Toulmin Argument ModelModel Three: The Final Model

About the Toulmin Model Created by a British philosopher, Stephen

Toulmin

Most people don’t use formal (classical) logic; their reasoning is unstructured and messy

Acknowledges that life is not clear cut, so it isn’t airtight.

Less about the order than about the elements.

The Claim Debatable and

controversial statements or assertions you hope to prove

Can be demonstrated using logic or evidence

Arguments depend on the conditions set by others—the audience

The sky is blue.

Whoa!

Well actually that’s an illusion

caused by…

Claims (continued) Though

arguments have a central claim, or thesis, they generally feature several claims throughout.

Stitch is a part of Lilo family.

Evidence and Good Reasons The support for the

claim. Combine a reason

with your claim to form an enthymeme. Enthymeme – an

informal syllogism, in which one claim is implicit.

Topic sentences?

Stitch is a part of Lilo’s family because they care

about one another.

BUT WAIT! We skipped a step…

The Warrant This is the logical and

persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons/data supporting it

The speaker’s often unstated assumptions

Warrants can be stated or implied.

NOOO!

The Warrant (continued) The warrant is the bridge connecting the

reason to the claim.

Reason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

Stitch and Lilo care about each other.

So Stitch is a part of Lilo’s family.

Since Family members care about each other.

Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

The mushroom is poisonous.

So don’t eat it!

Since eating poisonous things is dangerous

Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

Cheerios can help you lower your cholesterol

by 4% in 6 weeks.

So you should buy Cheerios.

Since lowering your cholesterol improves

overall health.

Why Warrants Matter… The audience must agree with the

warrant for the argument to be persuasive.

Warrant

Readers Accept

Present Evidence

Readers don’t accept

Convince of Warrant

Present Evidence

Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

I don’t like grades.So grades in college should be abolished.

Since what I don’t like should be abolished.

Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim

Since Warrant

Flat taxes treat all taxpayers the same

way.

So flat taxes are fairer than progressive taxes.

Since treating people equally is the American

way.

People with more income can afford to pay more and benefit

more from government.

So progressive taxes are fairer than flat

taxes.

Since people should be taxed according to their

ability to pay.

Backing This is the

evidence used to support a warrant.

Stitch and Lilo care about each other.

So Stitch is a part of Lilo’s

family.

Since Family members care

about each other.

The term “ohana” means family, and that “no one

gets left behind or forgotten.” Thus,

according to “ohana,” families are shaped by

deliberately forged emotional connections.

Evidence Uses clear

examples and concrete details to substantiate the author’s claim.

Must be clearly linked (through the warrant) to the claim.

Lilo shows she cares about Stitch by offering him unwavering love, even

when Stitch fails to return it. Stitch shows he cares

about Lilo by attempting to reform and by sacrificing his freedom to save her.

Conditions of Rebuttal Throughout the

argument, the speaker acknowledges potential objections to the argument.

This can lead to revised claims and reasons (based on weak warrants), concessions, or refutations.

Even though they fight and yell, Lilo and

Stitch care about each other. Sure, their family is small and broken, but it is still

good. Still good.

Reading is love.

Qualifiers Words or phrases

that place limits on claims. This is a contrast to

classical argument and its reliance on deduction. “All humans are

mortal…” Makes writing more

precise and honest.

Your SAT scores are in the 98th percentile, so it is likely you will get into a good college.

someOne might argue

sometimes

Under

these

conditio

ns

perhaps

The federal government should ban smoking in public spaces because smoking causes serious diseases in smokers.

Don’t eat me!

Ending Toulmin Beneficial because it most accurately reflects

how people make arguments. Teaches important concepts:

Claims should be clearly stated and qualified carefully

Claims should be supported with evidence and good reasons

Speakers (and their audiences) should be aware of speakers’ assumptions (and how they agree with audiences’ values)

Effective arguments anticipate objections Toulmin can be used to analyze any type of

argument.