Thank You for Arguing

Chapter 1: Open your eyes- The Author talks about how rhetoric was used throughout history and how
need to revive this type of thinking today to further our intellect.
The Author talks about how rhetorical arguing could work to your advantage in everyday conversation.
Heinrich further supports the usage of rhetorical strategies by giving the hypothetical of living a day
without any persuasion, a day free from peer pressure, fear, etc.
Chapter 2: Set your goals: Ciceros Lightbulb- Heinrich starts by differentiating what an argument is
opposed to a fight.
When talking about the difference, he tells the reader that a fight is meant for someone to become
victorious, as an argument is to agree upon something. Arguments are meant to persuade, and if done
correctly, it can change peoples opinions.
Chapter 4: Soften them Up- Heinrich describes the tools of rhetorical arguing by summing them up into
three categories: logos, pathos, and ethos, or logic, sympathy/empathy, and ethics.
He anthropomorphizes these tools by giving them characteristics of children. Logos being a smart child,
Ethos, the child who becomes class president, and pathos, the child who shows no empathy, yet, in the
end can still get what they want.
Chapter 6: Make them Listen- Heinrich talks about the act of rhetoric.
In doing so, he states, Rhetoric is an agnostic act; it requires more adaptation than righteousness. What
he means is that you neither run left or right when thinking, but your interpretation can be different then
somebody elses.
Chapter 8: Win their Trust-Heinrich talks about the ethos side of rhetoric and how you need a human side
to an argument to make it conceptual to an audience.
Heinrich begins by stating the differences between disinterest and uninterest. Disinterest appeals to the
emotion. It is consciously ignoring a subject. Uninterest is more innocent. You are unaware.
Chapter 10: Turn the Volume Down- In this chapter, Heinrich focuses on pathos, or using argument as
emotion.
He gives advice on how to appeal more to the emotional side when arguing. One way is to give your own
experience into an argument. When doing that, you can relate more and gain more empathy.
Chapter 12: Persuade on your own terms- Heinrich describes the importance of using logos and how to
build that in when arguing or debating.
Heinrich prefaces this by saying that you should make a determination to know what the audience is
thinking. Specifically, what are some beliefs people might share or what kind of things they might value.
To know the viewpoint of an audience is a very strategic method of creating good points.

Chapter 14: Spot Fallacies- Heinrich makes a point to not contradict and try to find holes in logic when
arguing.
When making points and presenting it, it is important to be very precise and clear as to what your point is.
How you execute it is also very important, not contradicting or being too ambiguous is key.
Chapter 16: Know whom to trust- It can be hard at times to know whom to trust, using ethos can be a
helpful tool to know and understand someone elses view.
When using ethos, it is really important to understand where a person might be coming from. Are they too
extreme? Using ethos can give you perspective and give you better insight into what they are thinking.