Chapter One Rhetorical Summary

In their book, Good Reasons, Faigley and Selzer stress the importance of written arguments in chapter one, “Making an Effective Argument.” According to the authors, written arguments attempt to alter the way one thinks or views about a specific topic by backing up their claims with evidence and reasoning. The authors continually mention throughout chapter one that reasons and evidence are crucial components to include when giving a claim; in order to explain the significance of this issue, the authors state: “Setting out a specific proposal or claim supported by reasons and evidence is at the heart of most college writing, no matter what course”(5). The authors seem to have a somewhat straightforward writing style, which is tasteful to the collegiate audience who are looking for answers the most efficient way possible.