Concise in a thoughtful way, Practical Argument is argument simplified. Practical Argument is both a text and reader, and it includes everything students and instructors need for an argument course. The focused coverage in Practical Argument doesn’t leave out essentials, but brings argument down to a manageable size. It clearly explains and illustrates the writing process and introduces students to classic Aristotelian argument (including logic and fallacies) and Toulmin and oral argument, and covers research.
Kirszner and Mandell provide a unique pedagogy because they know what students need. Thorough and helpful editorial features provide a step-by-step approach to give students what they need to know and practice what they learn.
- A focused thematic approach ties instruction, readings, and assignments to a current controversial issue per chapter to help students learn argumentation in context. Topics such as “green” campuses, student credit cards, and campus safety have real meaning in students’ lives and offer issues they can sink their teeth into.
- A dozen unique argument templates are integrated into the text. They provide a helpful structure as students write critical and analytical responses that include their own points of view.
- Exercises and writing assignments for each selection guide students toward formal writing.
- Checklists, grammar-in-context and summary boxes, and source and gloss notes provide additional context and help.
Contemporary, lively, and interesting readings focus on topics that are directly relevant to students’ lives. Students learn best when they care about and are engaged in an issue, so selections in Practical Argument include arguments about the drawbacks of using Wikipedia for research, privacy in the age of Facebook, and the merits of lowering the drinking age. 92 professional selections and 18 student essays are included throughout the text, and a full anthology provides 30 additional readings in debates, casebooks, and classic arguments.
An open, full-color design with a wide range of visuals makes argument accessible and relevant. The fresh, contemporary look of Practical Argument helps students understand argument at the same time it reinforces the currency of its themes. Over a hundred visuals such as ads, graphic novel excerpts, cartoons, graphs, and Web pages provide realistic, real-world examples for students, and a lively, up-to-date look.