Toulmin Argument Model Model Three: The Final Model.
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Transcript of Toulmin Argument Model Model Three: The Final Model.
About the Toulmin Model Created by a British philosopher, Stephen
Toulmin
Most people don’t use formal (classical) logic; their reasoning is unstructured and messy
Acknowledges that life is not clear cut, so it isn’t airtight.
Less about the order than about the elements.
The Claim Debatable and
controversial statements or assertions you hope to prove
Can be demonstrated using logic or evidence
Arguments depend on the conditions set by others—the audience
The sky is blue.
Whoa!
Well actually that’s an illusion
caused by…
Claims (continued) Though
arguments have a central claim, or thesis, they generally feature several claims throughout.
Stitch is a part of Lilo family.
Evidence and Good Reasons The support for the
claim. Combine a reason
with your claim to form an enthymeme. Enthymeme – an
informal syllogism, in which one claim is implicit.
Topic sentences?
Stitch is a part of Lilo’s family because they care
about one another.
The Warrant This is the logical and
persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons/data supporting it
The speaker’s often unstated assumptions
Warrants can be stated or implied.
NOOO!
The Warrant (continued) The warrant is the bridge connecting the
reason to the claim.
Reason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
Stitch and Lilo care about each other.
So Stitch is a part of Lilo’s family.
Since Family members care about each other.
Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
The mushroom is poisonous.
So don’t eat it!
Since eating poisonous things is dangerous
Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
Cheerios can help you lower your cholesterol
by 4% in 6 weeks.
So you should buy Cheerios.
Since lowering your cholesterol improves
overall health.
Why Warrants Matter… The audience must agree with the
warrant for the argument to be persuasive.
Warrant
Readers Accept
Present Evidence
Readers don’t accept
Convince of Warrant
Present Evidence
Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
I don’t like grades.So grades in college should be abolished.
Since what I don’t like should be abolished.
Warrant ExamplesReason (s) So Claim
Since Warrant
Flat taxes treat all taxpayers the same
way.
So flat taxes are fairer than progressive taxes.
Since treating people equally is the American
way.
People with more income can afford to pay more and benefit
more from government.
So progressive taxes are fairer than flat
taxes.
Since people should be taxed according to their
ability to pay.
Backing This is the
evidence used to support a warrant.
Stitch and Lilo care about each other.
So Stitch is a part of Lilo’s
family.
Since Family members care
about each other.
The term “ohana” means family, and that “no one
gets left behind or forgotten.” Thus,
according to “ohana,” families are shaped by
deliberately forged emotional connections.
Evidence Uses clear
examples and concrete details to substantiate the author’s claim.
Must be clearly linked (through the warrant) to the claim.
Lilo shows she cares about Stitch by offering him unwavering love, even
when Stitch fails to return it. Stitch shows he cares
about Lilo by attempting to reform and by sacrificing his freedom to save her.
Conditions of Rebuttal Throughout the
argument, the speaker acknowledges potential objections to the argument.
This can lead to revised claims and reasons (based on weak warrants), concessions, or refutations.
Even though they fight and yell, Lilo and
Stitch care about each other. Sure, their family is small and broken, but it is still
good. Still good.
Reading is love.
Qualifiers Words or phrases
that place limits on claims. This is a contrast to
classical argument and its reliance on deduction. “All humans are
mortal…” Makes writing more
precise and honest.
Your SAT scores are in the 98th percentile, so it is likely you will get into a good college.
someOne might argue
sometimes
Under
these
conditio
ns
perhaps
The federal government should ban smoking in public spaces because smoking causes serious diseases in smokers.
Don’t eat me!
Ending Toulmin Beneficial because it most accurately reflects
how people make arguments. Teaches important concepts:
Claims should be clearly stated and qualified carefully
Claims should be supported with evidence and good reasons
Speakers (and their audiences) should be aware of speakers’ assumptions (and how they agree with audiences’ values)
Effective arguments anticipate objections Toulmin can be used to analyze any type of
argument.