Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2007

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Parts 1-2, Chapters 1-4

Part 2, Chapters 5-8

Part 2, Chapters 9-10

Part 2, Chapters 11-14

Part 3, Chapters 15-16

Part 3, Chapters 17-19

Part 4, Chapters 20-21

Part 4, Chapters 22-24

Part 5, Chapters 25-29

What are the basic elements of an argument? What are the three megatools of rhetoric that help form arguments? Provide an example for each tool.

What are tactics with which people can defend themselves against logical fallacy? Provide one defense for each logical sin and rhetoric foul.

Jay Heinrichs says, “Persuasion doesn’t depend on being true to yourself. It depends on being true to your audience” (53). What does he mean by this, and how might persuaders go about achieving this?