Chapter 9 Rhetorical Presis

          

           

               Good Reasons (2012), chapter 9: Causal Arguments, by Faigley and Selzer describes a casual argument, its basic forms, the identification of causes, and complex relationships in reference to causal arguments.  The authors start by identifying the three types of causal arguments, how they flow, and then give a brief example of each; it moves then to the locating of causes and how that can often be difficult because " if a cause is worth writing about, it is likely to be complex." (115).  They then describe the four cause finding methods as described by philosopher John Stuart Mill.  Finally, Faigley and Selzer discuss, in depth, how to build a causal argument and then show a sample to reinforce the lesson.  Their purpose is to ensure that students are well versed and prepared to create an effective argument of their own.  The audience would be the students reading the text but this would also be useful to businesses, politicians, scholars applying for grants, and virtually anyone who needs to make a well written, valid argument.









           Faigley, Lester, and Jack Selzer. Good Reasons: Research and Writing Effective Arguments, Fifth Edition.  Glenview: Pearson Education, 2011. Print.