This print textbook is available for students to rent for their classes. The Pearson print rental program provides students with affordable access to learning materials, so they come to class ready to succeed.  For courses in Argument and Research. Argument through problem solving Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Concise Edition, has sustained its reputation as a leader in argumentation through 10 editions, and that’s no coincidence. Authors Ramage, Bean, and Johnson present argument as a process of inquiry and a means of persuasion — not as a pro/con debate with winners and losers. This, in turn, promotes the essential critical-thinking skills needed for writing effective arguments. In the 8th Edition, you’ll continue to find all the signature strengths — major assignment chapters that focus on one or two stases; discussion prompts and end-of-chapter writing assignments that reinforce concepts; comprehensive coverage of research and documentation; and a logical, yet flexible, approach. But now, you’ll also find a book that promises to increase understanding of the value of argument and help them negotiate the rhetorical divisiveness in today’s world.

Table of Contents:
I. PRINCIPLES OF ARGUMENT  1. Argument: An Introduction  What Do We Mean by Argument?      Argument Is Not a Fight or a Quarrel      Argument Is Not Pro-Con Debate      Arguments Can Be Explicit or Implicit  An Explicit Argument Opposing Legalization of Marijuana  The Defining Features of Argument      Argument Requires Justification of Its Claims      Argument Is Both a Process and a Product      Argument Combines Truth-Seeking and Persuasion  Argument and the Problem of Truth in the 21st Century For Writing and Discussion: Role-Playing Arguments 2. The Core of an Argument: A Claim with Reasons The Classical Structure of Argument Classical Appeals and the Rhetorical Triangle  Issue Questions as the Origins of Argument    Difference between an Issue Question and an Information Question     How to Identify an Issue Question For Writing and Discussion: Information Questions Versus Issue Questions     Difference between a Genuine Argument and a Pseudo-Argument For Writing and Discussion: Reasonable Arguments Versus Pseudo-Arguments Frame of an Argument: A Claim Supported by Reasons     What Is a Reason?     Expressing Reasons in Because Clauses For Writing and Discussion: Developing Claims and Reasons  Writing Assignment: An Issue Question and Working Thesis Statements 3. The Logical Structure of Arguments: Logos An Overview of Logos: What Do We Mean by the “Logical Structure” of an Argument?     Formal Logic Versus Real-World Logic     The Role of Assumptions     The Core of an Argument: The Enthymeme     The Power of Audience-Based Reasons For Writing and Discussion: Identifying Underlying Assumptions and Choosing Audience-Based Reasons Adopting a Language for Describing Arguments: The Toulmin System For Writing and Discussion: Developing Enthymemes with the Toulmin Schema Using Toulmin’s Schema to Plan and Test Your Argument     Hypothetical Example: Cheerleaders as Athletes First Part of Chandale’s Argument Continuation of Chandale’s Argument     Extended Student Example: Girls and Violent Video Games Carmen Tieu (Student Essay), Why Violent Video Games Are Good for Girls     The Thesis-Governed “Self-Announcing” Structure of Classical Argument For Writing and Discussion: Reasons, Warrants, and Conditions of Rebuttal Writing Assignment: Plan of an Argument’s Details 4. Using Evidence Effectively Kinds of Evidence The Persuasive Use of Evidence     Apply the STAR Criteria to Evidence     Establish a Trustworthy Ethos     Be Mindful of a Source’s Distance from Original Data Rhetorical Understanding of Evidence     Angle of Vision and the Selection and Framing of Evidence For Writing and Discussion: Creating Contrasting Angles of Vision     Rhetorical Strategies for Framing Evidence     Strategies for Framing Statistical Evidence For Writing and Discussion: Using Strategies to Frame Statistical Evidence     Creating a Plan for Gathering Evidence Writing Assignment: A Supporting-Reasons Argument 5. Moving Your Audience: Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos Logos, Ethos, and Pathos as Persuasive Appeals: An Overview How to Create an Effective Ethos: The Appeal to Credibility How to Create Pathos: The Appeal to Beliefs and Emotions     Use Concrete Language     Use Specific Examples and Illustrations     Use Narratives     Use Words, Metaphors, and Analogies with Appropriate Connotations For Writing and Discussion: Incorporating Appeals to Pathos Kairos: The Timeliness and Fitness of Arguments For Writing and Discussion: Analyzing an Argument from the Perspectives of Logos, Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos Using Images to Appeal to Logos, Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos For Writing and Discussion: Analyzing Images as Appeals to Pathos How Audience-Based Reasons Appeal to Logos, Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos For Writing and Discussion: Planning an Audience-Based Argumentative Strategy Writing Assignment: Revising a Draft for Ethos, Pathos, and Audience-Based Reasons 6. Responding to Objections and Alternative Views One-Sided, Multisided, and Delayed-Thesis Arguments Determining Your Audience’s Resistance to Your Views Appealing to a Supportive Audience: One-Sided Argument Appealing to a Neutral or Undecided Audience: Classical Argument     Summarizing Opposing Views     Refuting Opposing Views     Strategies for Rebutting Evidence     Conceding to Opposing Views     Example of a Student Essay Using Refutation Strategy  Trudie Makens (Student Essay), Bringing Dignity to Workers: Make the Minimum Wage a Living Wage For Writing and Discussion: Refutation Strategies Appealing to a Resistant Audience: Delayed-Thesis Argument     ALEXANDER CHANCELLOR, Oh, How I Will Miss the Plastic Bag     Writing a Delayed-Thesis Argument     Writing Assignment: A Classical Argument or a Delayed Thesis Argument Reading Lauren Shinozuka (Student Essay), The Dangers of Digital Distractedness II. ENTERING AN ARGUMENTATIVE CONVERSATION 7. Analyzing Arguments Rhetorically Thinking Rhetorically about a Text Reconstructing a Text’s Rhetorical Context     Author, Motivating Occasion, and Purpose     Audience     Genre     Angle of Vision Asking Questions That Promote Rhetorical Thinking Conducting a Rhetorical Analysis of a Source Text     KATHRYN JEAN LOPEZ, Egg Heads For Writing and Discussion: Identifying Rhetorical Features     Our Own Rhetorical Analysis of “Egg Heads” Writing Assignment: A Rhetorical Analysis Readings     ELLEN GOODMAN, Womb for Rent Zachary Stumps (Student Essay), A Rhetorical Analysis Of Ellen Goodman’s “Womb For Rent” 8. Argument as Inquiry: Reading, Summarizing, and Speaking Back Finding Issues to Explore     Do Some Initial Brainstorming     Be Open to the Issues All Around You     Explore Ideas by Freewriting For Writing and Discussion: Responding to Visual Arguments About a Living Wage     Explore Ideas by Idea Mapping     Explore Ideas by Playing the Believing and Doubting Game For Writing and Discussion: Playing the Believing and Doubting Game Summarizing a Stakeholder’s Argument     JAMES SUROWIECKI, The Pay Is Too Damn Low     Thinking Steps for Writing a Summary For Writing and Discussion: Does/Says Statements     Examples of Summaries Responding to a Stakeholder’s Argument     Practicing Believing: Willing Your Own Acceptance of the Writer’s Views     Practicing Doubting: Willing Your Own Resistance to the Writer’s Views For Writing and Discussion: Raising Doubts About Surowiecki’s Argument Thinking Dialectically For Writing and Discussion: Practicing Dialectic Thinking with Two Articles     MICHAEL SALTSMAN, To Help the Poor, Move Beyond “Minimum” Gestures     Three Ways to Foster Dialectic Thinking Writing Assignment: An Argument Summary or a Formal Exploratory Essay Reading Trudie Makens (Student Essay), Should Fast-Food Workers Be Paid $15 per Hour? III. EXPANDING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ARGUMENT 9. Making Visual and Multimodal Arguments Understanding Visual Design Elements in Multimodal Argument     The Components of Visual Design     An Analysis of a Multimodal Argument Using Type and Spatial Elements     An Analysis of a Multimodal Argument Using All the Design Components For Writing and Discussion: Analyzing an Advocacy Ad The Compositional Features of Photographs and Drawings     Compositional Features to Examine in Photos and Drawings     An Analysis of a Multimedia Video Argument Using Words, Images, and Music The Genres of Multimodal Argument     Posters and Fliers     Public Affairs Advocacy Advertisements For Writing and Discussion: Analyzing Posters Rhetorically     Cartoons For Writing and Discussion: Analyzing Cartoons     Websites     Advocacy Videos Constructing Your Own Multimodal Arguments     Guidelines for Creating the Visual Elements in Posters, Fliers, and Advocacy Ads     Guidelines for Creating Video Arguments For Writing and Discussion: Developing Ideas for an Advocacy Ad or Poster Argument Using Information Graphics in Arguments     How Tables Contain a Variety of Stories     Using a Graph to Tell a Story     Incorporating Graphics into Your Argument     A Note on How Graphics Frame Data Rhetorically Writing Assignment: A Rhetorical Analysis of a Visual Argument, a Multimedia Poster, a Cartoon, or a Short Argument Using Quantitative Data 10. An Alternative to Argument: Collaborative Rhetoric The Appropriateness and Usefulness of Collaborative Rhetoric The Principles of Collaborative Rhetoric     Practicing Nonjudgmental Listening     Identifying Values, Emotions, and Identities     Seeking Common Ground     Promoting Openness to Ongoing Communication and Change For Writing and Discussion: Listening Empathically and Seeking Common Ground Preparing for Collaborative Rhetoric Through Reflective Writing and Discussion     Preparing for Collaborative Rhetoric Through Reflective Writing     Practicing Collaborative Rhetoric in Discussion Writing an Open Letter as Collaborative Rhetoric Colleen Fontana (Student Essay), An Open Letter to Robert Levy in Response to His Article “They Never Learn” Writing Assignment: An Open Letter as Collaborative Rhetoric Reading Monica Allen (Student Essay), An Open Letter to Christopher Eide in Response to His Article “High-Performing Charter Schools Can Close the Opportunity Gap” IV. FOUR ARGUMENTS IN DEPTH: TYPES OF CLAIMS 11. An Introduction to the Types of Claims The Types of Claims and Their Typical Patterns of Development For Writing and Discussion: Identifying Types of Claims Using Claim Types to Focus an Argument and Generate Ideas: An Example     Writer 1: Ban E-Cigarettes     Writer 2: Promote E-Cigarettes as a Preferred Alternative to Real Cigarettes     Writer 3: Place No Restrictions on E-Cigarettes Hybrid Arguments: How Claim Types Work Together in Arguments     Some Examples of Hybrid Arguments     An Extended Example of a Hybrid Argument For Writing and Discussion: Exploring Different Claim Types and Audiences     ALEX HUTCHINSON, Your Daily Multivitamin May Be Hurting You 12. Definition and Resemblance Arguments What Is at Stake in an Argument about Definition and Resemblance?     Consequences Resulting from Categorical Claims The Rule of Justice: Things in the Same Category Should Be Treated the Same Way For Writing and Discussion: Applying the Rule of Justice Types of Categorical Arguments     Simple Categorical Arguments For Writing and Discussion: Supporting and Rebutting Simple Categorical Claims     Definition Arguments     Resemblance Argument Using Analogy For Writing and Discussion: Developing Analogies     Resemblance Arguments Using Precedent For Writing and Discussion: Using Claims of Precedent Examining Visual Arguments: Claim about Category (Definition) The Criteria-Match Structure of Definition Arguments     Overview of Criteria-Match Structure     Toulmin Framework for a Definition Argument For Writing and Discussion: Identifying Criteria and Match Issues     Creating Criteria Using Aristotelian Definition     Creating Criteria Using an Operational Definition     Conducting the Match Part of a Definition Argument Idea-Generating Strategies for Creating Your Own Criteria-Match Argument     Strategy 1: Research How Others Have Defined the Term     Strategy 2: Create Your Own Extended Definition For Writing and Discussion: Developing a Definition Writing Assignment: A Definition Argument Exploring Ideas Identifying Your Audience and Determining What’s at Stake     Organizing a Definition Argument     Questioning and Critiquing a Definition Argument Reading     Alex Mullen (Student Essay), A Pirate But Not a Thief: What Does “Stealing” Mean in a Digital Environment? 13. Causal Arguments An Overview of Causal Arguments     Kinds of Causal Arguments     Toulmin Framework for a Causal Argument For Writing and Discussion: Developing Causal Chains Two Methods for Arguing That One Event Causes Another     First Method: Explain the Causal Mechanism Directly     Second Method: Infer Causal Links Using Inductive Reasoning For Writing and Discussion: Developing Plausible Causal Chains Based on Correlations Examining Visual Arguments: A Causal Claim Key Terms and Inductive Fallacies in Causal Arguments     A Glossary of Key Terms For Writing and Discussion: Brainstorming Causes and Constraints Writing Assignment: A Causal Argument     Exploring Ideas     Identifying Your Audience and Determining What’s at Stake     Organizing a Causal Argument     Questioning and Critiquing a Causal Argument Reading     Jesse Goncalves (Student Essay), What Causes Math Anxiety? 14. Evaluation and Ethical Arguments An Overview of Categorical and Ethical Evaluation Arguments Constructing a Categorical Evaluation Argument     Criteria-Match Structure of Categorical Evaluations     Developing Your Criteria     Making Your Match Argument Examining Visual Arguments: An Evaluation Claim For Writing and Discussion: Developing Criteria and Match Arguments Constructing an Ethical Evaluation Argument     Consequences as the Base of Ethics     Principles as the Base of Ethics     Example Ethical Arguments Examining Capital Punishment For Writing and Discussion: Developing an Ethical Argument Common Problems in Making Evaluation Arguments Writing Assignment: An Evaluation or Ethical Argument     Exploring Ideas     Identifying Your Audience and Determining What’s at Stake     Organizing an Evaluation Argument     Questioning and Critiquing a Categorical Evaluation Argument     Critiquing an Ethical Argument Readings Lorena Mendoza-Flores (Student Essay), Silenced and Invisible: Problems of Hispanic Students at Valley High School JUDITH DAAR AND EREZ ALONI, Three Genetic Parents—For One Healthy Baby 15. Proposal Arguments The Special Features and Concerns of Proposal Arguments     Practical Proposals Versus Policy Proposals     Toulmin Framework for a Proposal Argument     Special Concerns for Proposal Arguments Examining Visual Arguments: A Proposal Claim Developing a Proposal Argument     Convincing Your Readers That a Problem Exists     Explaining the Proposed Solution: Showing the Specifics of Your Proposal     Offering a Justification: Convincing Your Readers That the Benefits of Your Proposal Outweigh the Costs Using Heuristic Strategies to Develop Supporting Reasons for Your Proposal     The Claim Types Strategy For Writing and Discussion: Generating Ideas Using the Claim Types Strategy     The Stock Issues Strategy For Writing and Discussion: Brainstorming Ideas for a Proposal Proposal Arguments as Advocacy Posters or Advertisements Writing Assignment: A Proposal Argument     Exploring Ideas     Identifying Your Audience and Determining What’s at Stake     Organizing a Proposal Argument     Designing a One-Page Advocacy Poster or Advertisement     Designing PowerPoint Slides or Other Visual Aids for a Speech     Questioning and Critiquing a Proposal Argument Readings Ivan Snook (Student Essay), Flirting with Disaster: An Argument against Integrating Women into the Combat Arms Sandy Wainscott (Student Essay), Why McDonald’s Should Sell Meat and Veggie Pies: A Proposal to End Subsidies for Cheap Meat 82 Appendix 1: Informal Fallacies Appendix 2: A Concise Guide to Evaluating, Using, and Documenting Sources Credits Index