This focused text is directed consistently towards teaching students to write their own arguments so as to better understand their own thoughts and present them to others in a clear written form. The text also provides a distinctive discussion of the role of emotion in argument under the concept of "emotional intelligence," and includes a wide range of exercises. In introducing students to the nature of argument (and especially ethical argument), Making Up Your Mind features a comprehensive introduction to the (...) logical forms of assertions and the most common forms of expression in English. The book then shows how to use all the main terms of argument, and provides a brief introduction to the most common forms of syllogism. The deductive and inductive aspects of argument are treated, and students are taught a basic technique of testing arguments for validity. Making Up Your Mind provides an argument outline, which can be used to organize virtually any ethical argument. This argument outline also provides a realistic context in which to study the most important informal fallacies and learn how to avoid them. In its closing chapters, the book discusses the nature of good evidence and good sources of evidence and their role in argument. Included are discussions of scientific method, the logical form of arguments about causal theories, and arguments from analogy. (shrink)

Making Up Your Mind is oriented toward the writing of arguments. It gives students techniques that they can use to better understand, organize, and present their own thoughts. The book provides an exceptionally clear statement of what critical thinking adds to the study of logic, along with complete and systematic coverage of all crucial logical operators and major logical relations. It also offers exceptionally clear and informative discussions of the definition of argument, the distinction between induction and deduction, and the (...) role of emotion in argument. The second half of the book presents an argument outline which students can use to organize virtually any ethical argument. This outline is also used to illustrate the most important informal fallacies and how they can be avoided. In its closing chapters, the book discusses the nature of good evidence and good sources of evidence and their role in argument. Included are discussions of scientific method, the logical form of arguments about causal theories, and arguments from analogy. (shrink)

_Making Up Your Mind_ is oriented toward the writing of arguments. It gives students techniques that they can use to better understand, organize, and present their own thoughts. The book provides an exceptionally clear statement of what critical thinking adds to the study of logic, along with complete and systematic coverage of all crucial logical operators and major logical relations. It also offers exceptionally clear and informative discussions of the definition of argument, the distinction between induction and deduction, and the (...) role of emotion in argument. The second half of the book presents an argument outline which students can use to organize virtually any ethical argument. This outline is also used to illustrate the most important informal fallacies and how they can be avoided. In its closing chapters, the book discusses the nature of good evidence and good sources of evidence and their role in argument. Included are discussions of scientific method, the logical form of arguments about causal theories, and arguments from analogy. (shrink)