Rhetorical Vocab. Toulmin Model of Argumentation Choice Reading AGENDA “Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.” ~Mark Twain Rhetorical Vocab. Toulmin Model of Argumentation Choice Reading October 25

Stephen Toulmin (1922-2009) British author, philosopher, educator Devoted his works to analysis of moral reasoning and practical arguments (effective in evaluating ethics behind moral issues) Works are also useful in analyzing rhetorical arguments Pursued practical argumentation Source: wikipedia

Toulmin believed that… Practical arguments should focus on the justificatory function as opposed to the inferential function of theoretical arguments Theoretical arguments= make inferences on principles to arrive at claim (NOT his belief…) Practical arguments= first find a claim of interest and then provide justification Reasoning should not be an activity of inference but more a process of testing and sifting through already existing ideas Source: wikipedia

Toulmin’s structure Claim: the arguments you wish to prove Qualifiers: any limits you place on your claim Fact/ evidence: support for your claim Warrants: underlying assumptions that support your claim Backing: evidence for warrant Rebuttal: “nodding your head” to the opposition

So Claim Reasons/Evidence “The mushroom is poisonous.” “So don’t eat it!” Since Warrant “Since eating poisonous things is dangerous.”

The optional pieces… Backing: Support for claim, done after argument is outlined Qualifier: acknowledges limitations Few, it is possible, more or less, in some cases, many, typically, some, rarely, routinely, often Rebuttal: potential objections “unless”

So Claim Reasons/Evidence “Your LSAT scores are 98th percentile” “So it is likely that you will get into Law school.” Since Warrant (qualifier) “Since high LSAT scores are an important factor in law school admissions.”

Toulmin Mode of Argumentation Can also use NEW Language and Composition and 6th edition of Discovering Arguments

Example… Fact/Evidence Conclusion/Claim qualifier Because it is raining outside, I need to get my umbrella since it will keep me dry because it is made of waterproof material, unless it has a hole in it then it will be ineffective. Warrant Backing Rebuttal

Jane is a medical student; therefore, she is probably smart since all medical students are smart because you have to take exams to be admitted to medical school unless she was admitted because her mother is a dean. Data, Warrant, Qualifier, Rebuttal, Claim

Exercises “Because _____ is _________, he/she is _____________ since____________________________________________________ unless______________________.

Toulmin starters…. Because the gas light came on in my car… Because my friend never returned my text…. Because my brother/sister/etc. is so _________, Because I am a senior/junior…. YOUR TURN!

Homework Write TWO Toulmin claims in your CN to share in class tomorrow

Toulmin Model of Argumentation: Required Elements Claim (Conclusion) A conclusion whose merit must be established. In argumentative essays, it may be called the thesis. For example, if a person tries to convince a listener that he is a British citizen, the claim would be "I am a British citizen." (1) Ground (Fact, Evidence, Data) A fact one appeals to as a foundation for the claim. For example, the person introduced in 1 can support his claim with the supporting data "I was born in Bermuda." (2) Warrant A statement authorizing movement from the ground to the claim. In order to move from the ground established in 2, "I was born in Bermuda," to the claim in 1, "I am a British citizen," the person must supply a warrant to bridge the gap between 1 and 2 with the statement "A man born in Bermuda will legally be a British citizen." (3) Toulmin believed that for a good argument to succeed, it needs to provide good justification for a claim. This, he believed, will ensure it stands up to criticism and earns a favourable verdict. In The Uses of Argument (1958), Toulmin proposed a layout containing six interrelated components for analyzing arguments:

Toulmin Model of Argumentation: “optional elements” Backing Credentials designed to certify the statement expressed in the warrant; backing must be introduced when the warrant itself is not convincing enough to the readers or the listeners. For example, if the listener does not deem the warrant in 3 as credible, the speaker will supply the legal provisions as backing statement to show that it is true that "A man born in Bermuda will legally be a British citizen." Rebuttal Statements recognizing the restrictions which may legitimately be applied to the claim. The rebuttal is exemplified as follows: "A man born in Bermuda will legally be a British citizen, unless he has betrayed Britain and has become a spy of another country." Qualifier Words or phrases expressing the speaker's degree of force or certainty concerning the claim. Such words or phrases include "probably," "possible," "impossible," "certainly," "presumably," "as far as the evidence goes," and "necessarily." The claim "I am definitely a British citizen" has a greater degree of force than the claim "I am a British citizen, presumably."