Structuring Arguments. Toulmin s Model

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1 Structuring Arguments

2 Claim The basic element of any argument A statement or assertion you intend to argue

3 Claim Should be Controversial Debatable Answer the question What is the point? Not a question

4 Claim Examples: Kids shouldn t play with guns. Ralph s has the best chili cheese fries This is the worst intersection in town

5 Reasons A claim is usually incomplete without some reasons to back it up Types of reasons available Personal experience Anecdotes Facts Authority

6 Examples of Claims with Reasons: This is the worst intersection in town, because there have been twice as many accidents here in the last year. This is the worst intersection in town because it seems like I always get stuck at a red light.

7 Reasons A complete claim and reason many times makes a thesis statement Further claims, reasons, and data would be given within the essay to support the thesis

8 Warrants The logical connection between claims and reasons May be stated, but often unstated

9 Sample Warrants This is the worst intersection in town, because there have been twice as many accidents here in the last year. Warrant: accidents are bad

10 Sample Warrants This is the worst intersection in town because it seems like I always get stuck at a red light. Warrant: What discomforts me is bad in general

11 Sample Warrants Marijuana should be legalized because it isn t fair that people can go to jail just for smoking pot. Warrant: I want to smoke pot and not get busted

12 Warrants Many times, evidence is also needed to support the warrant Backing Example Accidents are bad. Accidents cost safe drivers every year in insurance premiums Accidents cost society in lost people, lost work hours, and lost time in traffic

13 Qualifiers What makes Toulmin s model unique is that it allows for qualification of an argument Formal logic requires a universal premise

14 Qualifiers Examples Formal logic: Killing people is unethical Qualified Toulmin claim: In most cases, killing another person is unethical. Many times, the qualification may require further explanation When one kills in the defense of helpless others, then killing someone may be the only ethical choice.

15 Conditions of Rebuttal Graves and Hodges added to Toulmin s model the idea that at all times the writer must be in conversation with the reader Must imagine any possible rebuttals to the claim, reason, warrant, and qualification, and modify as necessary to address those conditions

16 Example of Conditions of Rebuttal in action Claim, Reason, Warrant: Colleges should start offering free and/or reduced lunches to students, similar to public schools, because even adult learners learn better when properly fed. Rebuttal: How are you going to pay for that?

17 Revised Claim: Colleges should start including the cost of lunch into tuition, which can be applied to student aid, as even adult learners learn better when properly fed.

18 Applying Toulmin to Researched Writing It may seem difficult to apply a model of argumentation to your essays, but if you keep some main ideas in mind, your arguments can be improved with the use of Toulmin s ideas

19 Applying Toulmin to Researched Writing Claims should be stated clearly and qualified carefully Claims should be supported Claims should be based on assumptions readers will likely accept All parts of an argument need the support of solid evidence Effective arguments anticipate objection

20 Practice Identify the main parts of Toulmin s Model in each of the following arguments, including any assumptions or missing components. The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because a lot of kids drink, so it seems silly to have a law that doesn t work.

21 Practice The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because one can join the military at that age. If you can go to war, you can drink! The reason the Stacy doesn t like you is that you were rude to her at the dance. You need to learn to be more thoughtful of others.