Thank You for Arguing, Third Edition: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion

4.5 | 1,355 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 08-31-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Heatherlyn S

Perfect for AP Language & Composition

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019

I use this book with my AP Language & Composition classes, and when polled as to whether this book should remain as a class read, students overwhelmingly agree this book helps them understand the "ins and outs" of argument. My students find this book accessible, entertaining, and a good introduction to argument writing. They appreciate the text boxes offering definitions, further explanations, or short anecdotes that appear in the margin of many pages, finding them both engaging and useful for their understanding. In addition, many of them find "The Tools" section at the end of each chapter to be an excellent review of the chapter contents.

David Austin

Excellent for High School & College Courses

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018

I have been utilizing this book for my college speech course for the last 2 years. The students sit in a circle and discuss 2 or 3 chapters (depending on the length). Since I have 30 students and there are 30 chapters, each student is assigned a chapter and are the experts on the chapter--they teach what they learned. Also, the student prepares 2 or 3 discussion questions for students to generate discussion. It is an effective way to teach. I empower them to teach each other and every day amazing things happen in the classroom. It is an enjoyable experience to walk into a classroom and have students excited to discuss the readings and participate in the class discussion readily. The book makes my teaching easy. The examples in the book allows us to have discussions on deeper topics of race, inequity, gun control, the me too movement, politics, religion and so much more. My students tell me that it is one of the only books they have actually read cover to cover. In fact, some students begin reading it again after we finish to get a deeper understanding of the material. As a college professor, I can tell you this never happens in other courses with textbooks.

Adam

A Mid-career Computer Engineer's Perspective

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020

I am a practicing Computer Engineer who was educated in the era when Computer Engineering was still called Electrical Engineering. Suffice it to say, I am well versed in Formal Logic (from an engineering, not philosophy perspective) but am not formally trained in Rhetoric. Any training I had in persuasive writing was long ago and is long since forgotten. I am also, generally speaking, a reader for utility, not for pleasure. This is my first review of a book (or anything for that matter) on Amazon.

With this perspective established, I will say that I found myself educated, entertained, compelled and persuaded by this book. Not the avid book reader, I read this in two days, two sittings. And, I am now writing this review,... at 3:41am on a work day. Compelled indeed! The fact that I found it persuasive is the strongest evidence of value given it's purpose. I also recognize that it will serve as a valuable reference in my attempts to persuade going forward. Now, I should say that although I do not agree with all of the arguments the author makes whilst explaining the art of argument, I do appreciate his perspective. I feel he does short change formal logic, but that may be due to my perspective, just as much as his. And, maybe, there should be more that one rule.? In any case, I look forward to applying what I gained from this wonderfully effective book.

Cole Christensen

Not bad, slightly disingenuous, awkwardly silly

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2017

There's a fuzzy line between arguing and manipulation and that line is sometimes crossed here.

Have you ever noticed someone talking to you and clearly but subtly trying to manipulate you? It's slightly annoying and comes off as disingenuous, which the best rhetoric shouldn't be at all. You get the sense that the author is trying to use his occasionally slightly manipulative tricks on you and it as well as the cultural references come off as a little bit tacky. It's a good book nonetheless.

I'd like to find a better book about rhetoric that comes at it with slightly more decorum and respect.

bibliophile

Clear, Practical, Entertaining, and Sufficiently detailed

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2019

In a relaxed and conversational style, Heinrichs explains the differences between arguing and conflict. In our public and private life, Americans today basically shout at each other and seldom engage in anything which might persuade each other to change our opinion(s). The author shows the many ways to argue/persuade and many of the pitfalls to avoid. He supplies practical, everyday English words for forms of argument, fallacies, etc., but for the scholar he also supplies the usual Greek or Latin terms. This is a useful reminder for us old-timers and a valuable tool for college and high-school classes.

nobel

Comprehensive and Fun to read

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2019

Going in blind was quite the experience. I had expected a typical monotonous text full of only facts and logic that didn't cater to a teenager's attention span. However, this book quickly intrigued me when it not only took an effort to keep my attention, it also included pop culture references that made me feel more connected to the information. It made the great Rhetoricians feel more human and fleshed out instead of simply giving them blind praise. The author took great notice to also include lots of personal stories about him, his family and coworkers that made me feel as if the author's purpose wasn't just to inform but to entertain as well. I found this book to be an amazing stepping stone in my path to total manipula- I mean, persuasion of anyone I would happen to be arguing with, and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who may feel a bit of persuasion may be needed in their life.

Madyson Brooks

it was okay

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023

i had to buy this book for a school project. i wouldn’t normally read or buy something like this but once i started reading it and putting its content to use my writing did get better. it’s boring but worth it if you struggle with writing

Priscilla G.

Used it info still intact

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023

Great book! Came used but that is because I bought it second hand. The information and everything was great so 10/10.

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