Thank You for Arguing, Third Edition

Jay Heinrichs

Jul 2017 · Three Rivers Press

About this ebook

A master class in the art of persuasion, as taught by professors ranging from Bart Simpson to Winston Churchill, newly revised and updated.

The time-tested secrets taught in this book include Cicero's three-step strategy for moving an audience to action, and Honest Abe's Shameless Trick for lowering an audience's expectations. And it's also replete with contemporary techniques such as politicians' use of code language to appeal to specfic groups and an eye-opening assortment of persuasive tricks, including the Eddie Haskell Ploy, the Belushi Paradigm, Stalin's Timing Secret, and the Yoda Technique.   

Whether you're an inveterate lover of language books or just want to win a lot more anger-free arguments on the page, at the podium, or over a beer, Thank You for Arguing is for you. Warm, witty, erudite, and truly enlightening, it not only teaches you how to recognize a paralipsis when you hear it, but also how to wield the weapons of persuasion the next time you really, really, want to get your own way.

Ratings and reviews

There are good techniques and devices contained within the book itself and the topic isn't dull in the slightest. However, the flawed examples and superficial understandings of said devices- provided by the author- make the read insufferable.

This is a witty, insightful and enjoyable book. The author is definitely a "sensei" in the art of arguing (rhetoric), and uses many modern and humourous examples to explain the important tools. The references to modern pop culture and current events is refreshing, and this will become one of the books that I will re-read frequently. Moreover, I'm convinced that the techniques shared by the author will help immensely in my work (in the airlines).

Well written, with comedic effect to break up the lecture. Would very highly recommend!

About the author

JAY HEINRICHS spent twenty-six years as a writer, editor, and magazine-publishing executive before becoming a full-time advocate for the lost art of rhetoric. He now lectures widely on the subject, to audiences ranging from Ivy League students to NASA scientists to Southwest Airlines executives, and runs the language blog figarospeech.com