Shape of Reason, The: Argumentative Writing in College [Paperback]

John T. Gage (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0023400412 | ISBN-13: 978-0023400414 | Publication Date: January 15, 1991 | Edition: 2 Sub

This brief rhetoric of argument teaches critical reading, informal reasoning, and writing as reasoned inquiry, and now features a mini-anthology of arguments on civic issues. The Shape of Reason emphasizes the enthymeme as the central basis for the invention and structure of arguments. This approach blends classical insights into rhetorical reasoning with contemporary understandings of the composing process as generative and organic, situated within discourse communities. The book helps to understand argument as inquiry, stressing the responsibility that writers have - to their audience and to their own ideas - in structuring arguments that earn their conclusions and in considering opposing arguments. For anyone interested in argumentative writing.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This brief rhetoric of argument teaches critical reading, informal reasoning, and writing as reasoned inquiry, and now features a mini-anthology of arguments on civic issues.

The Shape of Reason emphasizes the enthymeme as the central basis for the invention and structure of arguments. This approach blends classical insights into rhetorical reasoning with contemporary understandings of the composing process as generative and organic, situated within discourse communities. The book helps to understand argument as inquiry, stressing the responsibility that writers have - to their audience and to their own ideas - in structuring arguments that earn their conclusions and in considering opposing arguments.

For anyone interested in argumentative writing. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 Sub edition (January 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0023400412
• ISBN-13: 978-0023400414
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,654,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shape of Reason, September 14, 2005

By 

B. Levy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shape of Reason: Argumentative Writing in College (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! I've learned so much about writing and the responsibilities of a writer to his/her audience. The enthymeme--which can seem esoteric at first--makes sense to me now because it emphasizes the need to provide supportive reasons. Most importantly, I love the fact that this book highlights the need to see writing as an ongoing process.

5 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Finally- A Proven Sedative in Book Form!, January 26, 2004

By 

Nils Nordstrom (Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shape of Reason: Argumentative Writing in College (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

This is the third worst and most boring book I have ever read, after William Doty's "Mythography" and Claire Robertson's "Trouble Showed the Way." And guess what? All these books were required reading- and total stinkers. My teacher thinks Shape of Reason is the best thing since sliced bread, probably only because he was a student of Gage. Not only does the prose make absolutely no sense, I don't agree with his points. If anything, following Gage's advice would probably make you a worse writer. But most likely, you will be reading this for a class, and you won't have the option of saying no. At 45 dollars, this book is a rip-off, too.