Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Concise Edition, MLA Update Edition (7th Edition)

For courses in Argument and Research.

This version of Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Concise has been updated the reflect the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook (April 2016) * 

Teach students to read arguments critically and to produce effective arguments

Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Concise Edition, Seventh Edition integrates four different approaches to argument: the enthymeme as a logical structure, the classical concepts of logos, pathos, and ethos, the Toulmin system, and stasis theory. Focusing on argument as dialogue in search of solutions instead of a pro-con debate with winners and losers, it is consistently praised for teaching the critical-thinking skills needed for writing arguments. Major assignment chapters each focus on one or two classical stases (e.g. definition, resemblance, causal, evaluation, and policy). Each concept is immediately reinforced with discussion prompts, and each chapter ends with multiple comprehensive writing assignments.  This concise version contains all of chapters in the Brief Edition, but excludes some sections and exercises to increase savings. Also available in a Comprehensive version (032190673X) and a Brief version (0321964276).

*The 8th edition introduces sweeping changes to the philosophy and details of MLA works cited entries. Responding to the “increasing mobility of texts,” MLA now encourages writers to focus on the process of crafting the citation, beginning with the same questions for any source. These changes, then, align with current best practices in the teaching of writing which privilege inquiry and critical thinking over rote recall and rule-following.