Critical thinking and communication (6th ed )

Relating common theoretical models to true-to-life examples from law, ethics, education, and business, the authors stress the importance of argumentation in everyday life as they build reader competence and critical awareness.

Critical Thinking and Communication encourages readers to develop skills in both constructing and refuting arguments in a variety of contexts from informal conversations to structured debates. Through exercises and examples, readers learn how to create arguments, developed extended cases, and how to critically understand and interpret them. The Sixth Edition continues to help readers conceptualize argumentation in the larger framework of verbal and written communication, from public speaking and debating to interpersonal, intercultural, and small group communication.

Preface.

I. DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ARGUMENT.

1. Argument and Critical Thought.

Critical Thought.

Argumentation and Argument

Argument Contexts

2. Co-Orientational View of Argument.

Perspectives on Argumentation

How Argument Perspectives are Used

Arguer-Based Argument

Co-Orientational Approach

3. Argument Cultures and Ethics.

Culture and Argumentation

Ethics and Argumentation

Developing an Ethical Code

II. THE PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT.

4. Claims and Propositions.

Nature of Claims and Propositions.

Formulating a Proposition.

Classification of Claims.

5. Evidence.

Nature of Evidence.

Types of Evidence.

Evaluating Evidence.

Evaluating Statistical Evidence.

Presenting Evidence.

6. Reasoning.

Role of the Advocate

Formal Logic and Practical Reasoning.

Reasoning as Inference Making.

III.PRESENTING AND CRITICALLY EVALUATING ARGUMENTS.

7. Communicating Arguments.

Arguer as Communicator

Characteristics of Recipients

Communication Strategies, Techniques, and Principles

Using Language

8. Argument Analysis and Criticism

Benefits of Argument Analysis

An Approach for Analysis

Understanding Fallacies

IV. DEVELOPING AND ARGUING EXTENDED CASES

9. Case Construction and Arguing About Facts.

Arguing about Facts, Values, and Policies

Relating Facts, Values, and Polices

Issue Mapping

Principles of Case Construction

Principles of Refutation

Developing Fact-Based Cases

10. Arguing About Values.

Values and Value Systems

The Process of Value Change

Values and Argumentation

Stock Issues for Value Arguments

Issues Brief

11. Arguing About Polices.

The Future Nature of Policies

Policy Systems

Stock Issues in Policy Arguments

The Issues Brief

Alternative Formats for Arguing Policies

Alternative Formats for Refuting Policies

Appendix: Answers to Selected Exercises.

On-Line Appendices.

Intercollegiate Debate.

Research Strategies.