1. The Toulmin Approach to Argument
Another Piece of the Argument Puzzle

2. Access Prior KNowledge
Research the following three terms. On a clean sheet of paper, write out what you find. This can be a bulleted list!
Claim
Data
Warrant

3. Elements of an Argument
According to Stephen Toulmin, arguments are composed of three main elements:
Claims
Data/Evidence
Warrants

4. Stephen E. Toulmin He was born in England in 1922.
He was a philosopher and
rhetorical theorist.
He taught at USC from
In 1958, he offered his
model of argumentation:
a way to compare “truths.”

5. What is claim, data, warrant?
Claim, data, warrant (CDW) is a formal and logical writing style.
CDW helps you PROVE your thoughts in a logical way using evidence.
It also can be used for answering open response questions, discussion questions, or writing paragraphs & essays.
You can use it in any class.
It is what you already know how to do with writing:
Claim – a thesis about a topic
Data – the support (evidence) about a topic
Warrant – a general, unspoken rule that most people would agree upon

6. Toulmin’s Model
When a prompt asks you to support, refute, or qualify a statement, use this method.

7. Claim
This is the main point of the argument. What you are trying to prove.
Example:
The school lunch program contributes to childhood obesity.

8. Data/Evidence
Includes facts, statistics, authorities, SOLID opinion, and examples all usually from source material depending on the claim.
Example:
On October 5, Mesa Public Schools served two options for lunch: pizza and burritos. The pizza contained 21 grams of fat, and the burrito contained 15 grams of fat. A healthy meal should contain no more than 7 grams of fat (Donovan 3).

9. Warrant
An assumption/rule which shows the connection between the claim and the evidence.
Example:
Feeding students lunches with high fat contents will cause students to acquire extra pounds.
NOTE: The warrant must be widely accepted or believed to be true by the majority of the public.

10. Warrant: Fatty lunches cause obesity.
Connection
Sometimes it helps to create a diagram of the claim, data, and warrant that looks like the example below.
Claim Data
Lunch program is bad Pizza/burritos have high fat content
Warrant: Fatty lunches cause obesity.

11. Let’s try this out!
On the same sheet of paper as your notes, write the name of your favorite movie and 3 reasons (claims) why you like it.
Example:
The Little Mermaid
1. It’s a sweet love story.
2. It’s appropriate for people of all ages.
3. The music is memorable.

12. Next, add in the data (evidence)
1. It’s a sweet love story.
Prince Eric is handsome, wealthy, and kind; Ariel is curious, kind, and outgoing. It’s nice that two people who enjoy life so much have found each other.
2. It’s appropriate for people of all ages.
The love story is G-rated, making it appropriate for younger children. Adults can enjoy the innocent love story as well as the catchy music.
3. The music is memorable.
Nearly everyone can sing at least some part of “Under the Sea”.

13. Now, add in the warrant (Connection)
1. It’s a sweet love story.
Prince Eric is handsome, wealthy, and kind; Ariel is curious, kind, and outgoing. It’s nice that two people who enjoy life so much have found each other.
Warrant:
2. It’s appropriate for people of all ages.
The love story is G-rated, making it appropriate for younger children. Adults can enjoy the innocent love story as well as the catchy music.
3. The music is memorable.
Nearly everyone can sing at least some part of “Under the Sea”.