Discusses how the development of critical thinking skills is inhibited in many students because they under-conceptualize the context in which controversy occurs. Suggests ways to raise students' awareness of being involved in a continuing debate, such as using written dialogue as a basis for extending a writing assignment that combines exposition,…

Provides several research questions regarding discourse theory, which can be answered by classroom teachers of writing using their students' writing. (DD)

Examines three basic approaches for teaching argument in a composition class--logical/analytic, content/problem solving, and rhetorical/generative. Discusses the problems of each and defends the rhetorical/generative approach as the one that reaches its goal most directly and most reliably. (HTH)