Taking Sides, Second Edition, encourages students to form opinions and exchange ideas on important issues to prepare them for participation in academic settings. The text contains an introductory exercise and six units—philosophy (distributive justice), law, ethics, psychology, business negotiation, and linguistics. Within these sections, students are given practice in how to state opinions, compromise, build consensus, speak persuasively, understand group dynamics, write business memos, make presentations, engage in debate, and negotiate.

The second edition of Taking Sides includes changes to the order of the units (from the first edition) to improve usability of material (based on student feedback). New to this edition is material aimed at helping students prepare for the independent and integrated speaking tasks of the TOEFL® iBT. Whether students are preparing for the iBT or not, these activities improve students’ extemporaneous speaking skills and develop true fluency.