Public Policy Argumentation and Debate

Philip Dalton (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Rhetoric at Hofstra University. He studies political communication and public discourse and teaches, among other courses, political communication and argumentation and debate. John R. Butler (PhD, University of Pittsburgh) has worked as a debate coach, communication professor, and consultant. He serves as the Director of Communication and Strategy for the Painters District Council No. 30 and its affiliated funds, a labor union located in Aurora, Illinois.

"... lucidly presented, and made even more accessible through its use of contemporary examples and case studies. It will become standard reading in all of my courses where public discourse and political advocacy are central concerns, and argument a necessary skill - which is to say, all of them." (Charlton McIlwain, New York University) "... balance[s] rigorous argumentation concepts with the realistic needs of students and citizen advocates for whom a course might be their only formal advocacy training ... ideal for use as a main text for general guidance in the practice of advocacy." (David Worth, Rice University) "... explores the theories and practical applications of argumentation and debate through examples and activities that meet students where they live ... basic tools for students to unravel and participate in public policy arguments in a wide variety of settings." (Diana Bartelli Carlin, Saint Louis University) "... lucidly presented, and made even more accessible through its use of contemporary examples and case studies. It will become standard reading in all of my courses where public discourse and political advocacy are central concerns, and argument a necessary skill - which is to say, all of them." (Charlton McIlwain, New York University) "... balance[s] rigorous argumentation concepts with the realistic needs of students and citizen advocates for whom a course might be their only formal advocacy training ... ideal for use as a main text for general guidance in the practice of advocacy." (David Worth, Rice University) "... explores the theories and practical applications of argumentation and debate through examples and activities that meet students where they live ... basic tools for students to unravel and participate in public policy arguments in a wide variety of settings." (Diana Bartelli Carlin, Saint Louis University)

• Contents: An orientation to public policy advocacy - Propositions - Understanding stock issues in public policy advocacy - Evaluating reasoning - Reasoning by other means - Theories and uses of evidence - Evaluating evidence - Targeting your audience - Adapting to the advocacy setting.