Perspectives on Argument (5th Edition)
by By Wood, Nancy V.
Category: Language Arts & Disciplines , Rhetoric

This combination rhetoric/reader helps readers develop strategies for critical reading, critical thinking, research, and writing that will help them argue clearly and convincingly in all types of argument. It shows how to identify and develop arguments, read and form reactions and opinions, analyze an audience, seek common ground, and use a wide, realistic range of techniques to write argument papers that express their individual views and original perspectives on modern issues.  The Rhetoric portion includes clear explanations and examples of argument theory and reading and writing processes, research and documentation skills, and offers a variety of writing activities for developing the exploratory paper, position paper, researched position paper, and the Rogerian argument paper. Unique chapters discuss argument styles (including cross-gender and cross-cultural communication styles), Rogerian argument, and argument and literature. The Reader portion includes 75 reading selections covering seven broad issue areas and 18 sub-issues concerning families, education, crime and the treatment of criminals, computers, race and culture in America, genetic engineering, and social responsibility.  Includes 3-7 essays for each sub-issue to provide different perspectives on the questions. The readings in each sub-issue group "talk" to each other, and questions invite readers to join the conversation.  For anyone wanting to further develop their argumentative skills, especially in writing.