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Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| ©2023 Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
The briefer version of Kirszner and Mandell‘s acclaimed text makes argumentative writing accessible with a scaffolded, step-by-step approach to convey what students need to know about argument, in understandable language. More than ever, successful argumentation is a major part of academic succes...
The briefer version of Kirszner and Mandell‘s acclaimed text makes argumentative writing accessible with a scaffolded, step-by-step approach to convey what students need to know about argument, in understandable language. More than ever, successful argumentation is a major part of academic success—and has plenty of real-world applications. But students don’t benefit when they are bogged down with technical jargon and abstraction. That’s where Practical Argument comes in.
The fifth edition includes 50 percent new readings on current topics such as free speech, diversity in STEM fields, and the value of a college education.
ISBN:9781319485931
Take notes, add highlights, and download our mobile-friendly e-books.
ISBN:9781319332181
Read and study old-school with our bound texts.
ISBN:9781319519056
This package includes Achieve and Paperback.

Helping students succeed as argument writers
The briefer version of Kirszner and Mandell‘s acclaimed text makes argumentative writing accessible with a scaffolded, step-by-step approach to convey what students need to know about argument, in understandable language. More than ever, successful argumentation is a major part of academic success—and has plenty of real-world applications. But students don’t benefit when they are bogged down with technical jargon and abstraction. That’s where Practical Argument comes in.
The fifth edition includes 50 percent new readings on current topics such as free speech, diversity in STEM fields, and the value of a college education.
Features
An accessible, relatable approach. Practical Argument covers everything students need to know about argument without overwhelming them. It limits technical vocabulary to what students and instructors actually need to understand in order to discuss key concepts in argument and argumentative writing.
Engaging and diverse readings that focus on relevant contemporary issues. 38 accessible and thought-provoking professional readings focus on high-interest issues students will want to read about and debate, such as environmental solutions, technology and privacy, student debt, “fake news” and misinformation, immigration, and more.
Unique step-by-step pedagogy based on students’ needs. Kirszner and Mandell’s approach features more than a dozen argument templates; exercises and assignments to guide students toward formal writing; checklists; and source and gloss notes to provide additional context and support. Thirteen sample student essays illustrate the book’s scaffolded writing process.
Achieve with Practical Argument provides a dedicated composition space to guide students through drafting, peer review, Source Check, reflection, and revision. Developed to support best practices in commenting on student drafts, Achieve includes an e-book, fully editable writing assignments based on the text’s approach, reading comprehension quizzes, chapter quizzes, assignable argument templates and At Issue questions, and other interactive materials–all designed to facilitate student engagement.
New to This Edition
Engaging new themes, readings, and visual arguments provide high-interest sources and models for student writing. Fifty percent of the readings throughout the text are new to the fifth edition, including 17 engaging new essays and 5 new visual arguments on popular topics such as the value of a college education, free speech, and diversity in STEM fields.
New coverage of claims helps students develop stronger thesis statements. Chapter 7 (“Planning, Drafting, and Revising an Argumentative Essay”) now includes more detailed information on types of claims, including claims of fact, claims of value, and claims of policy.
New coverage of stasis theory guides students in choosing an argumentative strategy. Stasis theory is now incorporated in Chapter 7, where it is discussed as a strategy for deciding how to structure an argument. The new Appendix A, Combining Argumentative Strategies, demonstrates how arguments can use multiple strategies.
Unique templates for writing and structuring short arguments are now assignable as interactive activities in Achieve.
"Practical Argument initiates students into argumentative writing through a well-crafted scaffolding process. It lays out the foundation of argumentative writing by first introducing the rhetorical triangle and the four pillars of argument, and includes templates and outlines to help students craft their essays."
- Andrea Green, Motlow State Community College"Practical Argument is a comprehensive introduction to the elements and craft of argument written in an accessible style with effective organization and useful coverage of visual arguments."
- Jason DePolo, North Carolina A&T State University"Practical Argument is a coherent, comprehensive book on argumentative and persuasive writing with current issues, templates, casebooks, and a wide variety of student support features."
- David Seelow, The College of Saint Rose

Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| ©2023
Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
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Achieve
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Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| 2023
Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
*New to this edition
Preface
Disciplinary Contents
PART
1 Understanding Argument
An Introduction to Argument
Why Instructors Assign Argument [box]
Defining Argument
What Kinds of Statements Are Not Debatable? [box]
Arguments in Real Life
Winning and Losing Arguments
The Rhetorical Situation
Considering the Writer
Considering the Purpose
Considering the Audience
Considering the Question
Considering the Context
Logos, Pathos, and Ethos
The Appeal to Reason (Logos)
Logos in Action
The Appeal to the Emotions (Pathos)
Pathos in Action
The Appeal to Authority (Ethos)
Ethos in Action
The Rhetorical Triangle
CHAPTER 1 The Four Pillars of Argument
AT ISSUE Is a College Education Worth the Money?
The Elements of Argument
Thesis Statement
Evidence
Refutation
Concluding Statement
→ CHECKLIST: DOES YOUR ARGUMENT STAND UP?
NIA TUCKSON, Why Foreign-Language Study Should Be Required [student essay]
ANDY KESSLER, Learn a Language, But Not a Human One
READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE Is a College Education Worth the Money?
ELLEN RUPPEL SHELL, College May Not Be Worth It Anymore
MARTY NEMKO, We Send Too Many Students to College
*DANIEL RIVERA-IBARRA, Paying It Forward Makes Higher Ed Worth the Price
JENNIE LE, What Does It Mean to Be a College Grad?
*EMMA WHITFORD, Not All Americans Think College Is Worth It
BRYAN CAPLAN, The World Might Be Better Off without College for Everyone
*HUNTER RAWLINGS, College Is Not a Commodity: Stop Treating It Like One
→ TEMPLATE FOR STRUCTURING AN ARGUMENT
PART
2 Reading and Responding to Arguments
CHAPTER 2 Thinking and Reading Critically
AT ISSUE Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything?
Thinking Critically
Using Critical-Thinking Skills [box]
Reading Critically and Actively
Guidelines for Reading Critically [box]
Previewing
Close Reading
Comprehension Clues [box]
JOHN TIERNEY, The Reign of Recycling
Highlighting
Suggestions for Highlighting [box]
LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD, It’s Time to Phase Out Single-Use Plastic
Annotating
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS FOR ANNOTATING
*JOHN VIDAL, The Solution to the Plastic Waste Crisis? It’s Not Recycling
JENNY LUNA, We Are So Forked
Writing a Critical Response
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL READING
NEENA THOMASON, Response to “It’s Time to Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic” [student response]
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A CRITICAL RESPONSE
CHAPTER 3 Reading and Responding to Visual Arguments
AT ISSUE Does Recycling Really Accomplish Anything? (continued)
Visuals versus Visual Arguments [box]
Reading Visual Arguments
Comprehension Clues [box]
National Geographic Cover [visual]
Appeals: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos [box]
Recycling Bar Graph [graph]
*Keep Disposable Face Masks and Gloves Out of Our Waterways! [advertisement]
Recycling Cartoon [cartoon]
Waste Pie Chart [chart]
*Recycle Right! [infographic]
*One-Third of Plastic Packaging Escapes Recycling Systems [advertisement]
Highlighting and Annotating Visual Arguments
What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You [advertisement]
Responding Critically to Visual Arguments
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO VISUAL ARGUMENTS
GABRIEL DUNN, Response to “What Goes in the Ocean Goes in You” [student response]
→ TEMPLATE FOR RESPONDING TO VISUAL ARGUMENTS
CHAPTER 4 Writing a Rhetorical Analysis
AT ISSUE Does It Make Sense to Shop Ethically?
What Is a Rhetorical Analysis?
Overview: “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. [box]
Considering the Rhetorical Situation
Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation [box]
The Writer
Analyzing the Writer [box]
The Writer’s Purpose
Analyzing the Writer’s Purpose [box]
The Writer’s Audience
Analyzing the Writer’s Audience [box]
The Question
Analyzing the Question [box]
The Context
Analyzing the Context [box]
Considering the Means of Persuasion: Logos, Pathos, Ethos
The Appeal to Reason (Logos)
The Appeal to the Emotions (Pathos)
The Appeal to Authority (Ethos)
Considering the Writer’s Rhetorical Strategies
Thesis
Organization
Evidence
Stylistic Techniques
Assessing the Argument
→ CHECKLIST: PREPARING TO WRITE A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
Sample Rhetorical Analysis
DANA THOMAS, Terror’s Purse Strings
DENIZ BILGUTAY, A Powerful Call to Action [student essay]
RAJEEV RAVISANKAR, Sweatshop Oppression
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
JEROME SIEGER, Sweatshops Are Good
CHAPTER 5 Understanding Logic and Recognizing Logical Fallacies
AT ISSUE How Free Should Free Speech Be?
What Is Deductive Reasoning?
Constructing Sound Syllogisms
Syllogism with an Illogical Middle Term
Syllogism with a Key Term Whose Meaning Shifts
Syllogism with Negative Premise
Recognizing Enthymemes
Bumper-Sticker Thinking [box]
Writing Deductive Arguments
CRYSTAL SANCHEZ, College Should Be for Everyone [student essay]
What Is Inductive Reasoning?
Reaching Inductive Conclusions [box]
Making Inferences
Constructing Strong Inductive Arguments
Generalization Too Broad
Atypical Evidence
Irrelevant Evidence
Exceptions to the Rule
Writing Inductive Arguments
*IAN AYRES, Until I’m Told Otherwise, I Prefer to Call You “They”
Recognizing Logical Fallacies
Begging the Question
Circular Reasoning
Weak Analogy
Ad Hominem Fallacy (Personal Attack)
Creating a Straw Man
Hasty or Sweeping Generalization (Jumping to a Conclusion)
Either/Or Fallacy (False Dilemma)
Equivocation
Red Herring
Slippery Slope
You Also (Tu Quoque)
Appeal to Doubtful Authority
Misuse of Statistics
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (After This, Therefore Because of This)
Non Sequitur (It Does Not Follow)
Bandwagon Fallacy
PATRICK J. BUCHANAN, Immigration Time-Out
READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE How Free Should Free Speech Be?
*ARIZONA BAR FOUNDATION, Freedom of Speech: What It Is and What It Isn’t
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, On Freedom of Expression and Campus Speech Codes
*SARA LAVENDUSKI, “Free Speech” Comes with a Price
*PRAVEEN NAIR, Social Media Bans Are about More Than Just Free Speech
*TYLER WATKINS, How Free Should Free Speech Be?
Visual Argument: Football Players Kneeling [photograph]
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENT
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING AN INDUCTIVE ARGUMENT
CHAPTER 6 Rogerian Argument, Toulmin Logic, and Oral Arguments
*AT ISSUE Why Aren’t STEM Fields More Diverse?
Understanding Rogerian Argument
Structuring Rogerian Arguments
Writing Rogerian Arguments
ZOYA KAHN, Why Cell Phones Do Not Belong in the Classroom [student essay]
Understanding Toulmin Logic
Constructing Toulmin Arguments
Writing Toulmin Arguments
JEN DAVIS, Competitive Cheerleaders Are Athletes [student essay]
Understanding Oral Arguments
Planning an Oral Argument
→ CHECKLIST: DESIGNING AND DISPLAYING VISUALS
Delivering Oral Arguments
Dealing with Nervousness [box]
Composing an Oral Argument
*Choosing Presentation Tools [box]
CHANTEE STEELE, An Argument in Support of the “Gap Year” [student speech]
*READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE Why Aren’t STEM Fields More Diverse?
STUART REGES, Why Women Don’t Code
BARBARA OAKLEY, Why Do Women Shun STEM? It’s Complicated
*MEREDITH REICHES AND SARAH S. RICHARDSON, We Dug into Data to Disprove a Myth about Women in STEM
*MARIA TEMMING, STEM’s Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Gaps Are Still Strikingly Large
*BARBARA MORAN, Is Science Too Straight?
*Visual Argument: Diversity in STEM [poster]
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A ROGERIAN ARGUMENT
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A TOULMIN ARGUMENT
PART
3 Writing an Argumentative Essay
CHAPTER 7 Planning, Drafting, and Revising an Argumentative Essay
AT ISSUE Should All College Campuses Go Green?
Choosing a Topic
Topics to Avoid
Thinking about Your Topic
Freewriting
Brainstorming
Clustering
Informal Outline
Drafting a Thesis Statement
*Types of Claims [box]
Understanding Your Purpose and Audience
Gathering Evidence
Evaluating the Evidence in Your Sources
Detecting Bias in Your Sources
Using Visuals as Evidence [box]
Refuting Opposing Arguments
Strategies for Refuting Opposing Arguments
Revising Your Thesis Statement
Structuring Your Essay
Supplying Background Information [box]
Using Induction and Deduction
*Identifying a Strategy for Your Argument: Applying Stasis Theory
Constructing a Formal Outline
Establishing Credibility
Being Well Informed
Being Reasonable
Being Fair
Maintaining Your Credibility [box]
Drafting Your Essay
Suggested Transitions for Argument [box]
GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: USING PARALLELISM
Revising Your Essay
Asking Questions
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ESSAY’S PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ESSAY’S STRUCTURE AND STYLE
→ CHECKLIST: QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ESSAY’S SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Using Outlines and Templates
Getting Feedback
Guidelines for Peer Review [box]
Polishing Your Essay
Editing and Proofreading
GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT: CONTRACTIONS VERSUS POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
Choosing a Title
Checking Format
SHAWN HOLTON, Going Green [student essay]
PART
4 Using Sources to Support Your Argument
CHAPTER 8 Finding and Evaluating Sources
*AT ISSUE How Concerned Should We Be about Our Privacy in the Digital Age?
Finding Sources
Finding Information in the Library
Finding Information on the Internet
Using Google Scholar [box]
Evaluating Sources
*TATUM HUNTER, QR Codes Are a Privacy Problem—But Not for the Reasons You’ve Heard
*EDWARD J. MARKEY AND ORRIN HATCH, Protecting Student Privacy in the Digital Age
Evaluating Websites
Reliable versus Unreliable Websites [box]
Using a Site’s URL to Assess Its Objectivity [box]
Avoiding Confirmation Bias [box]
*THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, Home Page [website]
*INSTYLE MAGAZINE, Home Page [website]
*DAVID HUDSON, Student-Athletes Have a Right to Peaceful Protest
CHAPTER 9 Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Synthesizing Sources
AT ISSUE How Concerned Should We Be about Our Privacy in the Digital Age? (continued)
Summarizing Sources
When to Summarize [box]
Summarizing Sources [box]
Paraphrasing Sources
When to Paraphrase [box]
Paraphrasing Sources [box]
Quoting Sources
When to Quote [box]
Quoting Sources [box]
SHELLEY FRALIC, Don’t Fall for the Myths about Online Privacy
Working Source Material into Your Argument
Using Identifying Tags
Templates for Using Identifying Tags [box]
Working Quotations into Your Sentences
Distorting Quotations [box]
Synthesizing Sources
Synthesizing Sources [box]
CHAPTER 10 Documenting Sources: MLA
Why Document Sources? [box]
Using In-Text Citations
Preparing the Works-Cited List
What to Include in a Works-Cited Entry [box]
Periodicals
Books
Visual, Audio, and Multimedia Sources
Internet Sources
Other Sources
MLA Paper Guidelines [box]
ERIN BLAINE, Should Data Posted on Social-Networking Sites Be “Fair Game” for Employers? [model MLA paper]
CHAPTER 11 Using Sources Responsibly
*AT ISSUE What Should Be Done about Plagiarism?
Understanding Plagiarism
Two Definitions of Plagiarism [box]
Intentional Plagiarism [box]
Avoiding Unintentional Plagiarism
Internet Sources and Plagiarism [box]
Knowing What to Document
ERIKA RAMIREZ, When Beyoncé’s Inspiration Turns into Imitation
Revising to Eliminate Plagiarism
*READING AND WRITING ABOUT THE ISSUE What Should Be Done about Plagiarism?
TRIP GABRIEL, Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age
JENNIFER MOTT-SMITH, Bad Idea about Writing: Plagiarism Deserves to Be Punished
*SUSAN H. GREENBERG, Why Colleges Should Ditch Honor Codes
RICHARD A. POSNER, The Truth about Plagiarism
*ELIZABETH REDDEN, Cheating across Cultures
*Visual Argument: Website Advertising Term Papers for Sale
→ TEMPLATE FOR WRITING AN ARGUMENT ABOUT PLAGIARISM
→ WRITING ARGUMENTS: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT PLAGIARISM?
*APPENDIX A Combining Argumentative Strategies
ROBERT M. FRANKLIN, RFK’s Still a Leadership Role Model for Youth
APPENDIX B Writing Literary Arguments
What Is a Literary Argument?
Stating an Argumentative Thesis
Choosing Evidence
Writing a Literary Argument
MEGAN McGOVERN, Confessions of a Misunderstood Poem: An Analysis of “The Road Not Taken” [student essay]
LOREN MARTINEZ, Not Just a “Girl” [student essay]
APPENDIX C Documenting Sources: APA
Using In-Text Citations
Preparing a Reference List
Examples of APA References
Periodicals
Books
Internet Sources
Student Essay
APA Paper Guidelines [box]
DENIZ BILGUTAY, The High Cost of Cheap Counterfeit Goods [model APA paper]
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Subject Index
Index of Titles and Authors

Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| 2023
Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
Authors

Laurie G. Kirszner
During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emerita at St. Joseph University, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program. Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English, Emeritus at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.

Stephen R. Mandell
During their long collaboration, Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell have written a number of best-selling college texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Patterns for College Writing, Foundations First, Writing First, Focus on Writing, and, most recently, Practical Argument. Laurie Kirszner is a Professor of English, Emerita at St. Joseph University, where she has taught composition, literature, creative writing, and scientific writing, and served as coordinator of the first-year writing program. Stephen Mandell is a Professor of English, Emeritus at Drexel University, where he founded and directed the basic writing program and has taught composition, literature, speech, and technical and business writing.

Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| 2023
Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
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Practical Argument: Short Edition
Fifth Edition| 2023
Laurie G. Kirszner; Stephen R. Mandell
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Practical Argument
Laurie Kirszner; Stephen Mandell | Fifth Edition | 2023 | ISBN:9781319332150Select a demo to view:

