Argumentation
THE TOULMIN SCHEME FOR ARGUMENTATION
Unlike the classical system of argumentation, which often is taught indirectly in secondary education institutions, the Toulmin Scheme offers a more complex set of guidelines to ensure that you foresee and fix all gaps in your argument. While the classical system proceeds from introduction to lines of argument, consideration of opposing arguments, and conclusion, dividing the paper roughly into 3 or 4 standard parts, the Toulmin System looks to warrants, grounds, backing, qualification, and rebuttal as its organizing principles.
Constructing an Argument
1. Present your claim (your thesis).
2. Qualify your claim if necessary ("unless," "except," "excluding," etc.)
3. Present a series of good reasons to support your claim.
4. Explain any underlying assumptions that support your reasons. (backing)
5. Provide further evidence to support your claim (facts, statistics, testimony, and so on)
6. Acknowledge and respond to possible counterarguments. (rebuttal)
7. Draw your conclusion.
Analyzing an Argument
1. What is the claim or thesis?
2. How is the claim qualified?
3. What good reasons support the claim?
4. What underlying assumptions support these reasons?
5. What evidence adds support to the claim? What facts, statistics, literary passages, quotes, images, etc.? What assumptions support the connection of the evidence to the claim?
6. How are counterarguments acknowledged and responded to?