How to make an Argument Toulmin Model

Model Claim Evidence Warrant Impact

Model Claim Girls are smarter than boys Evidence Girls score higher on SAT Warrant SAT is a standardized Test, it demonstrates intelligence Impact We need to hire more Girls as Doctors Lawyer Politicians

Write your own Argument Claim: Dogs make better pets than cats Evidence: Warrant: Impact

Types of Claims Claim of Fact: Its Raining Claim of Value: Allison ought to do her homework rather than going to the football game Claim of Policy: Austin High should ban flip-flops at school

Write your own claims Claim of fact Claim of Value Claim of Policy

12 Common Logical Fallacies Hasty Generalization: Sweeping statement made based off a few examples or experiences. Too few instances are cited to support the conclusion. “The United States does not support Cuba; therefore, we do not provide support to undemocratic nations.”   Exceptions to the Rule: Using the exception, rather than the majority to prove a point. “My dad is a Republican and he is pro-choice; therefore, Republicans are pro-choice.” Fallacy of Division: What is true for the whole is true for all individuals that share that trait. “Anorexics are thin. Jane is thin, so she must be anorexic.” “Dogs have four legs. My cat has four legs. My cat must be a dog.”

12 Common Logical Fallacies False analogy: Apples vs. oranges. A comparison of things too dissimilar for a valid conclusion to be drawn. “Just as tobacco companies should share blame for lung cancer, fast food restaurants should share blame for obesity. Therefore, lawsuits against McDonald’s are as justified as the tobacco lawsuits of recent years.”   Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: Mistaking a relationship of association or correlation for a relationship of causation. “Every time I wash my car, it rains; therefore, washing cars causes rain.” The phrase literally means, “after this, therefore because of this.” Straw Man: To build up an invented image so that you can attribute it with whatever characteristics you wish, making this image easy to knock down. To stereotype a group identity and discredit somebody’s ideas based on this group identity. “Environmentalists are all just tree huggers.” “Radical feminists.” “Religious Right.”

12 Common Logical Fallacies Argumentum Ad Hominum: Attacking somebody for a personal flaw rather than addressing the issues being discussed. “We shouldn’t pay attention to Dr. Smith’s economic forecasts because he has a drinking problem.”   Red Herring: Information is introduced whose sole purpose is to distract from the issue at hand. Argumentum Ad Populum: Asserting that what is popular is desirable or correct. “The majority of people buy Crest toothpaste; therefore, Crest is the best brand to buy for your teeth.”

12 Common Logical Fallacies Appeal to Tradition: Stating that something is desirable simply because it has always been that way. “Underclassmen shouldn’t be able to go off campus for lunch because they never have been allowed to before.” Bifurcating the Issue: Drawing only two sides to a complex issue with many facets. To argue an either/or position when there are other options. “People who don’t say the pledge are against this country. You either support your government or you don’t.”   Slippery Slope: If one action is taken, then it will snowball into a massive problem. This is an assumption that a current situation is evidence of a continuing trend. “If marijuana is legalized, then soon all drugs will be legal, and soon everyone will be a heroine addict.”