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