Toulmin Argument

1
Toulmin Argument

• The Toulmin Model, developed by British logician
  Stephen Toulmin, identified a 6-step process of
  logical argumentation which employs both
  inductive and deductive logic.
• Toulmin identified elements of a persuasive
  argument which provide useful categories by which
  an argument may be analyzed.

2
Claim

• A claim is the statement or proposition that you
  are asking other people to accept. This includes
  information you are asking them to accept as true
  or actions you want them to accept and enact.
• Scenario Lately you keep having to repeat
  everything to your grandfather. What is an
  example of a claim you might make to him?
• Why isnt a claim enough?

3
Grounds

• The grounds (or data) are the basis of real
  persuasion and are made up of data and hard
  facts, plus the reasoning behind the claim. It is
  the truth on which the claim is based. Grounds
  may also include proof of expertise and the basic
  premises on which the rest of the argument is
  built.
• The actual truth of the data may be less than
  100, as all data is based on perception and
  hence has some element of assumption about it.

4
Grounds (contd.)

• It is critical to the argument that the grounds
  are not challenged because if they are, they may
  become a claim, which you will need to prove with
  even deeper information and further argument.
• What is an example of grounds or data for your
  earlier claim?
• Why is data so important to an argument?

5
Warrant

• This is the inference that makes the connection
  between the claim and the grounds. It
  legitimizes the claim by showing the grounds to
  be relevant.
• It is often unstated and is based on assumptions.
  
• Example That dog is probably a good swimmer
  (claim). It is a Yellow Lab (grounds). What is
  the warrant?

6
Warrant (contd.)

• It answers the unspoken audience questions of
  Why does that data mean your claim is true? or
  How did you arrive at that claim based upon the
  data presented?
• What might be a warrant you could offer in the
  argument with your grandfather?
• Warrants may be based on logos, ethos, or pathos,
  or values that are assumed to be shared with the
  listener.
• Example Needle exchange programs should be
  abolished claim because they only cause more
  people to use drugs. What is the warrant here?

7
Warrant (contd.)

• A warrant can be classified according to purpose
  and type
• Authoritative
• Motivational
• Substantive
• Authoritative warrants rely on expert testimony
  to verify a claim generically state that
  qualified sources conclude that based on this
  data the following conclusion is justified
  dependent on backing offered in terms of expert
  testimony
• What is an example of an authoritative warrant
  used by MLK in Letter from Birmingham Jail?

8
Warrant (contd.)

• Motivational warrants rely on appeals to the
  audiences convictions, virtues, and values to
  support the claim. Speakers must rely on precise
  audience analysis in order to understand what
  motivational appeals would be effective.
• What is an example of a motivational warrant used
  by MLK?

9
Warrant (contd.)

• Substantive warrants more closely resemble
  traditional forms of logical reasoning. Several
  types of reasoning processes
• Cause-Effect/Effect-Cause (MLK I-it vs.
  I-thou
• Example
• Classification

10
Backing

• Backing is support material that supports the
  warrant in the argument.
• Helps audience understand the reasoning used in
  the warrant.
• This is additional justification or reasons to
  back up the warrant. Backing can help audience
  understand the reasoning used in the warrant.
  With backing, the argument (and the speaker)
  seems more credible.
• Without backing, audience may question the
  reasoning in the argument.

11
Backing (contd.)

• Can include any type of support material
  statistics, examples, testimony.
• Statistics use numbers to quantify things, but
  they can create an illusion of truth (There
  are lies, damn lies, and statistics.).
• What might be common sources of statistics?

12
Backing (contd.)

• Examples are concrete instances or situations
  that illustrate the warrant.
• Clearer because they provide a real world
  illustration of what is being said.
• There is a danger in generalizing an example to
  be true in all situations.

13
Backing (contd.)

• Testimony involves use of expert opinion or
  personal experience, both of which can add
  credibility.
• Example of Backing Claim The government
  should tax companies for the pollution they
  produce. Warrant Pollution harms the health of
  citizens. Possible Backing statistics from
  scientific studies on effects of air pollution.

14
Backing (contd.)

• Another example Claim Handguns should be
  banned. Grounds Handguns were involved in
  20,000 deaths last year. Warrant Handguns
  cause needless deaths. Backing a quote from
  James Brady, former Reagan press secretary, who
  was shot and permanently injured by John Hinckley.

15
Reservation/Rebuttal

• An exception to the claim presented by the
  arguer.
• In Toulmins model, arguments are not universally
  true. The rebuttal demonstrates how arguments
  can be strengthened via the limitations of the
  argument.
• Example Claim Air pollution is the number one
  risk to the environment. Rebuttal The nuclear
  hazard around Chernobyl far outweighs the risk of
  air pollution.
• What might be a rebuttal in the handgun argument?

16
Qualifier

• Because Toulmin advocated practical reasoning,
  all arguments have relative strength. Qualifiers
  verbalize the relative strength of an argument.
• Qualifiers represent the soundness or worth of an
  argument or indicate the strength of the leap
  from the data to the warrant and may limit how
  universally the claim applies.

17
Qualifier (contd.)

• Example If you were arguing that a certain film
  is one people would enjoy, you might say people
  will probably enjoy it since you cannot predict
  with certainty the subjective experience of
  others.
• Another example Claim Handguns are leading to
  the destruction of the school system. Qualifier
  Handguns are likely one of the key factors
  leading to the erosion of American schools.
• What is an example of a qualifier for the claim
  about your grandfathers hearing?