Toulmin/Warrants Notes

Toulmin Arguments

Claim

• Think of the claim in an argument as the most general statement in the argument. It may not be a particularly general statement all by itself, and some claims for arguments are very narrow. But the claim in an argument is like the umbrella statement that all other parts of an argument have to fall under. If a reason (or evidence) doesn't fall under the umbrella of the claim, then it’s irrelevant.

Toulmin Arguments

Data • Data is the information that generates the claim in

theory. More often, it is searched for after the claim is provided, but ideally, the claim will come from careful analysis of the data. • “the evidence, facts, data, and information that are the reason for the claim in the first place‐ a reasoned beginning” (Ross, 1985). • Data is significant because it establishes the basis of the argument. In effect, the data is the starting point from which all sound arguments must begin. • Types of Data: Anecdotal, Testimony, Statistics

Toulmin Arguments

Warrants

• These are the assumptions or presuppositions underlying the argument. Warrants are generally accepted beliefs and values, common ways our culture or society views things; because they are so commonplace, warrants are almost always unstated and implied. The author and audience may either share these beliefs, or the author’s warrants may be in conflict with audience’s generally held beliefs and cultural norms and values. Warrants are important because they are the "common ground" of author and audience; shared warrants invite the audience to participate by unconsciously supplying part of the argument. Warrants are also important because they provide the underlying reasons linking the claim and the support. You can infer the warrants by asking, "What’s causing the author to say the things s/he does" or "Where’s the author coming from?” Warrants can be ethical statements like “humans should respect animals’ rights” or factual arguments like “Congress has the authority to pass nation‐wide laws.”

Toulmin Arguments

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

That mushroom is poisonous

So don’t eat it

Toulmin Arguments

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

That mushroom is poisonous

So don’t eat it

What is the connection between the Reasons and the

Claim?

In other words, how do I get from here

To here?

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

That mushroom is poisonous

So don’t eat it

Since Warrant

Since eating poisonous things is

dangerous

Toulmin Arguments

That mushroom is poisonous

So don’t eat it

Since eating poisonous things is

dangerous

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

Smoking causes diseases in smokers and nonsmokers.

So the federal gov. should ban smoking

Since government should protect its

citizens from harmful actions

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

I’ve been drinking since 14 without problems.

So the legal age for drinking should be lowered.

Since what works for me should work for

everyone else.

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

Books should not be banned from schools.

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

Toulmin Warrants

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

Toulmin Practice

Evidences & Reasons

So Claim

Since Warrant

In groups of three, identify three claims (you can use your newswatch topics for help) A. Make a list of evidences or reasons (limit yourself to one or two) B. As a group, try to identify the warrant. Repeat the process for the other claims.

Toulmin Arguments

Backing

• These are the assumptions or presuppositions underlying the argument. Warrants are generally accepted beliefs and values, common ways our culture or society views things; because they are so commonplace, warrants are almost always unstated and implied. The author and audience may either share these beliefs, or the author’s, so each warrant should be backed unless it is universal.

Toulmin Arguments

Rebuttal • The Rebuttal (or Reservation) is an exception to the claim

presented by the arguer. In Toulmin’s model, arguments are not considered to be true without analysis. The rebuttal demonstrates how arguments can be strengthened (and made more correct) by acknowledging the limits of the argument.

Qualifier

• The Qualifier is recognition of the rebuttal. After analyzing one’s argument and acknowledging its limits, the rhetor should signify his/her new statement with the qualifier statement. Qualifiers are often words like

• Except • Unless • Other than