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Brief review of the Toulmin model of argumentation for the freshman composition course.
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THE TOULMIN MODEL OF
ARGUMENTATIONDr. Alisa Cooper
South Mountain Community Collegehttp://freshmancomp.com
STEPHEN TOULMIN
a modern rhetorician
believed that few arguments actually follow classical models of logic
developed a model that focuses on identifying the basic parts of an argument.
TOULMIN USES
As a researcher and writer, you can use Toulmin's model two ways:
to identify and analyze your sources by identifying the basic elements of the arguments being made, and
to test and critique your own argument.
TOULMIN’S MODEL
Toulmin's theory of argument is based on his model, or layout, of argument.
This model identifies six aspects of argument that are common in any field.
ClaimData
Warrant Reservation
Backing Qualifier
THE TOULMIN MODEL
Claim
Grounds (Data)
Warrant
Backing (Support)
Rebuttal/Reservation
Qualification
CLAIM
A claim is a statement that you are asking the other person to accept.
Example: You should use a hearing aid.
Many people start with a claim
GROUNDS
The grounds (or data) is the basis of real persuasion and is made up of data and hard facts, plus the reasoning behind the claim.
Example: Over 70% of all people over 65 years have a hearing difficulty.
WARRANT
A warrant links data and other grounds to a claim, legitimizing the claim by showing the grounds to be relevant.
Example: A hearing aid helps most people to hear better.
BACKING
The backing (or support) to an argument gives additional support to the warrant by answering different questions.
Example: Hearing aids are available locally.
QUALIFIER
The qualifier indicates the strength of the leap from the data to the warrant and may limit how universally the claim applies.
They include words such as 'most', 'usually', 'always', 'sometimes'.
Example: Hearing aids help most people.
REBUTTAL
Counter-arguments can be used.
A continued dialogue, or by pre-empting the counter-argument by giving the rebuttal during the initial presentation of the argument.
Example: There is a support desk that deals with technical problems.
HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK FOR YOU
Have you ever noticed that when you research both sides of a question, you find yourself being convinced first by one side, and then by the other? Each argument sounds good--at least while you are reading it. When you read an argument which takes an opposite position--that sounds good too, and soon you may feel completely confused.
SOURCES
The Toulmin Model of Argumentation: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~digger/305/toulmin_model.htm
Toulmin Model: http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/rgass/toulmin2.htm
Toulmin's argument model: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/argument/making_argument/toulmin.htm
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