Reading and Writing for Civic Literacy: The Critical Citizen's Guide to Argumentative Rhetoric

by Donald Lazere

'Lazere's [book] is heaven-sent and will provide a crucial link in the chain of understanding how conflicts are structured and, most importantly, how they can be rationally addressed - a healthy antidote to the scepticism that has become so pervasive in academic life.' Alan Hausman, Hunter College This innovative book addresses the need for college students to develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills for self-defence in the contentious...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594510857
• ISBN13: 9781594510854
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.2" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

simply wonderful

I found this book by accident, doing an inter-library loan request in the state of Penna. I teach english 8+9 and I wanted to do some research on propaganda. I was immediately impressed by the front cover overleaf which has a thirteen element checklist one should use when analyzing your own or others' arguments. The back coverleaf lists American Media, Journalists, and Commentators and sorts them according to their political philosphy. The list is very current. Surprisingly, the conversitives list is larger than the liberal. Most of the liberals on the list are quite obscure, for example,Todd Glitlen. The conservative list: Hannity, Coulter, Matalin seems to include many more notables. The book includes several sample student papers and a glossary of rhehtoic and critical thinking terms. The end of every chapter has many writing prompts a student could use for a deeper understanding of the examples of rhetoric in the various chapters. For a long time I've been wondering what propaganda techniques are being used on popular talk radio shows and faux news. This book has the answer. Usualy, I prefer paperback versions. But, with this, I'd go for the hardbound I think it is well worth buying. An interested person will get years of enjoyment studying the material presented.