A Rulebook for Arguments

This is where this book by Weston comes in most handy. Weston's 'A Rulebook for Arguments' is a concise, accessible and very practical book for anyone looking to write or craft persuasive, coherent and consistent lines of reasoning. The first chapter gives seven basic principles that anyone who wishes to convince or persuade should know, whether they be arguing before a judge, a debating panel, a teacher, or even in a friendly pub conversation -- principles such as using natural order of argumentation, avoiding loaded language, being consistent in terminology, and starting from realistic and reliable premises.

From these basic and reasonable pieces, Weston develops more formal systems for argumentation -- Arguments by Example, by Analogy, from Authority, about Causes, and Deductive Arguments. Each of these systems are useful in and of themselves, as well as in relation to each other, but all have specific rules for application. What constitutes an Argument from Authority, for example? Who or what is authoritative? What are the limitations on this type of argument? One thinks immediately of the family-based Argument from Authority, 'because I'm the mommy, that's why.' Perhaps it is just as well the average grade schooler won't be purchasing this book!

In all, there are 30 primary rules for argumentation. These are adapted into 14 primary steps for developing an argument in writing.

There are three chapters specifically devoted to composing an argumentative essay, focusing upon research into the issues being argued, developing the key points of the argument, and finally writing the narrative of the text of the argument. These are basic steps to be followed whether one is putting together a two-page persuasive essay for an introductory politics class or a 200-page dissertation for a doctorate in philosophy. Key points such as definition, outlines according to natural flow, and consistency reflect the seven principles from the simplest arguments shown above.

the final chapter looks at fallacies -- how do we know if an argument fails itself? The two most common fallacies -- generalising from incomplete information and overlooking alternatives are the most important problems with argumentation. The argument 'the streets are wet, so it must be raining,' fails because of both fallacies; the streets could be wet because of water pipes having burst, or because people are washing their cars and there is run-off -- the information is incomplete, and the alternatives are not explored. There are twenty-two fallacies named in all, lots of ways for arguments to go astray.

There are longer books on critical thinking; there are other texts on rhetoric and writing. Many of these are useful and worthwhile, however, for clarity and concise information, Weston's book is superb and a very present help for those in a time-crunch.


Excellent little book   February 20, 2003
 20 out of 22 found this review helpful

Only a small volume, but small can be beautiful. Anthony Weston has put together a very useful aide memoir for students, or anyone, needing the tools to handle academic argument. I would say essential for anyone starting out in essay writing...


Sharpen your edge   May 26, 2001
 50 out of 50 found this review helpful

This introductory volume, slim and commendably affordable, takes a concise 'cookbook' approach. As the general reasoning skills discussed are useful in any academic discipline this book is for any student, or anyone wanting to write an report, essay, dissertation, or sharpen up examination answers, and is certainly of use to public speakers wishing to prove their point in a more effective and efficient way. It is probably also of interest to anyone in the 'knowledge worker' category, such as business analysis or systems analysis. As the title suggests it is rulebook as opposed to a textbook, taking a rule-of-thumb approach. It is a valuable adjunct to more discursive works, such the much older and more famous 'Straight and Crooked Thinking' by Thouless.

The chapters are: composing a short argument, arguments by example, arguments by analogy, arguments from authority, arguments about causes, deductive arguments (modus ponens, modus tollens, etc). And composing an argumentative essay (exploring the issue, main points of essay, writing), fallacies, and an appendix on definition.

Although there are no wasted words in this book, a work of this size has obvious limits; for instance there are no specific sections on reasoning with probability, inductive reasoning, or data analysis. Apart from the lack of statistical analysis, these deficiencies can probably be remedied by consulting 'Thinking from A to Z' by Warburton.

There are some small gems; the section on composing a short argument 'Use definite, specific, concrete language' could easily be subtitled 'How to puncture windbags'. His selected target is a wonderful eighty-word specimen of sociobabble (Talcott Parsons being his chosen victim), which he reduces to its thirteen-word equivalent - an 84% redundancy! Recommended.