Arguing Across the Disciplines

Book excerpt: Arguing Across the Disciplines is the only text of its kind combining instruction in argumentation with writing across the disciplines through discussion of a diverse selection of classic and contemporary arguments. The anthology features over 50 thought-provoking arguments organized by broad curricular areas (the Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences) that include disciplines such as architecture, bioethics, communication, economics, engineering, epidemiology, and literature-ideal for first year students still undecided in their field(s) of study. Features: The comprehensive discussion of argument in Part I includes claim types, classical appeals, the Toulmin model, Rogerian argument, inductive and deductive reasoning, and refutation while also demonstrating the essential skills emphasized in WAC programs: summary, analysis, and synthesis. "Questions for Writing and Discussion" appear throughout Part I and offer students informal writing opportunities in which they can apply theory to practice on a range of issues that are both enduring and topical. Each reading in the anthology, Part II, is accompanied by four types of questions designed to generate discussion and provide writing opportunities: "Engaging the Text" helps students focus on the most important information in each reading; "Evaluating the Argument" encourages students to analyze how each argument is constructed and supported; "Exploring the Issue" provides opportunities for students to think about the subjects of each reading beyond the text; "Connecting Different Perspectives" ask students to make intertextual connections among the readings. "Reading Visual Texts as Arguments" (Ch. 8) explains how to interpret visual texts and use images to illustrate and develop arguments. "Writing Arguments from Sources" (Ch. 9) includes three sample student research papers, one each in MLA, APA, and CSE styles. Two alternate Tables of Contents organized by Rhetorical Patterns and by Subject/ Theme accommodate a variety of teaching approaches for maximum instructor flexibility. Visit us at www.ablongman.com