Writing tips &
Toulmin’s Theory of Argumentation
Professor Duane Truex CIS department & Institute of International Business
2012
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Writing Feedback(1) : Plagiarism
Representing someone else’s words and thoughts as your own. It is wrong, it is against the rules It will result in a failing grade or worse (see the syllabus)
Even in a simple case analysis ATTRIUBTE YOUR SOURCES
IF you are quoting then enclose by quotes and identify the source and page number
IF you are paraphrasing then say something akin to: according to xxx … The authors say that…
The general principle is FULL DISCLOSURE, when in doubt err towards the conservative.
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Feedback(2) : Grammar
Seek grammatical clarity and simplicity as well as correctness.
Pay attention to the noun objects, e.g., A system, the developers, an organization
Be ruthless with verb noun agreement in tense and plural vs. singular use.
To whom or what does your pronoun refer? They were… --WHO were??
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Feedback(3) –Rhetorical points
Make a transition between paragraphs
Support all points/claims. Do not assume that the reader will follow, lead her.
Beware of gratuitous throw-away and filler statements like: As everybody knows (they don’t) It is obvious or obviously (It rarely is ‘obvious’) It is inevitable, right like the stock market will
keep going up
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Feedback(4) : Logical flow Seek parsimony and clarity
Do you include the five W’s (Who, what, why, when and where)
Should you write in the “royal‘We’”? Passive tense? First person? It is your analysis, first person is acceptable.
Be mindful of verb tense: past, present, future, future perfect
ALL claims must be supported by warrants to the claim’s efficacy and correctness! Go to the theories of argumentation web site
To whom or what does your pronoun refer? They were… --WHO were??
Limit the use of buzz words and abbreviations (and always make abbreviations clear when they are used)
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Toulmin's Layout of Argumentation
Rhetorical instantiation of principles derived from formal logic.
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
See the University of Nebraska-Lincoln “Toulmin Project” website at : http://www.unl.edu/speech/comm109/Toulmin/
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Toulmin Project “…is designed to teach interested individuals about a theory of argumentation developed by Stephen Toulmin. Toulmin's theory is used in a variety of communication classes including our Fundamentals of Communication course, Public Speaking, Business and Professional Speaking, Communication Theory, Interpersonal Communication, and others. This theory is also used in some philosophy and english composition courses. The purpose of the web site is to introduce students to the theory so that they can use it to evaluate arguments or to construct their own. By clicking the buttons below, you can move through the web site.”
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Feedback(5) –
Rhetorical and Style pointers Make a bridge or transition between
paragraphs
Support points/claims
Beware of gratuitous throw-away and filler statements like: As everybody knows (they don’t) It is obvious or obviously (It rarely is ‘obvious’) It is common knowledge that… The general assumption is….
Most parenthetical phrases (you know the added mid sentence material) appear to be after thoughts. If it is important enough to include make it a
separate sentence. Otherwise dump it.
Professor Truex Organizational Information Systems
Feedback(6) –Document format and style Do Not use bullet points in the write up. Use but
full sentences in well-formed paragraphs and, if needed, enumerated lists.
12 pt type, double space between paragraphs. Make it visibly easy on the reader’s eye.