Thank You For Arguing Book Report

The book Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion was written by Jay Heinrichs to elucidate the techniques of persuasion. Thank You For Arguing, first published in 2007, has been used worldwide to help students and adults learn the knowledge of persuasion. Heinrichs includes many examples on how to use the different varieties of persuasion. Heinrichs uses steps to make sure he changes his audience's opinion, discusses ethos in depth, and continues to use Aristotle's reasonings. Furthermore there should be continue use of this book for ENGL 1301 because the students can gain a lot of insight from rhetoric.
Thank You for Arguing is an informational book about every possible aspect of using persuasion throughout your everyday life. Heinrichs uses an informal tone throughout the book to set an easy reading mood that allows learning the tricks simple for the reader. Another skill he uses is referencing celebrities and popular TV shows such as The Simpsons and Donald Trump, using this technique helps the reader relate by peaking their interest. Finally, Heinrichs uses personal stories that are also humorous to

demonstrate that persuasion can be used into the everyday life of just about everyone.
The chapter I learned the most from would be chapter 6: Make Them Listen.

This chapter goes over the persuasive leadership traits which are disinterest, virtue, and practical wisdom. Heinrichs conveys the readers by explaining ethos to change their opinion on the argument. He gives a good understanding of the values and virtue. The things people value like their faith, money, and honor help their character. He tries to get on the readers good side so they can trust his word. This chapter can be very useful for highschool students that are learning how to use ethos in their writing because it gives examples of ways to remember ethos traits such as “C3”: caring, cause, craft. It is meaningful because it helps someone understand what ethos is used for and provides understanding to use in the

future.
Although Heinrichs gives good examples to win arguments, he teaches the reader how to manipulate a person. This can be wrong in some ways but beneficial in the end because people will understand what they’re trying to argue about. This book gives many great examples on how a reader should defend his or her main point and finding a way to change the audience's attitude. As a highschool student one should continue the use of this book in class because it will benefit the future students. This book provides enough information for a highschool student that is beginning to learn the art of rhetoric. When the reader completes this book, he or she will come out knowing at least one thing about rhetoric skills.
In conclusion, Heinrichs gives details on how to persuade a person to get what you want. It also provides a new way of understanding someone’s opinion. I would recommend this book to highschool students that are learning how to use persuasion because we are growing up and are developing our own opinions. This will give enough information to help win our arguments.