What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently praise 'The Art of Argument' for its engaging, visually appealing layout and its effective use of humor to teach 28 informal fallacies. Cathy Duffy and other authoritative sources highlight its strength in the classical trivium, noting that it makes a potentially dry subject accessible. Many families appreciate the mock advertisements used to illustrate logical errors, which resonate well with middle schoolers. However, a recurring critique on forums like Well-Trained Mind is that the text can be dense or wordy, occasionally requiring parent intervention to clarify concepts. While published by Classical Academic Press, a Christian publisher, the curriculum is often used by secular families who find the religious content manageable or easily adaptable. The optional video series is highly recommended by users to model healthy debate and deepen student engagement.

How It Works

A typical week involves two to three sessions of about 30 to 45 minutes each, usually centered around the student text and the optional video lessons. The student reads a chapter explaining a specific logical fallacy—such as an 'Ad Hominem' attack—and analyzes the humorous mock advertisements provided in the book to see how that fallacy works in the real world. Parents and students then watch a 10-15 minute video segment where a teacher and students debate the fallacy, followed by the student completing written exercises that require identifying errors in short paragraphs. The parent’s role is primarily to lead a discussion using the teacher’s edition to check answers and explore how these logical errors appear in current news or family conversations.

Switching to This?

Classical Academic Press does not offer a formal placement test for this curriculum because it serves as the foundational entry point for their logic series. The community rule of thumb is to start here in 7th or 8th grade, regardless of previous experience, as it introduces the vocabulary and 'fallacy library' used in later books. Families can easily start mid-year because the 28 fallacies are taught in distinct chapters, though it is best to begin at the start of the book to understand the basic definitions of logic provided in the first unit. If you are switching from a more casual resource like 'The Fallacy Detective,' expect a significant increase in writing requirements and a more systematic, academic approach to definitions.

Curriculum Details

Price

$28 - $124

Student Edition is ~$28.95; Teacher's Edition ~$32.95; Video streaming or DVD sets and full bundles range from $90 to $125.

Grades

7 - 9

Available As

Print Digital Workbook Video

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Logic & Critical Thinking

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

20-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Christian

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

When compared to 'The Fallacy Detective,' 'The Art of Argument' is more structured and academic, making it better for parents who want a full-credit course rather than a casual supplement. Against 'Memoria Press Traditional Logic,' this curriculum focuses on informal logic—the everyday errors found in advertisements and politics—whereas Memoria Press focuses on the rigid, mathematical structure of syllogisms. Parents often weigh it against 'The Thinking Toolbox,' finding that while 'The Thinking Toolbox' builds general reasoning skills, 'The Art of Argument' provides a specific vocabulary for identifying 28 distinct types of bad arguments. Compared to its sequel, 'The Discovery of Deduction,' this book is much more visual and conversational, serving as the necessary 'easy' introduction before moving into the more abstract concepts of formal logic. Choosing this over a secular logic workbook usually comes down to the engagement level; families find the 'mock ads' and video debates in this program much more effective at holding a middle schooler's attention than standard black-and-white worksheets.