1. Logic Lines and Toulmin Model
Parts of an argument

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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.

10. 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.