Practical Argument

Published by Bedford/St. Martin's in 2023, Practical Argument: Short Edition, 5th Edition is an introductory textbook designed to guide college students through structural composition and analytical writing. Authors Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell present a systematic framework for understanding how written arguments operate.

The volume details the four pillars of argument, instructing students on how to formulate a thesis statement, assemble relevant evidence, incorporate a refutation, and compose a concluding statement. This sequence demonstrates how academic arguments maintain structural cohesion from introduction to conclusion.

In addition, the text covers classical rhetorical appeals: reason through logos, emotion through pathos, and authority through ethos. These analytical tools support college students as they evaluate persuasive writing and draft their own coursework.