1. The toulmin method argumentof
A Visual Explanation
By Frank Clarke

2. 6 The toulmin method: CLAIM GROUNDS WARRANT BACKING REBUTTAL QUALIFIER
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method: 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

3. AKA Argument, Assertion
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 1: The Claim
AKA Argument, Assertion
This is just what it sounds like. It is the assertion being made by the speaker.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher

4. 6 The toulmin method Step 2: The Grounds
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 2: The Grounds
AKA Evidence, Data
Without some kind of grounds, the claim is unfounded.
It is just an unsubstantiated opinion without the support of evidence.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today.
several of his students were sleeping today.
CLAIM

5. 6 The toulmin method Step 2: The Grounds
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 2: The Grounds
AKA Evidence, Data
Without some kind of grounds, the claim is unfounded.
It is just an unsubstantiated opinion without the support of evidence.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today.
This always has a because in it. Sometimes it is explicitly stated. Sometimes it’s implied.
CLAIM

6. 6 The toulmin method Step 2: The Grounds
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 2: The Grounds
AKA Evidence, Data
Without some kind of grounds, the claim is unfounded.
It is just an unsubstantiated opinion without the support of evidence.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; I say this because several of his students were sleeping today when I passed his classroom.
This always has a because in it. Sometimes it is explicitly stated. Sometimes it’s implied.
CLAIM

7. 6 The toulmin method Step 2: The Grounds
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 2: The Grounds
AKA Evidence, Data
Without some kind of grounds, the claim is unfounded.
It is just an unsubstantiated opinion without the support of evidence.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today.
This always has a because in it. Sometimes it is explicitly stated. Sometimes it’s implied.
When analyzing an argument’s effectiveness, the first step is looking at the evidence presented. Is it viable? Does it provide enough verifiable data to support the claim?
CLAIM

8. This is what the speaker assumes the audience will agree with him on.
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 3: The Warrant
AKA Assumption
This is what the speaker assumes the audience will agree with him on.
In this case, the speaker assumes that his audience will agree with that a teacher who puts students to sleep is a bad teacher. A second warrant in this argument may be that only a bad teacher would allow his students to sleep in class.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work.
CLAIM
GROUNDS

9. 6 The toulmin method Step 3: The Warrant
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 3: The Warrant
AKA Assumption
This is what the speaker assumes the audience will agree with him on.
In this case, the speaker assumes that his audience will agree with that a teacher who puts students to sleep is a bad teacher. A second warrant in this argument may be that only a bad teacher would allow his students to sleep in class.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work.
But is that a safe assumption on the part of the speaker?
Are there potentially mitigating circumstances that would render his assumption false?
The warrant is usually where an argument succeeds or fails, because the audience either agrees with the speaker’s reasoning or doesn’t.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT

10. 6 The toulmin method Grounds Claim Warrant
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
By now, you should see that the Toulmin Method is
a set of supports, a set of metaphorical building blocks.
Claim
Grounds
Warrant
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT

11. 6 The toulmin method Step 4: The Backing
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 4: The Backing
The backing is a widely-held truth or belief. That means it doesn’t have to be true. It just has to be agreed-upon by most of the speaker’s audience. Christopher Columbus had difficulty obtaining financial backing because his argument’s backing was laughable.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it.
Taken out of context, any reasonable person would agree with that last sentence. And that is what a backing is: a statement that everyone agrees on.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT

12. 6 The toulmin method Step 4: The Backing
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 4: The Backing
The backing is a widely-held truth or belief. That doesn’t mean it has to be true. It just has to be agreed-upon by most of the speaker’s audience. Christopher Columbus had difficulty obtaining financial backing because his argument’s backing was laughable.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it.
Taken out of context, any reasonable person would agree with that last sentence. And that is what a backing is: a statement that everyone agrees on.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING

13. 6 The toulmin method Grounds Claim Warrant Backing Inductive Reasoning
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Inductive Reasoning
The Toulmin Method employs inductive reasoning. From the grounds to the warrant to the backing, it moves from the specific to the general. Did you notice?
Claim
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher
Several of his students were sleeping today
Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work.
Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it.
Grounds
Warrant
Backing

14. (Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific.)
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Inductive Reasoning
Level 1: Very specific
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher;
several of his students were sleeping today.
Level 2: More General
Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work.
Level 3: Wide-ranging
Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it.
In an effective application of the Toulmin Method, the Warrant cannot refer back specifically to the subject of the Claim & Grounds.
The Backing must become still more general, usually employing a universal or national sense of focus.
(Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific.)

15. 6 The toulmin method Step 5: The Rebuttal
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 5: The Rebuttal
The rebuttal is simple. This is where the speaker anticipates possible criticism of his argument and refutes it. In fact, Aristotle called this the Refutatio.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it. You can say he’s senile, but that’s no excuse.
Having one or more rebuttals can make an argument more effective by effectively ‘cutting off the legs’ of the opposing argument before it is implemented.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING

16. 6 The toulmin method Step 5: The Rebuttal
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 5: The Rebuttal
The rebuttal is simple. This is where the speaker anticipates possible criticism of his argument and refutes it. In fact, Aristotle called this the Refutatio.
Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it. You can say he’s senile, but that’s no excuse.
Having one or more rebuttals can make an argument more effective by effectively ‘cutting off the legs’ of the opposing argument before it is implemented.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL

17. 6 The toulmin method Step 6: The Qualifier
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 6: The Qualifier
The rebuttal makes an argument less absolute. Words like “probably”, and “most” are qualifiers. On first glance, one might think this would reduce the effectiveness of an argument. In fact, the opposite is often true.
I think Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should probably find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it. You can say he’s senile, but that’s no excuse.
Politicians use qualifiers to great effect. It allows them to deny having even made the argument, if the tide of opinion shifts.
Note: Not all arguments – not even all effective arguments – have a qualifier.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL

18. 6 The toulmin method Step 6: The Qualifier
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Step 6: The Qualifier
The rebuttal makes an argument less absolute. Words like “probably”, and “most” are qualifiers. On first glance, one might think this would reduce the effectiveness of an argument. In fact, the opposite is often true.
I think Professor Peppenfeffer is a bad teacher; several of his students were sleeping today. Any teacher who puts students to sleep should probably find another line of work. Anyone who won’t do their job deserves to lose it. You can say he’s senile, but that’s no excuse.
Politicians use qualifiers to great effect. It allows them to deny having even made the argument, if the tide of opinion shifts.
Note: Not all arguments – not even all effective arguments – have a qualifier.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL

19. Can you apply the Toulmin Method to them?
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Here are five example arguments.
Can you apply the Toulmin Method to them?
The Baltimore Parakeets are the best team in football. They scored the most points in the league last year by far.
The Dallas Cowgirls are the best team in football. They won the Super Bowl last year.
Tiger Woods is the greatest athlete of all time. He has earned more money then anyone.
Breyers ice cream is the best, because they use all natural ingredients.
Sherlock is the best show on television. Its stars are classically trained British actors.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

20. 6 The toulmin method STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 1
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 1
Claim: The Baltimore Parakeets are the best team in football.
Grounds: They scored the most points in the league last year by far.
Warrant: The football team that scores the most points is the best team.
Backing: Whoever scores the most is the best.
Rebuttal: They didn’t win the championship.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

21. 6 The toulmin method STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 2
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 2
Claim: The Dallas Cowgirls are the best team in football.
Grounds: They won the Super Bowl.
Warrant: The NFL team that wins the Super Bowl is the best team.
Backing: The winner of a championship is the best participant.
Rebuttal: They had an easy schedule.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

22. 6 The toulmin method STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 3
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 3
Claim: Tiger Woods is the greatest athlete of all time.
Grounds: He has earned more money then anyone.
Warrant: The athlete that earns the most money is the best.
Backing: Money represents success.
Rebuttal: Players from earlier eras didn’t have the opportunities that Woods Has had.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

23. 6 The toulmin method STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 4
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 4
Claim: Breyers ice cream is the best, because
Grounds: they use all natural ingredients.
Warrant: Natural ingredients make ice cream taste better
Backing: Foods with preservatives and artificial flavorings don’t taste as good (inversion)
Rebuttal: Other ice creams last longer in the freezer.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

24. 6 The toulmin method STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 5
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT 5
Claim: Sherlock is probably the best show on television.
Grounds: Its stars are classically trained British actors.
Warrant: Classically trained British actors make a show better.
Backing: People who are classically trained in their craft are more likely to create a viable product.
Rebuttal: The storylines are convoluted.
Qualifier: “probably”
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

25. Is it valid, according to toulmin?
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Here’s one you might be familiar with…
Is it valid, according to toulmin?
Take out the trash. Why? Because I said to, that’s why!
Take a few minutes and apply the Toulmin Method to it.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

26. Can you apply the Toulmin Method to them?
CLARKE’S EXPLANATION OF
The toulmin method 6
STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT
Can you apply the Toulmin Method to them?
Claim: You should take out the trash.
Grounds: Because I told you to.
Warrant: I provide you with a clean home, food, schooling and meet all your needs. I have done so for your entire life. Small chores are hardly a dent in the debt you owe me.
Backing: People should repay their debts.
Rebuttal: But I’m an angry teenager. I have angst!
It’s valid.
CLAIM
GROUNDS
WARRANT
BACKING
REBUTTAL
QUALIFIER

27. The toulmin method argument
The End
The toulmin method argument of
A Visual Explanation
By Frank Clarke