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The Value of Topoi

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Abstract

Despite Vancil’s (1979) proclamation over twenty years ago that topoi have been abandoned in argument theory, this essay contends that topoi should have a vital role in contemporary argumentation theory. Four key areas are identified where topoi are (or can be) essential tools for argumentation: Locating argument, building argument, development of critical thinking, and argument pedagogy. As a result, teachers and students of argument can both benefit from a (re)discovery of topoi.

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Correspondence to J. P. Zompetti.

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Zompetti, J.P. The Value of Topoi. Argumentation 20, 15–28 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10503-005-1458-y

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