Customer Reviews:
Arsenal For Attacking Flawed Presentations.......2003-09-22
A presentor is usually happy when people pose questions, as long as they are not critical questions. Most of the time the audience doesn't pose any questions because they simply don't know what questions to ask or how to formulate those questions.
The prinicipal points of this book:
Establishing the issue and the conclusion.
- Knowing and agreeing with the counterpart on the issue prevents us from veering off away from the subject of discussion. People like chaning the issue when they feel trapped.
- Listening to the person's conclusion about the mentioned issue which will indicate the person's opinion.
What are the reasons for their arguments on a certain suject?
- Reasoning takes many roads but often we don't know how to counter weak reasoning. Key words that give way to faulty reasoning with no substance to back up the argument.
Finding words that are ambiguous
- Counterparts discussing a subject, saying the same thing with several key words but some words have many meanings. Make sure you are talking about the same thing.
What are the value conflicts and assumptions?
- Value conflicts are explosive because of different political, religous and moral beliefs. A speaker who is devoutly religious will try and bring biblical arguments in to reasoning which for someobdy who is an athiest, would mean absolutely nothing.
How good is the evidence: Appeals to authority and testamonials.
- Probably one of the most abused factors in supporting an argument. How often have you heard, "Experts on the subject state 70% of medical doctors say x,y and z habits are great for your health". Don't forget to ask who the authority is. The more general authority and testamonials are the weaker the argument. The authors of many surveys make them biased. e.g. If scientific study has proven that smoking is good for your health and the author of the article is a lobbyist for the tobbaco industry, could it be possible that the author has something to gain from the study? If so ask what other authors or experts say about the subject. The so called industry specific gurus who give their testamonials are in most cases biased, because they have something to gain with the report.
Deceptive statistics are also factors that need to be examined closely. When a presentor starts talking about averages and percentages, ask which average and how large the sampeling was on people who took the survey. You would be surprised about how many presentors do not know anything about the facts they are presenting.
The author does not only wirte about critical thinking but has included many exercises to acitvate the reader to look for faulty reasoning and how to build up questions to counter evidence being presented. It is a great introduction text to critical thinking.
Maybe "user-friendly" makes it average..........2002-05-08
It took my a while to read through the book... a sign of boring content... I would say the book is good for a beginner in this field, it provides many examples, which are easy to grasp, but which I found too basic for the more advanced reader... or which even constitute common sense.
It may be well suited to be covered in High School ... not much more to add (sorry).
While I haven't looked around, I am convinced there a better titles out there.
Teaching Students to THINK!.......2001-02-07
I first utilized this excellent book in undergraduate classes about a year ago.I enjoyed using it and it received accolades from the students, (once they realized that sometimes, thinking is WORK!)
It is "user-friendly", and the segments in each chapter are short but concise. There are numerous exercises after each section so that the student can put to immediate use, their newly acquired knowledge.
But I believe the highest praise came from the students that jokingly complained, "I can't think the same way anymore!" They had become "Critical Thinkers". And we can certainly use all of those that we can get!
Book Description
This new edition of the classic guide offers a thorough and accessible introduction to contemporary critical theory. It provides in-depth coverage of the most common approaches to literary analysis today: feminism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, reader-response theory, new criticism, structuralism and semiotics, deconstruction, new historicism, cultural criticism, lesbian/gay/queer theory, African-American criticism, and postcolonial criticism. The chapters provide an extended explanation of each theory, using examples from everyday life, popular culture, and literary texts; a list of specific questions critics who use that theory ask about literary texts; an interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby through the lens of each theory; a list of questions for further practice to guide readers in applying each theory to different literary works; and a bibliography of primary and secondary works for further reading. This book can be used as the only text in a course or as a precursor to the studyof primary theoretical works. It motivates readers by showing them what critical theory can offer in terms of their practical understanding of literary texts and in terms of their personal understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. Both engaging and rigorous, it is a "how-to" book for undergraduate and graduate students new to critical theory and for college professors who want to broaden their repertoire of critical approaches to literature.
Customer Reviews:
Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide, Second Edition.......2007-07-19
Lois Tyson's book is indeed a "user-friendly guide" which is especially helpful for teachers whose formal education pre-dates some of the critical theories which it addresses. By applying each interpretive strategy to one specific work, Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Tyson makes the abstract concrete and demonstrates how readers may enrich their appreciation of works of literature.
excellent seller.......2007-01-11
It was in the condition I expected it in and it arrived quickly..and the price was right.
Buy This One.......2006-07-16
I teach an undergraduate course in critical theory. Tyson's is the single most useful introduction to that subject that I have encountered -- and I've looked at many, many introductions to theory. Tyson's book is clear and practical, setting forth the principles of each critical theory and then applying those principles in analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby." If I could, I would not merely give this book five stars, but also "flag" it for teachers and students searching Amazon for the best introduction to literary theory: this is the one that you should buy.
Lives up to its name.......2005-07-11
Happily, this book actually lives up to its name. Though I am still far from being conversant in theory, I now feel that I have a basic understanding of what is going on and I'm ready to explore more on my own. Also very helpful was how each chapter concluded with a reading of The Great Gatsby from that theoretical perspective. It really helped to show how theory can be used in so many ways to produce varied readings on the text. I am so happy that I found this book!
A breath of fresh air in literary appreciation.......2003-06-16
I think that most undergraduate students will appreciate being wisely and gently shepherded into the wild fields of literary theory by professor Tyson's 1999 study. In fact, so will most lay reader lambs who innocently venture into what they thought were safe fields of, say, the Times Literary Supplement in hopes of deepening their appreciation of the classics and literary creativity. So many "academic" surveys cloak in academic wool their lupine ideological teeth, Tyson keeps a strong, healthy overview of the various schools (packs?) of critics. She appreciates the concerns and contributions of the various critical approaches without being co-opted; she shares their thoughtful contributions in "user-friendly" fashion without resorting to the cutesy "for dummie sheep" approach.
An excellent guide through the tangled weavings of modern critical writings, analyzing with respect, exploring with optimistic skepticism. GENERAL READERS: Don't leave this "textbook" in the classroom; it is a most comfortable armour for venturing forth into the 21st Century literary world. If you were not fortunate enough to be one of Tyson's students, study with her here!
Book Description
* A jargon-free guide to understanding and conducting research * Uses metaphors, visual images, and examples to simplify complex research concepts * Includes information on how to start a journal club, how to write case reports, and * How to become a "clinician-researcher" * Provides computer exercises to help readers understand statistical concepts
Customer Reviews:
Review.......2007-05-13
The transaction was easy, I received the item in the timeframe that I paid for.
Book Description
What this product is about, and the needs it will meet Since the days of the Early Church, Christians have struggled to find a way to be 'good'--to please God by their own efforts. They end up carrying a burden God never intended them to bear. And what's more, their brand of Christianity ends up looking like any other religion of the world--bound by joyless rules and rituals. Fritz Ridenour's study of the book of Romans provides an antidote to the pharisaical spirit and shows that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. It is not man reaching up, it is God reaching down. Every Christian can enjoy his or her birthright when they realize who they are in Christ. The result is a life full of hope, joy, power and potential.
Customer Reviews:
I Love This Book!.......2006-10-21
This is a GREAT book, and fun to read!
It's no wonder it continues to stay in print. I first read the book as a teen. Now more than 30 years later, I just re-read it and I loved it as much as I did the first time!
If anyone were to ask me what a Christian is,why I am one, and how they can become one, this book is one of the greatest resources I could point them to.
Simply the Best!.......2005-02-11
I can hardly believe it. My copy of this book is dated from 1976 and has been in continued use since them. Come to think of it, that was the year I entered the ministry and this book has been a constant companion since.
Fritz Ridenour writes for youth, but this commentary on Romans transcends youth and ought to be read by every new Christian. It is simply the best. The genius of Fidenour is that he has the ability to take a very complicated document (Paul's epistle to the Romans) and explain it completely in simple language.
This book has had a profound impact on my understanding of Romans. Twenty years and many Bibles later, I still write in Ridenour's insights in the margin of Romans. This is a great book and must reading for every Christian.
Plain Simple Truth.......2003-04-12
I have had my copy for over 15 years and I find it good to pull this book out and reread it every few years.
The book is a commentary that follows The Book of Romans. The heart of the message is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ - God accepting us, and not earning our salvation through our own works. The book is very well written, very easy to read (I usually reread it in a day or two), and the writing is very down to earth and on the level of the common person.
I first saw this book when I was young in the early 70's - this book has stood a time test, and the writing is still so current today. I reread the book yesterday and it reads like it could have been first published today even though it came out in 1967.
Christianity is a path more than a destination (a way of life in fellowship with God being led by his Holy Spirit). Sometimes you can stray off course, even a little, and start to loose your peace and joy. This book helps me to remember the basics of my salvation and set my heart in the right direction. The beautiful part is this book is so easy to read; no big language, you are not being talked down to, no from another world type of writing - just on your level.
Please read this book. Save a copy, and pull it out every few years. You will be glad you did.
Great intro, especially if you are from a religious.......2001-10-31
background. I read a copy that was printed in the mid-60's a few years ago. I was a brand new born-again christian coming out of a Roman Catholic background. I understand that things are changing in the catholic church, praise God, but at the time,not much was said about God's grace, and this book helped me out of the religious baggage I had brought with me.Don't get me wrong, I am a bible believing christian, a former youth leader for a Foursquare denomination church, and I plan to do missionary work.This book is not about just doing whatever you feel like, but it is a rich, easy to read explanation of the Book of Romans that examines all the religious things that we do to try to please God so he gets off our backs, or so that we can feel superior to others. This book does a great job of going through Romans and examining our relationship with Christ. It is engaging for the intelligent as it covers the concepts in Romans which are God-breathed, and it is written in an easy to read manner. I have lent this book to many different kinds of people and they were all able to receive from it.It is wonderful for those who came from a legalistic christian background who are just begining to know Christ, so that they can know the freedom that is in Christ.
A terrific little book telling us about unearned salvation.......1999-06-24
This is an easy reading study on the book of Romans. In this book, Fritz Ridenour clearly explains the concept of God's grace to us. He helps us see the difference between trying to earn God's forgiveness and receiving the gift of God's forgiveness. It is a book that I have given out many times to those with questions about what it means to be a Christian.
Book Description
Contractors will never again be without the legal information they need. This user-friendly guide for home builders and remodelers includes a free CD-ROM with legal forms and contracts available to copy and adapt for their needs.
Customer Reviews:
Incredable amount of information.......2007-05-12
I haven't completely read through the whole book but from what I have read I can see that I've gotten more than my money's worth.
Seems as though you can just pick through what pertains to you with help from the author.
The CD it comes with obviously is also the big selling point. You can then easily print out your legal forms.
Amazon BTW was a lot less expensive than anywhere else for this book/CD
The Contractor's Legal Kit.......2006-08-10
As a Remodeling Contractor, I've purchased many books over the years and this is truly one of the best. Worth the price times 10.
Should be your first book.......2003-06-14
This book is the best one I have found on this subject. It's well written and very user friendly. This book will teach you what you need in your construction documents. I read about 4 to 5 books a month on a variety of construction subjects and this is the best one I've found on legal documents
Book Description
If you are planning to build or improve an arena, you must have this book. Think of the arena footing as more than a smooth surface--it's use and management must be compatible. The three most important concerns are dust, hardness, and drainage. You'll learn to control all three. Additional chapters cover purchasing land for horse facilities, arena maintenance, footing amendments, and more.
Customer Reviews:
Extremely technical.......2007-05-20
I purchased this book because it had rave reviews. I immediately read the book when it arrived and was a bit disappointed because it has so much scientific jargon it was hard to follow at times. I couldn't help but notice that the author has patents on rubber footing products which he advertises throughout his book.
How to build and maintain a cost-effective equine arena.......2006-03-19
Deserving of ongoing mention is a guide horse owners will relish: a slim but detailed account of how to build and maintain an equine arena. You can save thousands of dollars and horse injury by learning what makes for a good arena, how to clean and manage it properly, considering drainable spots, and more. EQUINE ARENA HANDBOOK: DEVELOPING A USER-FRIENDLY FACILITY appeared in 1999 but remains virtually the only in-depth book on the topic today.
Thanks from a Non Rider.......2006-03-12
Not being a rider myself, I was totally confused with the need for a sub-base and how the unique impact of a horses hoof can cause failure to the surface.
Now that Robert Malmgren has explained the soil mechanics involved in horse hoof impacts, I can now utilize local sub base, base and surface materials better.
And now tractor drawn grooming can be done better as I now understand that the B and C horizons need to be addressed as well as the obvious A.
Thank you for saving me countless yards of material and wasted time. Dan Lauzon, Rockport MA
Disappointing.......2005-12-26
I got this book because I was planning to build my own arena and was very disappointed with the lack of practical advice it contained. The author is a soil scientist and it shows. The book is about soils and sand, and has very little to do with the practicalities of arena construction, nor is it even very clear about the range of surfaces available. Its lack of practical orientation can be illustrated by the(very brief)section on drainage where it states that: "Drainage refers to the potential of a soil to acquire an optimum level of moisture for a particular purpose." That really wasn't much use to me. In fact I found much more valuable information on equestrian arenas, including surfaces, but just searching the web.
if you want to know dirt...........2005-10-21
This entire book is about footing....soil testing, issues, management,.....
What I thought I was buying included guidelines as to how big to plan an arena for various uses, .... and that was never covered.
So, if you want to know dirt, soil, ...it's great. If you want more, it's lacking.
Customer Reviews:
So User Friendly!!!.......2006-08-11
Students! Save your sanity! This user friendly guide takes all the stress out of using the APA Style Guide! Why waste your time hassling through the Publication Manual when you can use this easy-to-read version instead? I find this manual completely understandable and thorough. It tells you everything you need to know about APA style so you can format your paper quickly and easily. Your time can be spent on the content of your paper instead!
Great Book!.......2005-09-02
The person writing the review below obviously did not look on the copyright page of "The World's Easiest Guide to Using the APA" to see that this book is geared for undergraduates only, especially lower-division and English-as-a-Second-Language students. He is a professional, editing at the graduate level. He needs to be using the regular Publication Manual. He is being unfair in his assessment of The World's Easiest Guide to Using the APA, since the book is not meant for grad-level students. Many colleges and universities around the country have adopted this book because of its user-friendly layout. It takes the students step-by-step through the creation of a research paper, from the title page to the references. Any lower-division student will be thrilled with its easy-to-understand steps. Full-size, sample papers are included in the appendices.
Next to worthless.......2004-01-23
Do not buy this unless you have the opportunity to see one first, or are willing to return it. THIS GUIDE COVERS FORMATTING ALMOST TO THE EXCLUSION OF EVERYTHING ELSE IMPORTANT IN APA. I bought this for help with an editing job I do part-time for a professional journal. It is so inadequate, it will go straight into the garbage can. There are free online APA style Guides which are by far better.
There are eight chapters in this.The first 6 are about page setup, grapics, citing references, and other basic stuff. These cover the first 91 pages. The bulk of the rest of the book is about setting up reference lists! Over 100 pages for this. I suppose someone may need this much on it, but I suspect most don't. It usually gives an example of a reference and then gives step-by-step instructions to make your own. I do mean detailed. "At the left margin, type the author's..." If you need this much detail, you probably need instructions telling you to turn the page too.
Punctuation and spelling is covered in Chap 8. It contains TWO pages! It is so simplistic as to be worse than useless. It is more of a joke.
This book contains little but instructions for fromatting. Perhaps it is my fault that I did not read the detail about this thing before ordering, but for some reason--call me a fool--I thought an APA users guide covered all the APA. I was certainly wrong there.
Caution if Your Buying this Book.......2003-02-13
My University requires Master's students to use APA 5th Edition. So, when I checked the inside of my new book (this one) I read that it corresponds to the 5th Edition, but other students in my class were having different style basics, so I feel I can't trust it. I checked with the American Psychological Association and they said "We cannot endorse a non-APA product. There are a lot of them out there, and they are riddled with mistakes." So the APA does not recognize this edition. Also, the inside of this edition says "This book is intended for undergraduate use only" - something they don't tell you before you order.
out-of-date information.......2002-03-01
The APA revised their citation guidelines in a new publication dated 2001. It is the fifth edition. Therefore, Carol Amato's book has incorrect information in it.
Customer Reviews:
Only Episcopalians need reply.......2007-08-23
This is quite a good bookfull of explanations of why the priest wears purple in Lent and green in July and other liturgical facts and fancies. A tour de force for Episcopalians. We thrive on this sort of stuff.
Definitively helpful.......2006-02-02
Can you tell the difference between the ICEL and the ICET? Does a Lay Reader perform the Laying on of Hands? Do you know what EDS, CDSP, ETSS and 'General' have in common? What is fair about Fair Linen?
The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this book, 'An Episcopal Dictionary for the Church'. It is an encyclopedic dictionary, spanning nearly 600 pages of text (many dictionaries are more of a handbook variety, with brief definitions and far fewer pages). This dictionary has a roster of over thirty contributors from the length and breadth of the church, and a bibliography that is well over a hundred items in length.
Even with the number of pages, there are a few omissions. There is no entry for lavabo, for example; there are many definitions and descriptions that relate to vestments, church elements and architecture, music and liturgical elements, but every so often I find a term that is not included. Despite this, the book remains perhaps the most comprehensive single-volume dictionary available for Episcopalians and other Anglican types.
In addition to the more dictionary-definition types of entries, there are brief article-style entries on major concepts and theological issues. These are often not of concern to Episcopalians alone (terms such as 'baptism' and 'salvation' are included as entries), but these are set in a more Anglicanised context. There are also brief biographical entries on major figures in Episcopal history, broader Anglican history, and yet broader Christian history that ties in more closely with the Anglican heritage (this includes a good number of saints from the early church).
Because of its encyclopedic quality, it is very readable and holds the attention well. Although the entries aren't directly cross-referenced, they do lead well into one another, and invariably I find that whenever I am looking up a term, person or thing, I spend a great deal of time reading and skimming, learning yet more that I didn't know before.
So, if you want to be certain of being able to tell your apse from your Elohim, this just might be the book for you. It is a valuable reference tool for any Anglican or Episcopalian, and I find new things in the book each time I open it.
The title says it all -- A User-Friendly Reference.......2000-02-04
I found this to be a great reference book, with well written articles across a broad variety of topics on the Episcopal Church and Christianity in general. Ive already given away my first copy, and I can't wait to get more copies.
Book Description
In today's world, teaching English as a Second Language (E.S.L.) is big business. An expanding global communications network has made English the international language of choice. In Highway to E.S.L., authors Rik Ruiter and Pinky Dang provide an easy-to-understand guide, not only for individuals seeking a new and rewarding career teaching English, but also for experienced E.S.L. instructors who wish to improve their classroom skills.
Written in a user-friendly format that includes detailed course planning and an appendix containing a variety of useful evaluation forms, Highway To E.S.L. supplies readers with valuable information on how to teach the different disciplines of English—a vital component to successful education in both domestic and international markets. Other key topics include:
· Necessary teaching methodologies and approaches
· Innovative personal teaching tips
· Proficient classroom management
· Troubleshooting common classroom problems
· Efficient planning that utilizes timetables
· Stimulating activity suggestions
· Effective curriculum and lesson planning for grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking
· Incorporating both conventional and non-conventional teaching resources in the classroom
In Highway to E.S.L., Ruiter and Dang answer the common “who, where, when, what, why, and how” questions of both experienced and inexperienced E.S.L. teachers, providing teachers with the vital information needed to educate eager minds.
Customer Reviews:
Not a good book.......2007-05-04
I can't believe the book I just read is the same one so glowingly described by the other reviewers. The authors might be good teachers. They certainly seem friendly, encouraging, and good-humored. But this book is poorly written and poorly edited. There are unwitting occurrences of bad grammar and awkward style on just about every page. A few examples:
- "...my canopy stretched to nearly the same width of the hallway." (p.6)
- "...seminars for the ex-patriot community..." (p.7)
- "To live in a foreign country is an experience that will...open your mind, if you go with an open mind." (p.11)
- "The more research you do, the less surprises...you'll meet." (p.13)
- "Refer to your community business association to...investigate on the reputations of them before you deal with agents." (p.13)
- "What performance expectations and reactions is made of a teacher?" (p.26)
In addition to the constant barrage of grammatical lapses shaking my confidence in the authors' qualifications, I was bothered by the book's strained comparison between learning to teach E.S.L. and learning to drive a car. According to this analogy (which gives the book its title), teaching vocabulary is like parallel parking, teaching writing is like hill parking, teaching vowels and consonants is like driving in rush hour, etc.
I could forgive all the above if the book had sufficient meat on its bones, but the useful information contained in this 359-page book could have been delivered in 100 pages or less. My advice is to skip this book altogether or look for it in a bookstore and jot down some of the references in the Recommended Reading list that concludes each chapter.
Practical Guidance.......2006-02-26
I have gained CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) but I sometimes forget some techniques I've learned from CELTA. It is this book that helps me recall those skills and ways to improve my teaching. I often read it for some brilliant ideas as well as some background info behind the methodology. Great book and great content~
The compact E.S.L. book I was looking for!.......2005-08-22
Hi guys, I don't know if you are like me but I can tell you that I was not enticed at the thought of going to teach in Northern China with one of my suitcases crammed with different books on how to do lesson plans, deal with pronunciation issues (tongue placement, etc.). I collected many good books that covered these topics over time but the bottom line is that there was often no more than 10% of the content that was really practical, the rest was too heavy on theory. This book is pretty complete. I covers a whole gammut of essential topics such as designing placement tests, teaching grammar, pronunciation exercises, class activities, etc. I liked the lesson plan examples. It is one of the only books I have that gives you the specifics on making good lesson plans.
I got a contract to teach in China and I feel comfortable to leave my good ol' books at home. This book is more than enough for my needs.
Great and comprehensive! .......2005-08-22
There are few books out there on how to teach ESL. A bought a few of them a few years ago as I wanted to supplement my income by giving some courses to the numerous immigrants living in the Montreal area. Unfortunatelly, these books were all too academic and were not very comprehensive nor user-friendly. Being a non-native English speaker I needed a book filled with tips, example lesson plans and that was simple and no non-sense. A friend of mine told me to look at this 'Highway to ESL' book. It is by far the closest thing I could find to what I was looking for. In 350 pages it covers the basics and more. I now have a lot of tools and exercises I can use when I have to prepare a class on a short notice. There is a lot of information on the logistic side too: classroom management, lesson planing etc. Not the book for those looking for highly academic prose but if you are looking for a complete tool box all-in-one, this book is worth a try. Recommended for those going to teach overseas.
Books:
- Bizarro and Other Strange Manifestations of the Art of Dan Piraro
- Boys Over Flowers, Volume 23 (Boys Over Flowers)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, Issue 2
- Build It Big: 101 Insider Secrets from Top Direct Selling Experts
- By Design: Why There Are No Locks on the Bathroom Doors in the Hotel Louis XIV and Other Object Lessons
- Caesar: Life of a Colossus
- Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow, Book 1
- Castaway: The Narrative of Alvar Núñez Cageza de Vaca
- Chain of Command : The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib
- Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride
- The Urantia Book: Indexed Version With Free Audio Book on DVD
- The Number We End Up With: A Novel
- Spectral Evidence: The Ramona Case: Incest, Memory, and Truth on Trial in Napa Valley
- The Adventures of Tintin: The Calculus Affair / The Red Sea Sharks / Tintin in Tibet
- The Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit : Expert Methods for Designing, Developing, and Deploying Data
- The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior
- Business Law, Fifth Edition
- The fate of Iciodorum: Being the story of a city made rich by taxation
- Claude Kirk and the Politics of Confrontation
General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Democracy for the Few
Moral Issues in Business
Developing Critical Thinkers : Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting (Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series)
Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (8th Edition)
Critical Thinking
