1. Flipped Lesson: An Introduction to Argumentation
AP Language and Composition
Flipped Lesson: An Introduction to Argumentation

2. Topics to be Covered
Defining what exactly argumentation is. Toulmin’s Analysis of Rhetoric Practice and models of the above

3. Everything is an Argument

4. Everything is an Argument

5. Toulmin’s Analysis Basic Parts of an Argument
Women should buy our slimming jeans!
You should buy our tooth-whitening product!
9 out of 10 women feel more confident and look slimmer!
Studies show that teeth are 50% whiter after using our product!
The main idea of the author -- (thesis)
The use of evidence to support the claim.
Claim
Data
Warrant
The relevance of the idea.
People want to feel secure and slim.
People want whiter teeth…duh!

6. How do you know what a warrant is, especially if it’s not stated?
Questions to Consider
How do you accurately support a claim?
What exactly qualifies as data?
Claim
Data
Warrant
How do you know what a warrant is, especially if it’s not stated?

7. Evaluating the Argument
What is the writer’s message?
What is he/she trying to convey?
Consider the claim’s purpose.
The claim is, in essence, the thesis of a writer’s body of work.
That thesis then has to be supported if there is to be any form of success.
Assessing a Claim
Claim
Claim

8. Evaluating the Argument
Assessing Data
What is the writer’s support?
What reasons are given?
What evidence is presented?
Consider the authenticity of data.
Is it legit, or is it a bunch of bologna?
Examples: statistics, surveys, research, expert testimony, first hand experience, general consensus.
In order for a claim to have weight, the data must be reliable, supportive, and work in favor.
Data

9. Evaluating the Argument
What is being assumed here?
What is it about the audience and/or the situation that makes this possible?
The warrant is the link between the claim and the data.
The weakest part of any argument is the weakness of any warrant.
Warrant (or assumptions) make or break an argument.
Assessing a Warrant
Warrant

10. Refuting Arguments
A lot of what you see and read today is accepted without question.
TV ads, conversations, teacher lectures, newspaper articles, etc.
Using Toulmin’s model, you can accomplish two things:
Identify the basic elements of an argument being made.
Test and critique your own arguments.
Which will be a huge factor when writing argumentative papers.
There are three more elements to Toulmin’s model to discuss…

11. Read each claim below and develop data and warrants for each.
Apply: Practice
Read each claim below and develop data and warrants for each.
Many reasons exist for public schools to implement uniforms.
People should conserve energy and recycle to fight global warming.
PAUSE TO COMPLETE

12. CLAIM DATA WARRANT UNIFORMS
Reasons exist for public schools should implement uniforms.
Bullying
Hygiene
Cost efficiency
Self esteem
School climate
Preparation for “life”
Issues within school
Inappropriate dress
Stereotypes
GLOBAL WARMING
People should conserve energy and recycle to fight global warming.
Rising temperatures
Severe weather
Depleting resources
Landfill usage
Pollution
Politics and science
Economic impact
Responsibility

13. The need (if arisen) to support, or back, a warrant or assumption.
Toulmin’s Model
A statement about how strong the claim is; providing a scenario/evidence
Qualifier
Rebuttal
An exception(s) to a claim.
Claim
Data
Warrant
The need (if arisen) to support, or back, a warrant or assumption.
Backing

14. Toulmin’s Model -- Example
“You should buy our teeth-whitening product because it removes 50% of surface stains after just one use!”
Qualifier: If a company claims that stains on teeth are caused by drinking coffee, a qualified claim may state that “the most significant cause of stained teeth is coffee.” It may not be the only cause, but it helps qualify a statement to be more accurate and therefore helps to appeal to the audience more to accomplish the goal.
Rebuttal: There is almost always an exception. For this, there may be coffee that doesn’t stain teeth. Therefore, the rebuttal (or exception) would be the following: “Coffee is the major cause of stained teeth but other staining from lack of proper brushing, smoking, or bacteria can occur.”

15. Toulmin’s Model -- Example
“You should buy our teeth-whitening product because it removes 50% of surface stains after just one use!”
Backing: Sometimes the warrant is unimportant; other times it not broadly understood or accepted. In this case, a speaker/writer may have to defend a warrant. For this example, a company could back the warrant by saying whiter teeth will give you more dates or help you look better in yearbook photos.

16. Key Points Everything around you contains an argument.
TOULMIN. Know the parts. Know their importance.
Practice through awareness.