TOULMIN MODEL OF ARGUMENT

A method to divide parts of an argument

STEPHEN TOULMIN

Stephen Toulmin, a professor at the University of Southern California developed the Toulmin Model of Argument to help analyze arguments that are read and heard in every day life. The Toulmin Model helps to show how constructed arguments are and how each part of an argument relates to the overall validity or reasonableness of an agrument..

CLAIMSGROUNDSWARRANTBACKING

RESERVATIONS/ REBUTTALQUALIFIER

There are 6 parts in the Toulmin Model

CLAIMS A claim is a main point, thesis, or

idea. The claim is the what the arguer is trying to prove, propose and conclude.

Example:“ The Los Angeles Lakers will win another championship this year because they won last year.”

GROUNDS Grounds are the reason provided to

support the claim. They are evidence, proof, and arguments.

The support of a claim can be facts, statistics, expert opinions, examples, explanations, and logical reasoning.

Example: “The Los Angeles Lakers will win the championship because they have the best defense in the NBA.”

WARRANTS Is the logic principal of the

argument. The warrant connects the claim

with the grounds. Usually begin with words like all,

every, any, anytime, or whenever. Example: “Every team in the NBA

with the best defense has one the championship. “

BACKING Is the specific date which is used to

justify and support the grounds and warrant.

Example: “ The NBA team with the best defense won last year.”

RESERVATIONS/REBUTTAL Exceptions that may be offered to

the claim. Are “unlesses” to the warrant. Admits to those circumstances or

situations where the argument would not hold.

Example: “The Los Angeles Lakers will win the championship this year unless Kobe Bryan gets injured.”

QUALIFIERS

States the degree of force or probability to be attached to the claim.

States how sure the arguer is about his/her claim.

They include words such as usually, most, always, or sometimes.

EXAMPLE: “ Most NBA teams with the best defense win the championship.”

MAIN CONCEPT OF THE TOULMIN MODEL The Toulmin method, in short, is an

effective way of getting to the how and why levels of the argument. It is a type of communication break down that allows us to divide an argument into its different parts (such as claim, reasons, and evidence) so that we can make judgments on how well the different parts work together.