Structuring arguments: The Toulmin logic Greg Berry, Group 2 Instructor: Susan Hagan – ENL 260-71 February 14, 2017 Presentation Project Audience: ENL260 Class

Introduction As Stephen Toulmin began The Uses of Argument, “The purpose of these studies is to raise problems, not solve them.” (1). The job for a writer is not to provide a long written logical outcome for the world’s problems, merely to present many of the existing facts and give their own opinion on the matter. We will dive into the following pieces of the Toulmin Argument: Claim Qualifiers Reason(s)/Evidence Warrants Conclusion Conditions of Rebuttal

claim Billy joel is the greatest pop musician When making your claim, have conviction, “facing issues squarely takes thought and guts” (Lunsford and Ruxakiewicz 132). Belief in your topic is among the most important items in constructing an argument. Utilize personal experiences when making your claim; what are the biggest joys or disappointments you’ve had?

qualifiers Of the last 40 years “Toulmin logic encourages you to acknowledge limitations to your argument through the effective use of qualifiers” (Lunsford and Ruxakiewicz 142). Each argument you make in everyday life is bound to have outliers, Toulmin makes the suggestion that as opposed to proving your way around it, attack it head-on to frame your argument. 2017 Artwork used from <https://www.billyjoel.com/galleries/> 1977

warrants In order to make a convincing argument, there “must be a logical and persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons and data supporting it” (Lunsford and Ruxakiewicz 135). Much like we would see in the legal world; a warrant must exist before we can see the evidence in your case Reason Billy Joel is a terrific musician Claim Billy Joel is the greatest pop musician Warrant No other pop musicians are better than Billy Joel Artwork used from <https://www.billyjoel.com/galleries/>

Reason(s) / evidence Concert Years Top 40 Hits Grammy Nominations Reasons and evidence are the primary backup to a claim. Utilize these areas: Personal Experience ○ Anecdotes Facts ○ Authorities However keep in mind the reasons you provide, as Fredrick Will highlights in his review of The Uses of Arguments “Toulmin's principal contention … is that the requirement of analyticity … is a preposterously unreasonable one” (401). This is to say if your evidence is obvious to anyone involved, it will likely not be challenged. Reason(s) / evidence Concert Years Top 40 Hits Grammy Nominations Album Units Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 1977 1979 1980 1982 33 23 82.5 MM 1999 1986 1989 1993 1994 1998 2002 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 1 http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-songwriters 2 http://www.businessinsider.com/best-selling-music-artists-of-all-time-2016-9/ Personal Experience: I have attended many Bill Joel concerts and enjoyed them immensely Anecdotes: Many family and friends also enjoy his music Facts: See Chart Authorities: Rolling Stone named Joel in the top 50 Songwriters1 & Business Insider highlights him as #6 of top selling artists of all-time2

backing Bill Joel has an immense musical catalog Consistently running multiple worldwide tours covering 4 decades with impeccable showmanship Songs with immediate recognition (especially late night with a piano / juke box, see inset video) Fast forward to the 1:00 mark for a sing along example A warrant without any or sufficient defense is useless and easily dismissible to a reader. Lunsford and Ruxakiewicz tell us that there is little use “defending any claim until you’ve satisfied readers that questionable warrants on which the claim is based are defensible” (141).

Conditions of rebuttal When building an argument, it is always helpful to be prepared for the counterpoints. Toulmin calls this conditions of rebuttal. Conditions of rebuttal are useful in two ways: Uncovering new evidence where the author’s claims may not be as strong Harnessing the ability to see the opposing thoughts and highlight alternatives How do they compare? Garth Brooks – Different genre, not as universal Eagles – Slightly outside 40 year realm, internal strife lead to break-up Michael Jackson – Died too soon, abandoned making new music Elton John – (toughest argument) solid peer with shared concerts, but lacks the sales numbers by comparison Bob Dylan – Lacks the on-stage showmanship of Joel

All aspects of a winning argument are challenging and to include all of these specific pieces are even more difficult. “Few arguments you read have perfect sequenced claims or clear warrants” (Lunsford and Ruxakiewicz 150), so don’t be afraid of jumbling your articles during an argument. Make it a bold claim you can believe in, give sound warrants with sufficient backing and evidence, include a qualifier if necessary and prepare for rebuttals. Then you’ll be a master of the Toulmin system in no time. Artwork used from <https://www.billyjoel.com/galleries/> conclusion My wife & I sat here for this show at Fenway Park last year!

Stephen toulmin Born: March 25, 1922 in London Began teaching at Oxford University in 1949 Also taught at Columbia University, Michigan State University, Brandeis University, as well as the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Famously wrote The Uses of Argument in 1958 Became a U.S. Citizen in 1993 and joined the University of Southern California faculty Johnson, In Memoriam: Stephen E. Toulmin, 87

Works cited Toulmin, Stephen. The Uses of Argument. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1958 (2003 ed.). Web Lunsford, Andrea A., and Ruszkiewicz, John J. Everything’s an Argument. Boston: Bedford / St. Martin’s, 2013. Print. Will, Fredrick L. Rev. of The Uses of Argument, by Stephen Toulmin. The Philosophical Review Duke University Press, July 1960. Web. 12 Feb. 2017 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Rolling Stone. <http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-songwriters> Lynch, John. The 50 best-selling music artists of all time. Business Insider, 16 Sept. 2016. Web. 12 Feb. 2017 < http://www.businessinsider.com/best- selling-music-artists-of-all-time-2016-9/> Johnson, Pamela J. In Memoriam: Stephen E. Toulmin, 87. University of Southern California Dornsife, College of Letters, Arts, Sciences, 8 Dec. 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2017. <https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/651/in- memoriam-stephen-e-toulmin-87/>