Abstract

AI -BOOK REVIEWS ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE TEXTBOOKS: AN OVERVIEW OF CONTENT AND FOCUS John H. Tindell Choosing a textbook for any college argumentation and debate. Thus, books that course can be a daunting process. Seeking are out-of-date, take an advanced look at recommendations from colleagues, contact­ debate or provide a narrow focus on one ing book publishers and reviewing a seem­ specific style of debate have been excluded. ingly endless number of choices can wear However, some of these "excluded" text­ down the best of us. The variety of ap­ books have been placed into a special proaches and focuses textbooks utilize, all supplemental readings category. Although I covering the same basic material but at times have attempted to make the list as compre­ from radically different perspectives, can be hensive as possible, it is very likely that some a mixed blessing. Such is the case for those have evaded my search. In reference to the who are choosing an argumentation and "supplements," the four textbooks reviewed debate textbook. While some textbooks em­ provide a good range but in no way are a phasize critical thinking skills, others focus on comprehensive list of possible supplements. the structure and practice