This guide investigates the fundamental challenge of constructing persuasive academic arguments that effectively engage a reader's interest. Authors Laura Miller and Kurt Schick provide a structured framework for students to move beyond simple summary and toward critical analysis. By focusing on the 'so what' factor, the text teaches writers how to articulate the significance of their claims within a broader intellectual context.

Educators frequently utilize this text as a foundational resource for undergraduate composition courses. Experts highlight the clarity of the prose and the direct applicability of the provided writing tools for students struggling with argumentative structure.