"This text not only examines argument as an action but also how argument develops as an activity." — Shane Puckett, Louisiana Tech University
"Excellent text, with appropriate traditional argumentative theory and relevant advanced rhetorical theory. Easy to adapt to all varieties of argument courses. Extremely well organized and well written." — Russell T. Church, Middle Tennessee State University
"I enjoyed the text very much. My students found the material accessible and appreciated its affordability." — Mary Husain, California State University, Fresno
"The best and most teachable argumentation text I have read in years. Bless the authors for a text that focuses on argumentative concepts and not contest debating. Most of my students are pre-law or public relations and political communications majors, so this text will serve them well." —Don J. Stanton, Southwest Missouri State University
"A fine text. It offers an excellent balance of theory and practical application elements that allow me to offer students a complete resource." —Brendan Kelly, University of West Florida
371 pages, $51.95 list
1-4786-4769-8
978-1-4786-4769-0
© 2022
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Arguments and Arguing
The Products and Process of Human Decision Making
Fourth Edition
Arguing is a fundamental human activity; it is a process of making sense of the world and negotiating understandings with others. Arguing can be—and often is—healthy for both relationships and societies. The values of the community are shaped through people sharing their opinions, offering reasons in support of their beliefs, and deliberating.
Hollihan and Baaske present techniques for effective analysis, logical reasoning, and socially constructive argumentation. They illustrate their discussions of theory and practice with multiple engaging examples. The book focuses on narrative—argument as a story backed by evidence to evaluate courses of action or to resolve conflicts. A chapter on visual argumentation highlights the power of visual elements in arguments. Effective arguing requires a sensitivity to the demands of different argumentative contexts. Readers will become familiar with the elements of argument essential for politics, the law, debate, business, and relationships.
Narrative arguments are rational arguments. Learning about the narrative reasoning process helps us tell more convincing, credible, and compassionate stories—and to become better critics of the stories we hear.
Hollihan and Baaske present techniques for effective analysis, logical reasoning, and socially constructive argumentation. They illustrate their discussions of theory and practice with multiple engaging examples. The book focuses on narrative—argument as a story backed by evidence to evaluate courses of action or to resolve conflicts. A chapter on visual argumentation highlights the power of visual elements in arguments. Effective arguing requires a sensitivity to the demands of different argumentative contexts. Readers will become familiar with the elements of argument essential for politics, the law, debate, business, and relationships.
Narrative arguments are rational arguments. Learning about the narrative reasoning process helps us tell more convincing, credible, and compassionate stories—and to become better critics of the stories we hear.
Reactions
Part I: PRINCIPLES OF ARGUMENTATION
1. Argumentation as a Human Symbolic Activity
Senses of the Term Argument / Argumentation and Individual Decision Making / Argumentation and Democratic Deliberation / Argumentation and Values / Ethics and Argumentation
2. The Foundations of Argument
Value Implications of Argument / The Narrative Paradigm / The Limits of Argument / The Study of Argumentation
3. Audiences and Fields of Argument
Knowing Your Audience / People Evaluate Arguments Differently / The Principle of Presence / Argument Fields
4. The Language of Argument
Understanding Language / Language and Good Stories / Metaphor
5. Argumentation and Critical Thinking
Propositions / Types of Propositions / The Techniques for Analyzing Propositions
6. Types of Arguments
Inductive Arguments / Deductive Arguments / The Deductive Syllogism / The Toulmin Model
7. The Grounds for Argument
Premises / Examples / Statistics / Testimony
8. Building Arguments
Defining Research / Planning the Research Process / Sources of Information / How to Record the Evidence / What to Look for When Researching / Organizing Your Advocacy
9. Refuting Arguments
The Refutation Process Defined / Focused Listening (Step One) / Critically Evaluating Arguments (Step Two) / Formulating a Response (Step Three) / Presenting Your Response (Step Four)
10. Visual Argument
Physical Images / The Power of Images / Tests of Visual Arguments
Part II: ARGUMENTATION IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS
11. Academic Debate Overview
The Debate Orientation / The Resolution / Three Types of Academic Debating / Format / The Nature of Debate Arguments / Flow Sheeting as Systematic Note Taking
12. Advanced Academic Debate
The Resolution / Hasty Generalizations / Plans and Counterplans / Thinking Strategically / Specialized Debate Formats
13. Argumentation in Politics: Campaigns and Debates
Issues and Voters / Voter Attitudes / Campaigns as Stories / The Structure and Form of Campaign Arguments / Political Debates
14. Argumentation and the Law
The U.S. Judicial System / The Assumptions of the System / The Role of Attorneys in Pretrial Phases / The Role of Attorneys in the Trial
15. Argumentation in Business and Organizations
Competing Interests in Organizations / Preparing Arguments to Meet Objectives / Shaping the Message: Devising Strategies / The Oral Presentation / Encountering Resistance / Follow-Up Activities / The Challenge of Working at a Distance
16. Argumentation in Interpersonal Relationships
Arguing and Conflict Mediation Strategies / A Conversational Theory of Argument / Strategic Dimensions of Conversational Argument / Argumentation and Self-Esteem / The Importance of Empathic Listening
Appendix A: Transcripts of Two Convention Acceptances Speeches, 2020
Appendix B: Eulogy Speech
Appendix C: Case Study for Analysis
1. Argumentation as a Human Symbolic Activity
Senses of the Term Argument / Argumentation and Individual Decision Making / Argumentation and Democratic Deliberation / Argumentation and Values / Ethics and Argumentation
2. The Foundations of Argument
Value Implications of Argument / The Narrative Paradigm / The Limits of Argument / The Study of Argumentation
3. Audiences and Fields of Argument
Knowing Your Audience / People Evaluate Arguments Differently / The Principle of Presence / Argument Fields
4. The Language of Argument
Understanding Language / Language and Good Stories / Metaphor
5. Argumentation and Critical Thinking
Propositions / Types of Propositions / The Techniques for Analyzing Propositions
6. Types of Arguments
Inductive Arguments / Deductive Arguments / The Deductive Syllogism / The Toulmin Model
7. The Grounds for Argument
Premises / Examples / Statistics / Testimony
8. Building Arguments
Defining Research / Planning the Research Process / Sources of Information / How to Record the Evidence / What to Look for When Researching / Organizing Your Advocacy
9. Refuting Arguments
The Refutation Process Defined / Focused Listening (Step One) / Critically Evaluating Arguments (Step Two) / Formulating a Response (Step Three) / Presenting Your Response (Step Four)
10. Visual Argument
Physical Images / The Power of Images / Tests of Visual Arguments
Part II: ARGUMENTATION IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS
11. Academic Debate Overview
The Debate Orientation / The Resolution / Three Types of Academic Debating / Format / The Nature of Debate Arguments / Flow Sheeting as Systematic Note Taking
12. Advanced Academic Debate
The Resolution / Hasty Generalizations / Plans and Counterplans / Thinking Strategically / Specialized Debate Formats
13. Argumentation in Politics: Campaigns and Debates
Issues and Voters / Voter Attitudes / Campaigns as Stories / The Structure and Form of Campaign Arguments / Political Debates
14. Argumentation and the Law
The U.S. Judicial System / The Assumptions of the System / The Role of Attorneys in Pretrial Phases / The Role of Attorneys in the Trial
15. Argumentation in Business and Organizations
Competing Interests in Organizations / Preparing Arguments to Meet Objectives / Shaping the Message: Devising Strategies / The Oral Presentation / Encountering Resistance / Follow-Up Activities / The Challenge of Working at a Distance
16. Argumentation in Interpersonal Relationships
Arguing and Conflict Mediation Strategies / A Conversational Theory of Argument / Strategic Dimensions of Conversational Argument / Argumentation and Self-Esteem / The Importance of Empathic Listening
Appendix A: Transcripts of Two Convention Acceptances Speeches, 2020
Appendix B: Eulogy Speech
Appendix C: Case Study for Analysis