Mirror Images

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Read what your colleagues said about Mirror Images in pre-publication reviews!

[The text] “provides one of the most thorough discussions of writing an argument that I've ever seen. The FRP [Focus, Reader, Purpose] is a very useful heuristic for helping students both read and write arguments. I also find the text does a great job of marrying theory and practice . . . . [I]n other words, it draws on classic rhetoric and contemporary argument theory, but presents it in a way that it accessible and relevant for students . . . . Finally, the text does an excellent job of helping students expand their vision of what actually qualifies as an argument - virtually everything. That alone is quite an accomplishment.”

Jeffrey Andelora, Mesa Community College

“I also like that the authors present multiple ways of analyzing argument and they present them . . . as different ways of framing our thinking. This is effective because students then realize that there isn't one 'right' way to approach analysis of argument.”

Patricia Webb, Arizona State University

“This book's main virtue - a clear progression of steps - makes syllabus-design foolproof.”

Phyllis Frus , Hawaii Pacific University

“The 'Potential Problems in Arguments' chapter is a great idea, and I believe that it would be very useful to students and instructors alike. Pointing out these problem areas before they become actual problems in student papers will enable students to understand what not to do before they do it and understand what they have done when they make these errors.”

Diana C. Gingo, Collin County Community College

“Engaging exercises . . . let students 'try out' their understanding of concepts before they may attempt the more challenging task of writing a sophisticated argument.”

Jo Ann Buck, Guilford Technical Community College

“'Your Writing / Reading Process' gently guides the student to consider revision positively.”

Paula Eschliman, Richland College

“By far the best textbook on argumentative writing.”

Kay Heck, Walters State Community College

“I would argue that this is the best explanation I've read of the revision process in a composition textbook in quite some time.”

Sarah Quirk, Waubonsee Community College

Résumé

Mirror Images is a comprehensive argument rhetoric with readings that explains reading and writing as mirror images of each other and helps students develop skills by intentionally connecting these two processes.

Students learn to analyze written arguments by detecting the writer's audience, purpose, and focus. Students then mirror this rhetorical thinking as they generate and strengthen their own written arguments.

Part One introduces students to the rhetorical concerns of audience, purpose, and context as well as argument strategies such as the Classical Appeals, Toulmin, induction and deduction, and the Rogerian approach. Part Two emphasizes the writing process in the context of these argumentative purposes and strategies. Part Three offers concrete instruction for research, writing arguments from sources, and documentation, and Part Four presents five thematic anthology units on business ethics, body image, poverty and wealth, visual rhetoric, and work for students to use as a jumping off place for their own writing.

Contenu

PART I. ANALYZING ARGUMENT

Ch 1. A Brief Introduction to Argument

Argument in Action

Argument as a Thought Process

Some of the Many Contexts for Argument

Argument in a Personal Business Context

Argument in an Advertising Context

Argument in a Social Commentary Context

Argument in an Art Context

What Argument Should Do for Us

Trying to Remain Flexible in Your Thinking

Rogerian Argument

Writing as a Process

Students at Work: Putting Argument to Use

Discovering Your Own Arguments: Arguments in Everyday Life

Reflections on the Chapter

Ch.2. Traditional Means of Establishing Context and Discovering Your Argument

The Appeal to Personal Credibility (the Ethical Appeal)

What Do You Bring to an Argument?

The Appeal to Emotions (the Pathetic Appeal)

The Appeal to Reason (the Logical Appeal)

Students at Work: Thinking about Persuasive Appeals

Inductive Reasoning

Seeking a Reliable Induction Conclusion

Deductive Reasoning

Seeking the Valid Deductive Conclusion

The Toulmin System

Using the Toulmin System to Analyze an Argument

Discovering Your Own Arguments: Using the Classical Appeals

Reflections on the Chapter

Ch.3. An Argument's Anatomy

The Thinking Behind an Argument

The Rhetorical Triangle and the Argument Concept

The Thinking Within an Argument

The Claim

Types of Claims

Reasons and Evidence

Concessions and Rebuttals

Students at Work: Analysis of the Structure of a Student Argument

Discovering Your Own Arguments: Using the “Parts” of Arguments

Reflections on the Chapter

Ch.4. Using the Argument Concept an Argument's Plan

The Argument Concept

The Argument Concept and How it Can Work for You

The Argument Concept in Both Reading and Writing

How the Topic's Focus Influences an Argument's Design

How the Potential Reader Influences an Argument's Design

How the Intended Purpose Influences an Argument's Design

Altering Any Part of the Context

Students at Work: Using the Argument Concept

The Move from Argument Concept to the Argument's Claim

Characteristics of Claims as Sentences

Discovering Your Own Arguments: Arguments from Refined Argument Concepts

Reflections on the Chapter

Ch.5. The Potential Problems in Arguments

Insufficient Evidence

Atypical Evidence

Citing Improper Authorities

Subjectivism

Appeal to a Majority

Personal Attack on the Opposition

False Cause

Begging the Question

Non Sequitor

False Dilemma

Students at Work: Re-examining an Argument for Potential Fallacies

Discovering Your Own Arguments: Keeping an Eye Out for Fallacies

Reflections on the Chapter

Ch.6. Using the Argument Concept to Read the Arguments of Others

An Example of the Need for Critical Reading

Students at Work: Pete Asks Critical Questions about His Source

Causes of Superficial, Less Than Critical Reading

“Active” versus “Passive” Reading Practices

“Reversing” the Argument Concept

“The…