A Rulebook for Arguments

by Weston, Anthony

Edition:

3rd

ISBN13:

9780872205529

ISBN10:

0872205525

Format:

Paperback

Pub. Date:

1/1/2001

Publisher(s):

Hackett Pub Co Inc

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Questions About This Book?

What version or edition is this?

This is the 3rd edition with a publication date of 1/1/2001.

What is included with this book?

The Used copy of this book is not guaranteed to inclue any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included.

Summary

Updated examples, streamlined text, and the chapter on definition reworked in a rule-based format strengthen this already strong volume. Readers familiar with the previous edition will find a text that retains all the features that make Rulebook ideally suited for use as a supplementary course book -- including its modest price and compact size. Unlike most textbooks on argumentative writing, Rulebook is organised around specific rules, illustrated and explained soundly and briefly. It is not a textbook, but a rulebook, whose goal is to help students get on with writing a paper or assessing an argument.

Preface

Introduction

I. Composing a Short Argument: Some General Rules

(9)

Distinguish premises and conclusion

(2)

Present your ideas in a natural order

(1)

Start from reliable premises

(1)

Be concrete and concise

(1)

Avoid loaded language

(1)

Use consistent terms

(1)

Stick to one meaning for each term

(2)

II. Arguments by Example

(9)

Give more than one example

(1)

Use representative examples

(2)

Background information is crucial

(3)

Consider counterexamples

(2)

III. Arguments by Analogy

(5)

Analogy requires a relevantly similar example

(3)

IV. Arguments from Authority

(8)

Sources should be cited

(1)

Seek informed sources

(2)

Seek impartial sources

(2)

Cross-check sources

(1)

Personal attacks do not disqualify a source

(2)

V. Arguments about Causes

(8)

Explain how cause leads to effect

(2)

Propose the most likely cause

(1)

Correlated events are not necessarily related

(1)

Correlated events may have a common cause

(2)

Either of two correlated events may cause the other

(1)

Causes may be complex

(2)

VI. Deductive Arguments

(13)

Modus Ponens

(1)

Modus Tollens

(2)

Hypothetical Syllogism

(2)

Disjunctive Syllogism

(1)

Dilemma

(1)

Reductio ad absurdum

(2)

Deductive arguments in several steps

(3)

VII. Composing an Argumentative Essay A. Exploring the Issue

(6)

A1. Explore the arguments on all sides of the issue

(2)

A2. Question and defend each argument's premises

(1)

A3. Revise and rethink arguments as they emerge

(2)

VIII. Composing an Argumentative Essay B. Main Points of the Essay

(5)

B1. Explain the question

(1)

B2. Make a definite claim or proposal

(1)

B3. Develop your arguments fully

(1)

B4. Consider objections

(1)

B5. Consider alternatives

(1)

IX. Composing an Argumentative Essay C. Writing

(7)

C1. Follow your outline

(1)

C2. Keep the introduction brief

(1)

C3. Give your arguments one at a time

(2)

C4. Clarify, clarify, clarify

(1)

C5. Support objections with arguments

(1)

C6. Don't claim more than you have shown

(2)

X. Fallacies

(8)

The Two Great Fallacies

(2)

Some Classical Fallacies

(6)

Appendix: Definition

(7)

D1. When terms are unclear, get specific

(2)

D2. When terms are contested, work from the clear cases

(2)

D3. Don't expect definitions to do the work of arguments

(2)

Next Steps