This book approaches the topic of argumentation from the perspective of audiences, rather than the perspective of arguers or arguments.

This book is a complete guide for the public debater, debate organizer coach or consultant.

Explains critical thinking in argumentative persuasive speech and prose. Sample essays regarding: AIDS (disease), civil rights, illiteracy, Vietnam, discrimination, and others.

Approaches recent innovations in argumentation theory from a primarily rhetorical perspective.

Recent work in argumentation theory has emphasized the nature of arguers and arguments along with various theoretical perspectives. Less attention has been given to the third feature of any argumentative situation - the audience. This book fills that gap by studying audience reception to argumentation and the problems that come to light as a result of this shift in focus. Christopher W. Tindale advances the tacit theories of several earlier thinkers by addressing the central problems connected with audience considerations in argumentation, problems that earlier philosophical theories overlook or inadequately accommodate. The main tools employed in exploring the central issues are drawn from contemporary philosophical research on meaning, testimony, emotion and agency. These are then combined with some of the major insights of recent rhetorical work in argumentation to advance our understanding of audiences and suggest avenues for further research.