Constructing Toulmin Arguments

Constructing Toulmin Arguments

Expanded model

I Claim – the main point of the essay

A debatable statement that the rest of the essay will support

D Reason – a statement that supports the claim

– Often the reason appears in the same sentence with the claim

connected to it by the word because

o Warrant – the inference that connects the claim to the

grounds

– Often an unstated assumption

– Ideally, an idea with which the audience agrees

I Backing – statements that support the warrant

RESPOND questions on p. 144 (please note this question has been modified so that you are able to work independently Claims aren’t always easy to find. [. . .] Collect a sample of four argumentative postings from political blogs or editorial postings (from news sites). Read each item, and then identify every claim that the writer makes. When you’ve compiled your list of claims, look carefully at the words that the writer or writers use when stating their positions. Is there a common vocabulary? Can you find words or phrases that signal an impending claim? Which of these seem most effective? Which ones seem least effective? Why?

Respond to two of your classmates’ postings by making a further claim. Do not duplicate each others’ argumentative postings from political blogs or editorial postings (from news sites). Assignments that are duplicated will receive a lower grade.