos)

Considering the Writer’s Rhetorical Strategies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thesis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Organization

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Stylistic Techniques

Assessing the Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checklist: Preparing to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Sample Rhetorical Analysis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Dana Thomas,γ€€Terror's Purse Strings

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Deniz Bilgutay,γ€€A Powerful Call to Actionγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Rajeev Ravisankar,γ€€Sweatshop Oppression

γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Writing a Rhetorical Analysis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Jerome Sieger,γ€€Sweatshops Are Good

5β€”Understanding Logic and Recognizing Logical Fallacies

AT ISSUE: How Free Should Free Speech Be?

What Is Deductive Reasoning?

Constructing Sound Syllogisms

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogism with an Illogical Middle Term

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogism with a Key Term Whose Meaning Shifts

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Syllogisms with Negative Premise

Recognizing Enthymemes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bumper-Sticker Thinking [box]

Writing Deductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Crystal Sanchez,γ€€College Should Be for Everyoneγ€€[student essay]

What Is Inductive Reasoning?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Reaching Inductive Conclusions [box]

Making Inferences

Constructing Strong Inductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Generalization Too Broad

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Insufficient Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Irrelevant Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Exceptions to the Rule

Writing Inductive Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ William Saletan,γ€€Please Do Not Feed the Humans

Recognizing Logical Fallacies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Begging the Question

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Circular Reasoning

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Weak Analogy

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€Ad Hominemγ€€Fallacy (Personal Attack)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Creating a Straw Man

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Hasty or Sweeping Generalization (Jumping to a Conclusion)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Either/Or Fallacy (False Dilemma)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Equivocation

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Red Herring

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Slippery Slope

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ You Also (Tu Quoque)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Appeal to Doubtful Authority

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Misuse of Statistics

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hocγ€€(After This, Therefore Because of This)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Non Sequiturγ€€(It Does Not Follow)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bandwagon Fallacy

Patrick J. Buchanan,γ€€Immigration Time-Out

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Free Should Free Speech Be?

*Thane Rosenbaum,γ€€Should Neo-Nazis Be Allowed Free Speech?γ€€γ€€

*Sol Stern,γ€€The Unfree Speech Movement

*American Association of University Professors,γ€€On Freedom of Expression and Campus Speech Codesγ€€γ€€

*Wendy Kaminer,γ€€Progressive Ideas Have Killed Free Speech on Campus

*Judith Shulevitz,γ€€In College and Hiding from Scary Ideas

*Eric Posner,γ€€Universities Are Right to Crack Down on Speech and Behavior

Template for Writing a Deductive Argument

Template for Writing an Inductive Argument

6β€”Rogerian Argument, Toulmin Logic, and Oral Arguments

AT ISSUE: Why Are So Few Women in STEM Fields?

Understanding Rogerian Argument

Structuring Rogerian Arguments

Writing Rogerian Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Zoya Kahn,γ€€Why Cell Phones Do Not Belong in the Classroomγ€€[student essay]

Understanding Toulmin Logic

Constructing Toulmin Arguments

Writing Toulmin Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Jen Davis,γ€€Competitive Cheerleaders Are Athletesγ€€[student essay]

Understanding Oral Arguments

Planning an Oral Argument

Checklist: Designing and Displaying Visuals

Delivering Oral Arguments

Dealing with Nervousness [box]

Composing an Oral Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Chantee Steele,γ€€An Argument in Support of the "Gap Year"γ€€[student speech] γ€€

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Why Are So Few Women in STEM Fields?γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€**Olivia Nicholas, **What Are You Going to Do with That Major?*

                     **Olga Khazan, **The More Gender Equality, the Fewer Women in STEM*

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Stuart Reges,γ€€Why Women Don’t Code

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Rosalind C. Barnett and Caryl Rivers,γ€€The Science Doesn’t Support the Google Memo

γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Barbara Oakley,γ€€Why Do Women Shun STEM? It’s Complicated

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Template for Writing a Rogerian Argument

Template for Writing a Toulmin Argument

Part 3β€”Writing an Argumentative Essay

7β€”Planning, Drafting, and Revising an Argumentative Essay

AT ISSUE: Should College Campuses Go Green?

Choosing a Topic

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Topics to Avoid [box]

Thinking about Your Topic

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Freewriting

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Brainstorming

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Clustering

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Informal Outline

Drafting a Thesis Statement

Understanding Your Purpose and Audience

Gathering Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Evaluating the Evidence in Your Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Detecting Bias in Your Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Using Analogies as Evidence [box]

Refuting Opposing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Strategies for Refuting Opposing Arguments

Revising Your Thesis Statement

Structuring Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Supplying Background Information [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Induction and Deduction

Identifying a Strategy for Your Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Constructing a Formal Outline

Establishing Credibility

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Well-Informed

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Reasonable

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Being Fair

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Maintaining Your Credibility [box]

Drafting Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Suggested Transitions for Argument [box]

GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Using Parallelism

Revising Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Asking Questions

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Purpose and Audience

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Structure and Style

Checklist: Questions about Your Essay’s Supporting Evidence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Outlines and Templates

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Getting Feedback

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Guidelines for Peer Review

Polishing Your Essay

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Editing and Proofreading

GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Contractions vs. Possessive Pronouns

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Choosing a Title

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Checking Format

Shawn Holton,γ€€Going Greenγ€€[student essay]

Part 4β€”Using Sources to Support Your Argument

8β€”Finding and Evaluating Sources

AT ISSUE: Is Technology a Serious Threat to Our Privacy?

Finding Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Finding Information in the Library

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Finding Information on the Internet

Evaluating Sources

*Zeynep Tufekci, The Privacy Debacle

*David N. Cicilline and Terrell McSweeny, Competition is at the Heart of Facebook’s Privacy Problem

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Daniel Lyons, Facebook: Privacy Problems and PR Nightmareγ€€

Evaluating Websites

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using a Site’s URL to Assess Its Objectivity [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Avoiding Confirmation Bias [box]γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

*The Chronicle of Higher Education,γ€€Home Pageγ€€[website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Glamour Magazine,γ€€Home Pageγ€€[website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€*The Chronicle of Higher Education,γ€€Aboutγ€€The Chronicle [website]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Glamourγ€€Magazine,γ€€Aboutγ€€Glamourγ€€[website]

γ€€*Bart Lazar,γ€€Why We Need a Privacy Label on the Internet

γ€€ *Douglas Rushkoff,γ€€You Are Not Facebook’s Customer

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Igor Kuksov,γ€€All Ears: The Dangers of Voice Assistants

γ€€ Sam Laird,γ€€Should Athletes Have Social Media Privacy? One Bill Says Yes

9β€”Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Synthesizing Sources

AT ISSUE: Is Technology a Serious Threat to Our Privacy? (continued)

Summarizing Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Summarize [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Summarizing Sources [box]

Paraphrasing Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Paraphrase [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Paraphrasing Sources [box]

Quoting Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ When to Quote [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Quoting Sources [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€Shelley Fralic,γ€€Don’t Fall for the Myths about Online Privacy

Working Source Material into Your Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Using Identifying Tags

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Template for Using Identifying Tags [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Working Quotations into Your Sentences

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Distorting Quotations [box]

Synthesizing Sources

10β€”Documenting Sources: MLA

Using Parenthetical References

Preparing the Works-Cited List

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Periodicals γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Books

Audiovisual Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Internet Sources

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Legal Case

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Government Document

MLA Paper Guidelines [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Erin Blaine,γ€€Should Data Posted on Social Networking Sites Be "Fair Game" for Employers?γ€€[Model MLA Paper]

11β€”Using Sources Responsibly

AT ISSUE: Where Should We Draw the Line with Plagiarism?

Understanding Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Two Definitions of Plagiarism [box]

Avoiding Unintentional Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€Internet Sources and Plagiarism [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Intentional Plagiarism [box]

Knowing What to Document

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Loos Diallo,γ€€Plagiarism Policyγ€€[image]

*Erika Ramirez,γ€€When Beyonce’s Inspiration Turns Into Imitation

Revising to Eliminate Plagiarism

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Where Should We Draw the Line with Plagiarism?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€Trip Gabriel,γ€€Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Jennifer Mott-Smith,γ€€Bad Idea about Writing: Plagiarism Deserves to be Punished

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Richard A. Posner,γ€€The Truth about Plagiarism

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Helen Rubinstein,γ€€When Plagiarism is a Plea for Help

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Dan Ariely,γ€€Essay Mills: A Coarse Lesson in Cheating

Term Papers for Sale Advertisementγ€€[Web page]

Template for Writing an Argument about Plagiarism

Writing Assignments: Using Sources Responsibly

Part 5β€” Strategies for Argument

12β€”Definition Arguments

AT ISSUE: How Do We Distinguish Between Real News and Misinformation?

What Is a Definition Argument?

Developing Definitions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Dictionary Definitions (Formal Definitions)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Extended Definitions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Operational Definitions

Structuring a Definition Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Adam Kennedy,γ€€Why I Am a Nontraditional Studentγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Avoiding "Is Where"γ€€and "Is When"

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€*Ej Garr,γ€€Athlete vs. Role Model

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Firefighters at Ground Zeroγ€€[photograph];γ€€The Tuskegee Airmenγ€€[photograph]

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Do We Distinguish Between Real News and Misinformation?

γ€€γ€€ *Joanna Burkhardt,γ€€History of Fake News

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Jimmy Wales,γ€€What Can We Do to Combat Fake News?

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Adrian Chen,γ€€The Fake News Fallacy

γ€€γ€€γ€€*Katie Langin, Fake News Spreads Faster than True News

*Lee Leetaru,γ€€How Data and Information Literacy Could End Fake News

Template for Writing a Definition Argument

Writing Assignments: Definition Arguments

13β€”Cause-and-Effect Arguments

AT ISSUE: γ€€Does Our Reliance on Social Media Bring Us Together or Drive Us Apart?

What Is a Cause-and-Effect Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Bumper Stickersγ€€[photograph]

Understanding Cause-and-Effect Relationships

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Main and Contributory Causes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Immediate and Remote Causes

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Causal Chains

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Key Words for Cause-and-Effect Arguments [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Post Hocγ€€Reasoning

Structuring a Cause-and-Effect Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Kristina Mialki,γ€€Texting: A Boon, Not a Threat, to Languageγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Avoiding "The reason is because"

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Peggy Orenstein,γ€€Should the World of Toys Be Gender-Free?

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Does Our Reliance on Social Media Bring Us Together or Drive Us Apart?

*Laura Bogart,γ€€I Don’t Own a Smartphone – and I Don’t Want One

*Dimitiry Kozlov,γ€€Social Media: Bringing People Together, Virtually and Physically

*Robert Weiss, Closer Together or Further Apart? Digital Devices and the New Generation Gap

*David Ludden,γ€€Does Using Social Media Make You Lonely?

*Wendy Leung,γ€€I Quit Facebook and I Miss It

*Sherry Turkle,γ€€The Flight from Conversation

Template for Writing a Cause-and-Effect Argument

Writing Assignments: Cause-and-Effect Arguments

14β€”Evaluation Arguments

AT ISSUE: Do the Benefits of Fossil Fuels Outweigh the Environmental Risks?

What Is an Evaluation Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Making Evaluations [box]

  Identifying Bias [box]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Criteria for Evaluation

Structuring an Evaluation Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Kevin Murphy,γ€€Evaluation of a Website: RateMyProfessors.comγ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Comparatives and Superlatives

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Eric Klinenberg,γ€€To Restore Civil Society, Start with the Library

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Do the Benefits of Fracking Outweigh the Environmental Risks?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Joseph Bast and Peter Ferraraγ€€The Social Benefits of Fossil Fuels Far Outweigh the Costs

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Juan Ramos,γ€€Fossil Fuels Pros and Cons

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Bernard McNamee,γ€€This Earth Day, Let’s Accept the Critical Role That Fossil Fuels Play in Energy Needs

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Sean Lennon,γ€€Destroying Precious Land for Gas

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Bruno Comby,γ€€The Benefits of Nuclear Energy

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Barbara Hurd,γ€€Fracking: A Fable

Template for Writing an Evaluation Argument

Writing Assignments: Evaluation Arguments

15β€”Ethical Arguments

AT ISSUE: How Far Should Schools Go to Keep Students Safe?

What is an Ethical Argument?

Stating an Ethical Principle

Ethics versus Law

Understanding Ethical Dilemmas

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Treadlighly.org,γ€€Ride Hard,γ€€Tread Lightlyγ€€[advertisement] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*PETA,γ€€Adopt, Don’t Buyγ€€[advertisement] γ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Linda Pastan,γ€€Ethicsγ€€[poem]γ€€γ€€

Structuring an Ethical Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Chris MuΓ±oz,γ€€Are Colleges Doing Enough for Nontraditional Students?γ€€[student essay] γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: Subordination and Coordination

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Shubhankar Chokra,γ€€The Ethical Case for Eating Animals

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: How Far Should Schools Go to Keep Students Safe?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Evie Blad,γ€€Do Schools’ "Active Shooter" Drills Prepare or Frighten?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Timothy Wheelerγ€€There’s a Reason They Choose Schools

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Sasha Arbramsky, The Fear Industry Goes Back to Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Michael Goldberg,γ€€I’m a School Psychologistβ€”and I Think Teachers Should Be Armed

γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ *Vann Newkirk,γ€€Arming Educators Violates the Spirit of the Second Amendment

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Isothermal Community College,γ€€Warning Signs: How You Can Help Prevent Campus Violence

Template for Writing an Ethical Argument

Writing Assignments: Ethical Arguments


16β€”Proposal Arguments

AT ISSUE: Should the Government Do More to Relieve the Student Loan Burden?

What Is a Proposal Argument?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€PETA,γ€€Let Vegetarianism Grow on Youγ€€[advertisement]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Problem Solving Strategies [box]

Stating the Problem

Proposing a Solutionγ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

Demonstrating That Your Solution Will Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Sunshineweek.org,γ€€Let the Sunshine Inγ€€[advertisement] γ€€

Establishing Feasibility

Discussing Benefits

Refuting Opposing Arguments

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Nyc.gov,γ€€It’s Your City. It’s Your Earth.γ€€[advertisement]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Bernie Sanders,γ€€Medicare for All Is Good for Business

Structuring a Proposal Argument

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Melissa Burrell,γ€€Colleges Need Honor Codesγ€€[student essay]

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT:γ€€Willγ€€versusγ€€Would

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Michelle Wu,γ€€The Road to Fear-Free Driving in Boston

READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE: Should the Government Do More to Relieve the Student-Loan Burden?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Rana Foroohar, The US College Debt Bubble Is Becoming Dangerous

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Richard Vedder,γ€€Forgive Student Loans?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Ben Miller,γ€€Student Debt: It’s Worse Than We Imagined

γ€€γ€€γ€€Sam Adolphsen,γ€€Don’t Blame the Governmentγ€€γ€€γ€€

Astra Taylor,γ€€A Strike against Student Debt

Template for Writing a Proposal Argument

Writing Assignments: Proposal Arguments

Part 5 Review: Combining Argumentative Strategies

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Robert M. Franklin,γ€€RFK’s Still a Leadership Role Model for Youth

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Kevin Carey,γ€€Fulfill George Washington’s Last Wishβ€…β€”β€…a National University


Part 6β€”Debates, Casebooks, and Classic Arguments

DEBATES

17β€” Should We Embrace Self-Driving Cars?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Don Aucoin,γ€€Why We Have the Ethics of Self-Driving Cars All Wrong

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Olivia Goldhill,γ€€Should Driverless Cars Kill Their Own Passengers to Save a Pedestrian?

18β€”Should College Athletes Be Paid?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Randy Bertolas, Jayme Krejci, and Alex Stanleyγ€€Are Colleges and Universities Obligated to Provide Student Athletes with Additional Compensation? (Point)

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€* Randy Bertolas, Jayme Krejci, and Alex Stanleyγ€€Are Colleges and Universities Obligated to Provide Student Athletes with Additional Compensation? (Counterpoint)

19β€”Under What Circumstances Do Bystanders Have an Ethical Obligation to Intervene?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Lenore Skenazy,γ€€How Kitty Genovese Destroyed Childhood

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Joe Nocera,γ€€It’s Hard to Be a Hero

20β€”Should the United States Establish a Universal Basic Income?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ γ€€ γ€€ *Christian Bot,γ€€The Conservative Case for Universal Basic Income

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Geroge Zarkadakas,γ€€The Case Against Universal Basic Income

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

CASEBOOKS

21β€”Should Every American Go to College?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Eric Hoover,γ€€College’s Value Goes Deeper Than the Degree

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Andrew Perry,γ€€Stop Saying College Isn’t for Everyone

*G. Vance, The College Trap: Our Higher Education System Hurts the Poor

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Charlesγ€€Murray,γ€€What's Wrong with Vocational School?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

22β€”How Should We Solve the Opioid Problem?

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ *Ericka Anderson,γ€€The Opioid Epidemic Is a Cultural Problem, It Requires Cultural Solutions

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Stanton Peele,γ€€The Solution to the Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Peter Moore,γ€€The Other Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€*Sally Satel,γ€€The Myth of What’s Driving the Opioid Crisis

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

23β€”Should the United States Have Open Borders?

γ€€*Richard Lamm,γ€€The Liberal Case for Reducing Immigration

*Nick Srineck,γ€€$100 Trillion Case for Open Borders

*John Lee,γ€€Secure the U.S.-Mexico Border: Open It

*Adam Ozemik,γ€€Why I Don’t Support Open Borders

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€

24β€”Does It Pay to Study the Humanities? γ€€

Christina H. Paxson,γ€€The Economic Case for Saving the Humanities

Anthony P. Carnevale and Michelle Melton,γ€€Major Differences: Why Undergraduate Majors Matter

Kim Brooks,γ€€Is It Time to Kill the Liberal Arts Degree?

Thomas Frank,γ€€Course Corrections

25β€”CLASSIC ARGUMENTS

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Plato,γ€€The Allegory of the Cave

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Andrew Marvell,γ€€To His Coy Mistress

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Jonathan Swift,γ€€A Modest Proposal

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Thomas Jefferson,γ€€The Declaration of Independence

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Abraham Lincoln,γ€€The Gettysburg Address

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Elizabeth Cady Stanton,γ€€Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutionsγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€George Orwell,γ€€Politics and the English Languageγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€ Rachel Carson,γ€€The Obligation to Endureγ€€γ€€

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€Betty Friedan,γ€€The Importance of Work

γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€γ€€James Baldwin,γ€€If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?

Appendix Aβ€”Writing Literary Arguments

What Is a Literary Argument?

Stating an Argumentative Thesis

Choosing Evidence

Writing a Literary Argument

Megan McGovern,γ€€Confessions of a Misunderstood Poem: An Analysis of "The Road Not Taken"γ€€[student essay]

Loren Martinez,γ€€Not Just a "Girl"[student essay]


Appendix Bβ€”Documenting Sources: APA

Laurie G. Kirszner

During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emeritus at the University of the Sciences, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program.  Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.


Stephen R. Mandell

During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emeritus at the University of the Sciences, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program.  Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.


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