Rhetoric & Composition

A new edition of A Rulebook for Arguments is now available, released in February 2018, click here for more information about the new 5th edition.

"An elegant, concise, and consistently useful little book that every student needs."
—Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University

“This is an excellent translation. It achieves a very high standard of accuracy and readability, two goals very difficult to attain in combination when it comes to such a master of prose and philosophical argument as Plato. Because of this the book is suitable for courses at all levels in philosophy, from introductory courses on Plato, or problems in Philosophy, to graduate seminars.”
     —Gerasimos Santas, Teaching Philosophy

George Pullman's lively and accessible introduction to the study of persuasion is an ideal text for use in courses where the understanding and practice of argumentation, rhetoric, and critical thinking are central.

By pairing translations of Gorgias and Rhetoric, along with an outstanding introductory essay, Joe Sachs demonstrates Aristotles response to Plato. If in the Gorgias Plato probes the question of what is problematic in rhetoric, in Rhetoric, Aristotle continues the thread by looking at what makes rhetoric useful. By juxtaposing the two texts, an interesting "conversation" is illuminated—one which students of philosophy and rhetoric will find key in their analytical pursuits.

Updated and expanded from one of the most popular grammar sites on the web, this book provides a modern guide to English usage for the 21st century. With topics arranged alphabetically and written in an enjoyable and readable tone, The English Language: A User's Guide will help students and writers understand the nature of the language, explaining the "why" of the rules as well as what constitutes good grammar and style. Going beyond the prescriptive wrong /right examples, Jack Lynch includes examples of weak/strong, good/better, disputed/preferred, and informal/formal usage.

"This wonderful little book has helped improve the level of writing in all the courses I teach. No one should graduate from college without having used it."
     —Gonzalo Munevar, Lawrence Technological University

"Writing a successful research paper is not easy, but Stanley Chodorow's book is so lucid and well organized that, with it as an aid, students will find the process less daunting—and perhaps even satisfying. The sixth chapter, on using evidence, is the best and most helpful thing I've ever read on that crucial topic."
   —Al Filreis, Kelly Professor of English, Faculty Director of the Kelly Writers House, and Director of the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing, University of Pennsylvania