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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Rulebook for Beginners, October 26, 2009
This review is from: A Rulebook for Arguments (Paperback)
"A Rulebook for Beginners" is made up of 45 discrete rules which have been categorised into nine chapters of general arguing techniques.
Not only does the author give positive rules for arguing, but he also lists about two dozen "Common Fallacies" in a glossary format at the end of the book.
The rulebook is written in an easy to read, and easy to reference layout. While you would definitely read it from front to back the first time, it has been specifically designed so that an engaged beginner can easily refer back to this rulebook when constructing arguments.
While it is clearly focused at the beginner, an intermediate `debater' will certainly glean some helpful hints from it.
Because it is only a concise rulebook, it doesn't do into detailed arguing techniques at all. So if you are interested in more advanced arguing methods, then you should definitely look elsewhere.
Overall this is a superb text for what it was designer for; A Rulebook for Beginners.
Four and a half stars
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good and bad changes in the 4th edition, July 2, 2009
This review is from: A Rulebook for Arguments (Paperback)
I just got a copy of the new edition (4th). I have used this previously in teaching college, and needed to upgrade so my students and I have the same edition and page numbers.
The content of the book is wonderful, and I think the extra chapter on oral argumentation is a welcome addition. I also think that the price is great. All my Ph.D. students have been happy to have a copy and enjoy working with it.
One downside of this particular edition: there are numbers for each argument rule, but the design of these is horrible: they are placed on top of the regular text as a light gray, overlapping the heading and some of the body text. This is distracting and annoying. Not sure who gave this design a green light, but I see this as a problem that I hope is remedied in the next edition (or even the next printing of this edition!).
Overall, a great book with one design flaw that shouldn't stop anyone from spending a little for a lot of book.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Outstanding Overview of Logic, Reason, and the Compilation of Formidable Conclusions, January 1, 2009
This review is from: A Rulebook for Arguments (Paperback)
A Rulebook for Arguments should be required reading as it presents a definitive outline of the basis for reason.
As a centerpiece of what separates humans from animals, the ability to reason represents a critical element in all human endeavors. Illogical reasoning is regrettably everywhere we look; advertisements, politics, religion, business, and even ordinary personal justifications. As a result, improving the ability to reason properly is of vital importance to the individual intellect.
Weston presents a concise overview of the critical aspects of logical reasoning. The subjects covered are designed to strengthen argumentative writing, help avoid common fallacies, and promote the organization of sound conclusions that hold up under any level of scrutiny.
The knowledge base of logic and formation of arguments presented in this book represents a path to improved reasoning abilities and therefore should be essential reading. As an added benefit, the book is brief and the writing is coherent from start to finish, making it an effortless read and one I highly recommend to all.
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