Critical Thinking and Communication

Preface.

 

I. DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ARGUMENT.

 

1. Argument and Critical Thought.

Critical Thought.

Argumentation and Argument

Argument Contexts

 

2. Co-Orientational View of Argument.

Perspectives on Argumentation

How Argument Perspectives are Used

Arguer-Based Argument

Co-Orientational Approach

 

3. Argument Cultures and Ethics.

Culture and Argumentation

Ethics and Argumentation

Developing an Ethical Code

 

II. THE PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT.

 

4. Claims and Propositions.

Nature of Claims and Propositions.

Formulating a Proposition.

Classification of Claims.

 

5. Evidence.

Nature of Evidence.

Types of Evidence.

Evaluating Evidence.

Evaluating Statistical Evidence.

Presenting Evidence.

 

6. Reasoning.

Role of the Advocate

Formal Logic and Practical Reasoning.

Reasoning as Inference Making.

 

III.PRESENTING AND CRITICALLY EVALUATING ARGUMENTS.

 

7. Communicating Arguments.

Arguer as Communicator

Characteristics of Recipients

Communication Strategies, Techniques, and Principles

Using Language

 

8. Argument Analysis and Criticism

Benefits of Argument Analysis

An Approach for Analysis

Understanding Fallacies

 

IV. DEVELOPING AND ARGUING EXTENDED CASES

 

9. Case Construction and Arguing About Facts.

Arguing about Facts, Values, and Policies

Relating Facts, Values, and Polices

Issue Mapping

Principles of Case Construction

Principles of Refutation

Developing Fact-Based Cases

 

10. Arguing About Values.

Values and Value Systems

The Process of Value Change

Values and Argumentation

Stock Issues for Value Arguments

Issues Brief

 

11. Arguing About Polices.

The Future Nature of Policies

Policy Systems

Stock Issues in Policy Arguments

The Issues Brief

Alternative Formats for Arguing Policies

Alternative Formats for Refuting Policies

 

Appendix:  Answers to Selected Exercises.

On-Line Appendices.

Intercollegiate Debate.

Research Strategies.