Toulmin Argument

1. Toulmin Argument

2. Definition • A structure of argument that allows for qualified claims

3. Claim: the argument you wish to prove • Qualifiers: any limits you place on your claim • Reasons/evidence: support for your claim • Warrants: underlying assumptions that support your claim • Backing: evidence for warrants

4. My claim is true, to a qualified degree, because of the following reasons, which make sense if you consider the warrant, backed by these additional reasons.

5. Making Claims • Debatable and controversial statements or assertions you hope to prove. • Answers the questions • So what’s your point? • Where do you stand on that?

6. Offering evidence and good reasons • Develop a claim by drawing up a list of reasons to support it or finding evidence that backs up the point. • Personal experience • Anecdotes • Facts • authorities

7. Enthymemes • Putting claims and reasons together to shape an argument. Because  (reason) Therefore  (claim) Since  (warrant)

8. Determining warrants • The logical and persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons and data supporting it. • It tells readers your (often unstated) assumptions. • It answers the question: • How exactly do I get from the data to the claim?

9. Enthymeme examples Bicycle parking spaces should be expanded because the number of bikes on campus far exceeds the available spots. Because: there are more bikes than parking spots for them Therefore: parking spaces should be expanded Since: students use bikes on campus and they need a place to park

10. Another example It’s time to lower the drinking age because I’ve been drinking since I was fourteen and it hasn’t hurt me. Because: I’ve been drinking since age 14 with no harm Therefore: the drinking age should be lowered Since: what works for me should work for everyone else

11. Your turn: Violent video games should be carefully evaluated and their use monitored by the industry, government, and parents because these games cause addiction and psychological harm to the players. Because: Therefore: Since:

12. Backing • This is evidence you offer to support a warrant. • There is no point in defending any claim until you’ve satisfied readers that the warrants on which your claim is based are defensible.

13. Using Qualifiers • Qualifying expressions make writing more precise and honest. • Acknowledge the limitations to your argument through effective use of qualifiers. • Never assume that readers understand the limits you have in mind. Spell them out as precisely as possible.

14. Example use of qualifiers Your LSAT scores are in the 98th percentile. (reason) So (it is likely) you will get into law school. (claim with qualifier) High LSAT scores are an important factor in law school admissions. (since/warrant)

15. Understanding Conditions of Rebuttal • Conditions of rebuttal – potential objections to an argument • Rebuttal is more than mere opposition. • Anticipating objections broadens your horizons, makes you more open to alternative view points, and helps you understand what you need to do to support your claim.

16. Outline of a Toulmin Argument • Claim • Qualifier • Good reasons • Warrants • Backing • Evidence • Authority • Conditions of rebuttal • Responses (to the rebuttal)