Logic Lines and Toulmin Model Parts of an argument

Grounds “Because” or “Because of” Main evidence in a claim Statement made about a persons, conditions, events, or things that says support is available to provide a reason for a claim Ex: It is raining.

Your turn: Use the logic lines to evaluate the following: One reason education in this country is so bad is that the textbooks are crammed full of fluff like charts and graphs and pictures.

Warrant “Assumption” Expresses the assumption the speaker wants the audience to share. Is implied/indirect; is not stated in the argument. It will justify the using grounds as a basis for the claim. (links claim to evidence in case speaker and audience don’t share the same assumption) This is where we will get movement. Warrants lay the groundwork for justifying a claim with evidence and are what make the claim reasonable. Ex: An umbrella will keep me dry.

Backing “Evidence” Any support (specific instance, statistics, testimony, values, credibility, etc) that provides more specific data for the grounds or warrant Must have backing in order for assumption to have authority. Ex: The material is waterproof.

Qualifier Statement that indicates the force of an argument. Signal words: usually, maybe, in most cases, most likely, probably, certainly, possibly, somewhat Tempers claim, making it less absolute. Qualifiers usually precede the claim Ex: Probably

Reservations A qualification of the original claim that answers a rebuttal; is a statement of conditions under which the claim would not apply Explains the terms and conditions of the qualifying statement Often contains a rebuttal that gives voice to objections Ex: Unless it has a hole in it

Rebuttal Basis on which the claim will be questioned by a decision maker Forces more or less support or more or less qualifiers

Claim “Therefore” A single central statement that advances an argument for others to adopt. Asserts, proposes an argument’s main idea or position. Must be arguable. Ex: I should take my umbrella.

Full Expression Because it is raining, I should probably take my umbrella since it will keep me dry on account of its waterproof material; unless, of course, there’s a hole in it.