How to Argue

Smarter Study Skills

by Alastair Bonnett

The new and expanded edition of this short skills text elucidates key techniques and best practice for ensuring a cohesive, rigorous and convincing argument can be presented within an academic context. Appropriate for students across the disciplines, the author first deconstructs the basic principles that make good argument, and then - using appropriate examples and case studies to illustrate - develops practical skills and techniques for students to apply in their academic career and beyond. Practical exercises encourage self-learning and application of the techniques. Salient Features • Tips, examples, checklists, ';Try This' boxes, 2 colour design. • A common sense, no-nonsense approach that gives students immediate access to the information they need. Relevant content with a focus on key issues and instant solutions. • Each topic is matched to an issue, event or assignment that the student will want to read up on at a time of need. • Each topic will only be a few pages long with practical lists and tips. • Updated and revised content throughout. • Annotated table of contents to help readers find exactly what they need.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Alastair Bonnett is a professor of social geography at Newcastle University. He is the author of several books, including What Is Geography?, How to Argue, Left in the Past, and The Idea of the West. He has also contributed to history and current affairs magazines on a wide variety of topics.

Reviews

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

note i didn’t read the chapter on oral arguments.

so far in my university experience i have never written an argued essay, everything i have written has been rather general and informative rather than argumentative. i’ve never really had any instruction on how to do any different, and while while making an argument in a university essay is very valid and in my case welcomed, in school (before university) the goal is basically to instruct you how not to argue, how to absorb “facts” (which the state instruct we learn… sure…) and how to reproduce textbook sentences into an exam in order to get our final grades and still not really understand anything in the real world outside of school.

anyway. the book is quite good. a little bit basic maybe, but i learned some things and it gave me some ideas. nice.

[Folker de Witte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book makes you wonder why universities neglect to teach you these essential, yet simple, ideas and concepts. It is a book which teaches you how to dissect an argument in order to gain knowledge in contrast with other books which promote egocentric goals, such as to win an argument irrespective of the truth.

[Samar Almossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found chapter one very useful . I would recommend it if you are totally lost in the middle of nowhere. Also, if you are a seeker of a step by step guide to learn how to argue, go for it!.

[Harry Fulgencio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential for students who want to improve their argument skills.

[Mise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential reading in my life that prevented me from falling victim to unnecessary bulshit

[Sim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book but more aimed towards social sciences and humanities rather than natural sciences.