"If our procedure is to work steadily in the direction of drawing as fine art, rather than (as we so often find) beginning from examples of such art, where shall we begin? One attractive possibility is to begin at the beginning—not the beginning in prehistory, which is already wonderful art, but with our personal beginnings as children. From there it will be the ambitious project of this book to investigate 'the course of drawing,' from the first marks children make to the greatest graphic arts of different cultures."—from the IntroductionPatrick Maynard surveys the rich and varied practices of drawing, from the earliest markings on cave walls to the complex technical schematics that make the modern world possible, from cartoons and the first efforts of preschoolers to the works of skilled draftspeople and the greatest artists, East and West.Despite, or perhaps because of, its ubiquity, drawing as such has provoked remarkably little philosophical reflection. Nonphilosophical writing on the topic tends to be divided between specialties such as art history and mechanics. In this engagingly written and well-illustrated book, Maynard reveals the interconnections and developments that unite this fundamental autonomous human activity in all its diversity. Informed by close discussion of work in art history, art criticism, cognitive and developmental psychology, and aesthetics, Drawing Distinctions presents a theoretically sophisticated yet approachable argument that will improve comprehension and appreciation of drawing in its many forms, uses, and meanings.

Annotation A basic text for citizens, professionals, and debaters of all types. This book introduces readers to the basic types of arguments and how to criticize and engage them, including induction, deduction, and causation. Readers will be familiarized with the ways in which advocates support their arguments and how to criticize and engage these forms of support, including historical data, statistics, examples, anecdotes, expert testimony and common experience. Readers will also encounter how to prepare for argumentative situations and how to conduct themselves within them, including debates, panel discussion, public speeches and informal settings. The original 1964 text has been updated and filled with new examples and activities.

This brief introduction to making effective arguments helps readers to understand the basics of sound reasoning and to learn how to use it to persuade others. Practical, inexpensive, and easy-to-read, the book enables students in a wide variety of courses to improve the clarity of their writing and public speaking. It equips readers to formulate firmly grounded, clearly articulated, and logically arranged arguments, avoid fallacious thinking, and discover how to reason well. This supplemental text is especially suitable for use in Christian colleges and seminaries and includes classroom discussion questions.

Argumentation: Critical Thinking in Action, 2nd ed., explores a wide variety of issues and concepts connected to making arguments, responding to the arguments of others, and using good critical thinking skills to analyze persuasive communication. Key topics include the nature of claims, evidence, and reasoning; common fallacies in reasoning; traits associated with good critical thinking; how language is used strategically in argument; ways to organize an argumentative case; how to refute an opposing argument or case; cultural dimensions of argument; and ways to make a better impression either orally or in writing.