The Well-Crafted Argument: A Guide and Reader

by Fred D. White, Simone J. Billings

This argument rhetoric/reader equips students with a complete set of skills for developing and writing argumentative essays in a wide variety of settings. The book has two parts: The Rhetoric of Argument, a guide to understanding and writing arguments, and The Reading Clusters, a collection of 75 high-interest readings.

After exploring the foundations of writing persuasively in Part 1, the second part of the book provides 75 readings organized thematically in reading clusters. Eight of the nine reading clusters in Section 2 present opposing and contrasting viewpoints on such controversial subjects as Internet privacy, media violence, and standardized testing. The ninth reading cluster features classic arguments, including Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Skill-building exercises and projects help students apply what they learn and make the material their own. Each chapter ends with helpful pedagogical tools: a Chapter Summary, Checklist, and Writing Projects. In addition to guidance on drafting arguments, writing openings and closings, and revising, a variety of composing strategies are covered as they apply to writing arguments, including free-writing, outlining, and organizing materials.

Genres: Philosophy, Textbooks, Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

815 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2001

Reviews

[Kellie Cunningham · Rating 1 out of 5]

blechhhhhhh

[esther · Rating 1 out of 5]

ewww school

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, for me this book really failed to deliver.

It didn't go very in-depth into how to craft an argument and often left rather broad and vague instructions as to just what to do. The text itself was sterile, rarely engaging the reader and entertaining them. It lacked a cadence, and as such ended up being unbearably boring to get through.

I've heard it said that everything one needs to know about writing can be learned from three sources: The Elements of Style, On Writing by Stephen King, and a well-stocked bookshelf.

I'd argue that one would do better reading those two books and some classical philosophy than delving into a textbook such as this.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Although it gives a good overview on three different approaches (Classical, Toulmin, Rogerian) and delves into some of the common errors of reasoning, it fails to really offer much in how to actually craft a good argument. Writing is, ironically, difficult to learn from a book but this attempt does not add much beyond fairly sterile directions and axioms.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad as far as textbooks go.