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A Rulebook for Arguments
A Rulebook for Arguments is a succinct introduction to the art of writing and assessing arguments, organized around specific rules, each illustrated and explained soundly but briefly. This widely popular primer - translated into eight languages - remains the first choice in all disciplines for writers who seek straightforward guidance about how to assess arguments and how...more
Paperback, 88 pages
Published
November 1st 2008
by Hackett Publishing Company
(first published 1986)
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Argument here does not refer to the equivalent of a verbal fistfight. Rather, argument refers to reasoning and rhetoric. It is generally persuasive in style, or at least should be, and should reasonably follow standards of logic or critical thinking. Argument is defining, expounding, and defending a proposition or premise. It may also be the reverse if it is aimed at deconstructing an erroneous conclusion.
Therefore, argument is of extreme importance to preachers. It is the preacher’s vocation to...more
Therefore, argument is of extreme importance to preachers. It is the preacher’s vocation to...more
This thin book lists and discusses most rules for argumentation concisely and for that it must be commended. Its weakness–at least in this 3rd edition–lies in its use of certain examples to support certain material. Here's the problem: Most people who engage in arguments fail due to a lack of knowledge or ability in expressing themselves or their position. When this happens, the one who prevails must remember that just because you think you've won the argument, doesn't mean you've won. Your oppo...more
This book is excellent for learning better arguing strategies and learning when other people actually sound like complete morons during an argument.
wow a lot of these logic concepts sound like spells from Harry Potter.
Reductio ad absurdum!
Seriously, a must read for everyone.
Reductio ad absurdum!
Seriously, a must read for everyone.
This quick read was a helpful look into the rules of argument. Nothing earthshaking here, and the examples were a bit brief, but it was altogether worth reading.
I would have liked to see a few problems interspersed for the reader to solve and identify poor uses of argument, however the author was clear that this book was not intended for that, and I believe it was written to serve as a supplement to larger texts that would treat logic more comprehensively.
Again, worth the read. Quick, easy, info...more
I would have liked to see a few problems interspersed for the reader to solve and identify poor uses of argument, however the author was clear that this book was not intended for that, and I believe it was written to serve as a supplement to larger texts that would treat logic more comprehensively.
Again, worth the read. Quick, easy, info...more
I bought this book because I wanted to find a short and simple instructions for planning and writing solid arguments mainly for my thesis. This book is a good refresher while only packing less than 100 pages. Different sections and argument types are divided so that they are in a logical order and easy to find from one place which makes this book easy to use and navigate. Weston also uses examples of good and bad arguments so that the important aspects and even the most common fallacies are cove...more
Dec 24, 2009
Tamara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-school,
non-fiction
Great way to learn how to win an argument. Rules include: present your ideas in a natural order; use definitive, specific, concrete language; provide background information; avoid personal attacks.
Favorite section is the one on fallacies.
Fallacies include:
ad hominem - attacking the person of a source rather than his or her qualifications or reliability
ad ignorantiam - arguing that a claim is true just because it has not been shown to be false
ad misericordiam - appealing to pity as an argument...more
Favorite section is the one on fallacies.
Fallacies include:
ad hominem - attacking the person of a source rather than his or her qualifications or reliability
ad ignorantiam - arguing that a claim is true just because it has not been shown to be false
ad misericordiam - appealing to pity as an argument...more
This book is a must read for anyone who wants to learn the art of debate or who wants to learn how to build arguments to support their perspectives and points of view on life. It was very informative and it takes you through the steps of building an argument from scratch. It teaches you how to build a simple argument, a longer argument, an argument essay, and an oral argument. Hell, I even feel smarter after reading it.
Many books on argument informal logic tend to bog down into encyclopedic explorations of fallacies or pitch a lot of exercises at the reader.
Not this title--at less than 100 pages it selects concision as a goal.
I suspect Weston's book would be a great introductory title for students needing an introduction to the subject. And for the experienced reader who vaguely remembers what modus ponens, modus tollens, and "affirming the consequent" are but needs a refresher for his or her aging brain, it's...more
Not this title--at less than 100 pages it selects concision as a goal.
I suspect Weston's book would be a great introductory title for students needing an introduction to the subject. And for the experienced reader who vaguely remembers what modus ponens, modus tollens, and "affirming the consequent" are but needs a refresher for his or her aging brain, it's...more
"A Rulebook for Arguments" is very practical and useful for formal arguments and college essay writing.
Worth a re-read when you are about to enter into arguments (formal arguments where your opinion is judged by how you present your ideas and how clear and concise they are.)
http://virtuously.blogspot.com/
Worth a re-read when you are about to enter into arguments (formal arguments where your opinion is judged by how you present your ideas and how clear and concise they are.)
http://virtuously.blogspot.com/
Not too much to say on this one as it was more a reference for creating our arguments for research papers. Didn't resonate very much for the writing component as we were already in the midst of creating papers. It was a nice reference when reading scholarly journals or articles.
This book is sort of a cheat sheet for how to structure arguments for an essay. It is appropriate for high school students and undergraduates. The primary value of the book to more advanced writers is that it contains a nice list of all those latin phrases from classical rhetoric.
Mar 13, 2012
Alexander
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
philosophy,
textbooks
A good, concise introductory text about the proper methods of argument and evidence. Useful as a supplementary text in an introductory philosophy course or similar class where the examination of arguments will be central and writing will be done in an argumentative style.
A required and recommended book for those pursuing academic degrees or wanting to make a better life in themselves! This book teaches, in a very friendly manner, how to 'win' and understand what constitutes arguments. Also touches a lot of ground on logic and logical fallacies.
I am not certain when I picked this up. I thought it was part of my undergraduate logic class, but the copyright does not allow for that. I have a vague recollection that I picked this up some time after college to enhance my learning. But I don't really recall.
I had to read this for a class. It is what it says it is, a short book on logic theory. It is fairly simple stuff, but it is also concise enough not to be a waste of time. There is nothing here you haven't seen before, if you have had any classes on basic argumentative theory before, but some of this stuff is a good reminder, and the rule format is interesting.
I'm currently working on collecting some pieces of writing, hopefully to be placed in a book. I didn't begin this book with the idea that it would contribute to this project, but it ended up being an invaluable compliment to the book on writing I was reading at the same time.
I didn't have any knowledge of arguments before going into this book. (Though I do remember the mention of modus tollens, possibly from grade school?) I now plan to apply some of the practices presented in this book to my w...more
I didn't have any knowledge of arguments before going into this book. (Though I do remember the mention of modus tollens, possibly from grade school?) I now plan to apply some of the practices presented in this book to my w...more
Great book that will help me prep for the LSAT
Most of the LSAT studyguides just give the cliff notes. This book went in good detail for the fallacies and proper argumentation. I will continually use this as a reference during my prep.
Most of the LSAT studyguides just give the cliff notes. This book went in good detail for the fallacies and proper argumentation. I will continually use this as a reference during my prep.
A wonderful short introduction to the subject of thinking and writing logically, and of engaging in arguments. Would recommend as a concise reference for the dos and don'ts of conduct for debate.
This is a great tool! For those of us who defend the faith, this is a great book to have in your tool box. Even if you just like to argue, logically, this is the book for you. I highly recommend.
This 85pg book accomplished much of its aim: to be the Elements of Style for Logic. Now in its 4th Ed., the author has refined and expanded the layout so that it reads straight through as well as piecemeal. The author's examples seem to indicate a non-Christian bias at times, but I don't think this detracts from the quality of the instruction given. The expansions in this edition address giving oral and written arguments as well as a section on informal fallacies. This is no end-all discussions...more
Ótima sistematização de regras de argumentação.
Acompanha muito bem a obra "Como vencer um debate sem precisar ter razão" (A. Schopenhauer, comentado por Olavo de Carvalho).
Acompanha muito bem a obra "Como vencer um debate sem precisar ter razão" (A. Schopenhauer, comentado por Olavo de Carvalho).
Jul 01, 2011
Chris
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Students, apologists
Shelves:
apologetics,
2011
Fantastic book to help improve the quality of your arguments & critical thinking. It only takes about 2 hours to read it cover to cover. I would highly recommend for students .
Good introduction, though only an intro. Being concise is where this book shines. It is a staple among college level classes. Not bad, not great.
A good reference, for sure, but somewhat of a slog to read straight though, even for such a short book as it is.
Very short read but essential in my opinion for any student or anyone who has a case to prove and argument to make.
A great short book with suggestions on proper thinking and writing. Newer editions available - I bought one
Pretty basic but useful. They will probably be changing the examples using climate science for the next edition.
I considered using it for a future class to help students understand how to write arguments. It was okay. It had relevant and useful material, but I don't think it will suit my purpose well.
Textbook for my Intro to logic class. Not a bad book considering the subject matter was boring.
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