Argumentation and Critical Decision Making

by Richard D. Rieke, Richard D. Reike, Malcolm O. Sillars

The principles of practical reasoning integrated into real world applications is the basic premise behind Professors Richard D. Rieke and Malcom O. Sillars' fourth edition of Argumentation and Critical Decision Making. The most current theories and research are combined with classic rhetoric to effectively explain the necessary functions of decision making in any given situation. With an increased emphasis on critical thinking, Rieke and Sillars help connect critical decisions with audience values and conventions. Real life examples are used to illuminate the principles of argumentation, ranging from interpersonal discussions to formalized conventions of science and law. A new discussion of language and argumentation highlights language practices that have had the most impact on effective argumentation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Communication, Philosophy

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[evil]

Me, like so many others, read this as a textbook for a course. For that purpose I suppose it did its job: now I know a hell of a lot more about argumentation, and most importantly I know the theoretical base of it. Perhaps I’ll pass this course 🤞

Personally I think there were some really cringe examples that didn’t exactly make it easier to understand the content but hey, that’s life. Also since this was written for the American folk it certainly had some traits and issues that don’t necessarily have such a big role in other societies. Nevertheless the opposing examples were a good way to show how argumentation really works in real life.

[Wandering Scribe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it for a course. It was mind-numbingly dull in both presentation and narration.

[John Sorensen]

A textbook for Speech 332. Well organized. I liked the explanation of spheres, and especially chapter 14 about argumentation in government, a MUST reread.

[Kristen Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook for COMM 1270. It helped a lot in learning how to dissect argument and how to write your own.