Getting a grip on argumentative discourse

Argumentative discourse is aimed at resolving a difference of opinion on the merits. This means that the standpoint at issue is accepted based on the way in which it has been defended. The purpose of argumentative discourse is to achieve effectiveness through reasonableness by means of a critical discussion carried out in the discourse. The critical discussion to resolve a difference on the merits comprises four different stages, which are all indispensable for deciding in a reasonable way whether the standpoint at issue is acceptable: a confrontation stage, an opening stage, an argumentation stage, and a concluding stage. Even though an argumentative speech or text may appear to be a monologue on the surface, on closer inspection, it always proves to be part of an implicit discussion. Taking these four stages as a starting point, a careful reconstructive analysis is, therefore, required in all cases. On the basis of the understanding of argumentative discourse they have gained from being methodically immersed in the reconstructive analysis and critical evaluation of argumentative discourse, the readers of Argumentative Discourse will eventually be introduced to a reflection-minded approach to improving their production of oral and written argumentative discourse by means of the conceptual tools discussed.