Perspectives on Argument

by Nancy V. Wood

This book helps students develop strategies for critical reading, critical thinking, research, and writing that will help them argue clearly and convincingly. It teaches them to identify and develop arguments, to read and form reactions and opinions of their own, to analyze an audience, to seek common ground, and to 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 engaging, class-tested writing assignments and activities. The Reader portion includes 75 reading selections covering seven broad issue areas and 18 more focused areas, all of contemporary concern. Unique chapters discuss student argument styles, Rogerian argument, and argument and literature.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Textbooks

Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of two books I had for English 102 last semester. This is a great resource for anyone who needs help with argument skills and how to write a strong argument-based paper. I'd recommend this to any college student, I even kept mine for later. It has many different styles of argumentation and different models such as the Toulmin model and the Rogerian style, both which we used in English. It also discusses other things such as how to spot fallacies and how to create a strong, logic counterargument. You will also learn how to write without bias and without making yourself look like a fool.

This book really helped me strengthen my argument papers and also helped me to see a lot of the fallacies in our country and our political system and the way that they argue. Even besides argument, this book includes most writing skills for the average college writer. Also a great book for class because of all the assignments throughout and The Reader in the back, which is full of stories and essays to view and discuss.

Overall, a great book on how to make a strong, valid, logical argument in your paper! Write a paper before you use this book and after and you'll be surprised in the difference.

[Meltha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mixed bag of a text. On one hand, some of the more complex concepts of argument were explained pretty well, and the focus on Rogerian argument and common ground was different from the usual. On the other, occasionally the book was less a text on argument and more a text on how to compromise successfully, which, while admirable, isn't necessarily how argument is handled. The weak point, though, was the selection of articles in the reader. There was almost nothing that I would consider college-level appropriate. It was a mix of articles from popular magazines like Time and the like, and oddly, several blogger pieces and personal experience situations, usually very brief. Articles included a child asking about And Tango Makes Three (1/2 a page), an article discussing online dating that was predominantly written by someone who owned a website devoted to it (1 page), and a woman reflecting on her custody situation with her ex-husband. These were more pop pieces than scholarly articles written for college use, and frankly most of them wouldn't usually have passed muster with me as sources for argumentative essays.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definitely a text book, but it is a good one if you are looking for one on the principles, strategies, and techniques for effective argument. I especially appreciated that they included a chapter on Rogerian argumentation.

[Brianna]

This is my English textbook. Usually I hate textbooks, but this one has some pretty interesting essays in it.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baylor textbook for ENG 1304. I used this for the Spring 2015 semester.

[Clare · Rating 1 out of 5]

Semester is done. I am done with this book. Good riddance.