Pros & Cons: A Debaters Handbook, 18th Ed. [Paperback]

Trevor Sather (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415195489 | ISBN-13: 978-0415195485 | Publication Date: June 23, 1999 | Edition: 18

Pros and Cons: A Debaters Handbook offers a unique and invaluable guide to current controversies, providing material for debate on a wide range of topics.

Arguments for and against each subject appear in adjacent columns for easy comparison, and related topics and suggestions for possible motions are listed at the end of each entry. Since its publication in 1896 the handbook has been regularly updated and this eighteenth edition includes new issues such as censorship of the internet, genetic engineering and the legalisation of prostitution.

The introductory essay describes debating technique, covering the rules, structure and type of debate, and offering tips on how to become a successful speaker. The book is then divided into eight thematic sections, where specific subjects are covered individually.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An impressive resource. Well over one hundred controversies are covered in the book. The contributors have produced a powerful testament to the scope of public debate. An essential reference. Pros and Cons is an impressive piece of work.
–Controversia, November 2002

About the Author

Trevor Sather is Head of the Centre for International Debate and Communication Training at the English Speaking Union, London. His team of authors are all experienced debaters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 18 edition (June 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415195489
• ISBN-13: 978-0415195485
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everybody should have one!, April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pros & Cons: A Debaters Handbook, 18th Ed. (Paperback)

Thought-provoking and informatve; well-written and entertaining; sure to stimulate free speech and intellectual endeavour wherever it is read. Essential for debaters of all ages, debate coaches, and anyone interested in improving their dinner party conversation. Never find yourself without a contentious opinion again!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unequivocally the best resource for any Debate Coach, December 30, 2006

By 

L. J. Oja (Thunder Bay , Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pros & Cons: A Debaters Handbook, 18th Ed. (Paperback)

Time is a precious commodity. Sadly, I wasted a lot of time getting together resources for my debate team. Our High School was not new to debate, but I was. Eventually, I stumbled across this work, and I must rank this as the number one resource any debate couch must have for the practice of debate.

This resource has allowed me to have many debate practices. The resource while not written for Canadians, is very, very easily adapted to our concerns.

The pre-research that has been done for typical debate topics saves any debate coach an incredible amount of time. It can make you the expert on a tremendous number of varied debate topics. It also has several extensions or ancillary debates too.

As well, using the information from this book, I have tried giving the information beforehand to my debaters on a particular debate topic, and with this common background information, have run practices which focus on the rhetoric alone. My students have experienced very good development in this way.

The book is fantastic, and after such a short period of time, well thumbed. I may need to search out a hardcover version.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential resource for student debaters, January 9, 2006

By 

Alim Merali (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pros & Cons: A Debaters Handbook, 18th Ed. (Paperback)

During my years as a competitive debater, I found Pros and Cons to be a very useful resource. The book clearly and effectively lays out the main arguments for and against a variety of debate resolutions, making the task of building a solid case much easier. I would recommend it as a handy resource for any student who seeks to excel at debate.

-Alim Merali, author of Talk the Talk: Speech and Debate Made Easy