Reddit reviews Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic

I use this in my informal logic class. Start there.

Buy this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Arguments-Introduction-Informal-Logic/dp/053462586X

I think instructors, particularly those not well versed in logic, find teaching argumentation itself daunting. A list of "don'ts" seems more agreeable. Look at the result: hypercritical knowitalls who shout "straw man" and "ad hominem" and can't form arguments of their own.

I'm coming more to the side of not teaching fallacies as an introduction to logic. Instead, focus on making proper arguments. A scholar so trained can identify poor form or content.

I have noticed that teaching fallacies causes students to identify problems where there are none due to misunderstandings. More to the point, a knowledge of fallacies does not mean a knowledge of correct structure.

Teach the structure first.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Arguments-Introduction-Informal-Logic/dp/053462586X