Argumentation: Analysis and Evaluation, Edition 2

The authors begin their treatment of argumentation theory at the same juncture where argumentation also starts in practice: The difference of opinion that occasions the evolvement of the argumentation. Each chapter begins with a short summary of the essentials and ends with a number of exercises that students can use to master the material. Argumentation is the first introductory textbook of this kind. It is intended as a general introduction for students who are interested in a proper conduct of argumentative discourse. Suggestions for further reading are made for each topic and several extra assignments are added to the exercises.

Special features:

• A concise and complete treatment of both the theoretical backgrounds and the practice of argumentation analysis and evaluation.

• Crucial concepts from pragmatics (speech act theory, Grice’s cooperative principle) presented in a non-technical way; introducing the theory of verbal communication.

• The first textbook treatment of strategic maneuvering as a way of balancing being reasonable with being effective

• Exercises and assignments based on real-life texts from a variety of contexts.