Excerpt from Argumentation and Debate The aim of this book is twofold: (1) to present briefly and clearly the theory of argumentation, (2) to furnish a sufficient number of complete debates for a thorough course in analysis and briefing. The discussion of argumentative theory has been condensed, therefore, and, while illustrated to the point of clearness, is suggestive rather than exhaustive, in order that it may be more fully tested in a study of the selections. Some emphasis has been placed upon the principles of logic for the reason that a knowledge of formal logic on the part of the student cannot be presumed. Furthermore, considerable space has been devoted to a study of evidence as it is found in the courts of law. This material will justify itself for the reason that the legal mind is the one best adapted to debate and for the reason that the debater who confines himself within the limitations imposed by the courts not only builds up a stronger argument but is also better prepared to destroy an opposing argument. The selections have been taken from great debates on critical and living issues of American history, politics, and law. For several reasons they will be found well adapted for analysis and briefing. In the first place, they were delivered by men long practiced in controversy, by men thoroughly trained in life's school of practical affairs. In the second place, the questions debated were at the time of the discussions, and still are, of vital moment to the American people. Hence they are of strong interest to every thoughtful student. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.