Designed to provoke powerful student response, The Language of Argument's collection of over 100 short, compelling, and deeply-felt arguments touch on some of today's most hotly debated issues: gun control, gay rights, censorship, and the tobacco industry.

Appropriate for students of all levels, the text opens with brief, accessible discussions of the different forms of argument illustrated with sample essays and print advertisements. This coverage is followed by a rich assortment of brief, but provocative arguments for analysis. “Eight Rules for Good Writing” at the end of the text reviews topics like finding a subject and organizing material. The text's appendixes include MLA citation guidelines, a discussion of word choice, and review exercises. Over half the readings are new to this edition including an all-new section on literary and classic arguments.