A short course, delivered by email.
Free. No required coursework.
Free. No required coursework.
Argument Mapping:
Make your reasoning clear and compelling
Lessons each Tuesday and Thursday for 3 weeks, delivered to your inbox.
Course enrolments close in:
Or get started right away with the online version of this course, which includes quizzes, videos and software.
What's the course about?
This free short course is about how to strengthen your reasoning so you can present a clear and compelling case.
The course is based on argument mapping. The basic idea is that we create diagrams showing the parts of our reasoning, and how they are logically related. These diagrams make it easier for our brains to see what is going on. They also allow us to apply some powerful principles, including one which might well be the single most useful technique in the whole field of logic.
The course is based on argument mapping. The basic idea is that we create diagrams showing the parts of our reasoning, and how they are logically related. These diagrams make it easier for our brains to see what is going on. They also allow us to apply some powerful principles, including one which might well be the single most useful technique in the whole field of logic.
“I just did all your email course this arvo. |
“I am enjoying the course immensely. It is easy to follow, well laid out and presented in a nice easy style” |
“This was much more 'conversational' than I thought it would be, and I like that! In a busy morning, actually taking the time to read an email about argumentation can take an effort of will -- but this was easy, sensible and valuable. Well done!” |
Who teaches the course?
|
Dr. Tim van Gelder
Philosopher/Cognitive Scientist/Consultant/Trainer Tim van Gelder is one of the pioneers of argument mapping, the use of diagrams to improve reasoning and critical thinking. He has been responsible for developing the methodology and leading software tools, and has introduced the approach to intelligence and security agencies in the United States and Australia, as well as law firms, multinational corporations, and universities. He has numerous publications and awards in this area. He is a Principal in his Melbourne-based consultancy van Gelder & Monk, and (from 2017) an Enterprise Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. |
What's in the course?
The course is focused on how to strengthen your reasoning so that you can present the most clear and compelling case for some position - whether it be in a business proposal, a risk assessment, an intelligence product, a progress report, or any other serious task.
Each Tuesday and Thursday for 3 weeks, you'll receive a lesson on Argument Mapping. Your first lesson will arrive on the Tuesday after enrolment closes.
The course isn’t just theory. You will learn valuable practical tools that you can start using immediately.
The course is a highly condensed version of advanced material covered in multi-day workshops and semester-long university subjects. It presents the most essential ideas in an rapidly digestible format.
The course is free so that knowledge of argument mapping and its benefits can spread widely. For anyone interested in a deeper dive, there are more advanced options available at learn.vangeldermonk.com.
Each Tuesday and Thursday for 3 weeks, you'll receive a lesson on Argument Mapping. Your first lesson will arrive on the Tuesday after enrolment closes.
The course isn’t just theory. You will learn valuable practical tools that you can start using immediately.
The course is a highly condensed version of advanced material covered in multi-day workshops and semester-long university subjects. It presents the most essential ideas in an rapidly digestible format.
The course is free so that knowledge of argument mapping and its benefits can spread widely. For anyone interested in a deeper dive, there are more advanced options available at learn.vangeldermonk.com.
Content
How to help your brain organise your arguments
Lesson 1/6: Making your core arguments.
Introduces argument mapping and shows you how to start mapping out primary reasons.
Introduces argument mapping and shows you how to start mapping out primary reasons.
The best offense is a good defense
Lesson 2/6: Countering objections.
Covers why and how you should anticipate and respond to major objections.
Covers why and how you should anticipate and respond to major objections.
The most common problem in reasoning and how to fix it
Lesson 3/6: Making your CASE.
Introduces abstraction, a key concept in well-organised reasoning, using a simple general template, the CASE schema.
Introduces abstraction, a key concept in well-organised reasoning, using a simple general template, the CASE schema.
Your argument has holes. Here's how to fill them.
Lesson 4/6: Defending your assumptions.
Shows how to represent and defend the assumptions behind your reasoning.
Shows how to represent and defend the assumptions behind your reasoning.
The most useful tool in the whole field of logic
Lesson 5/6: Finding your hidden vulnerabilities
Provides a simple technique for effectively identifying hidden weak spots in your reasoning.
Provides a simple technique for effectively identifying hidden weak spots in your reasoning.
Presenting your case so that even your boss can follow it
Lesson 6/6: Presenting with impact.
Explains how to present well-structured reasoning in a document so the reader can understand it and appreciate its strengths.
Explains how to present well-structured reasoning in a document so the reader can understand it and appreciate its strengths.
Who's the course for?
This email course will be useful to analysts, lawyers, auditors, consultants, and more generally anyone who needs to make their "on the job" reasoning more clear and compelling.
Tim van Gelder has taught better reasoning to literally thousands of people at all levels over the last two decades.
Generally this work has been behind closed doors of serious organisations, but now these proven methods are being made more widely available.
Tim van Gelder has taught better reasoning to literally thousands of people at all levels over the last two decades.
Generally this work has been behind closed doors of serious organisations, but now these proven methods are being made more widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the time commitment?
Each lesson is the length of an average news article, so you can digest it easily in a single sitting (about 5 to 15 minutes per lesson).
Properly absorbing the material and acquiring new skills can take much longer, so you might find yourself wanting to allocate more time. Of course, how much time you devote is entirely up to you.
2. Can I study at my own pace?
Yes. There is no requirement to complete a lesson by a particular time. You’ll receive two lessons per week, for three weeks. You can read those lessons at your convenience, and complete the course at your own pace.
3. Can I do the course on my mobile phone?
Yes. Each email lesson is also optimised to display on your mobile phone, so you can study anywhere, anytime. For example, it’s quite possible to complete this course on your daily commute, or over lunch or breakfast.
4. Are there any exercises?
There are a few small optional exercises in the lessons.
Lessons each Tuesday and Thursday for 3 weeks, delivered to your inbox.
Course enrolments close in:
Or get started right away with the online version of this course, which includes quizzes, videos and software.