Toulmin's Model

Toulmin's Model of Argumentation

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• Caption: BLUE: Triad #1, RED: Triad #2

Toulmin Overview

• Triad #1
• Data: facts and evidence, aka grounds or datums -- can never be implied
• Claim: thesis, the statement being argued
• Warrant: logic to legitimize the claim- link from data to claim -- can be implied
• Triad #2
• Qualifier: statements that limit the strength of an argument OR propose a condition under which the argument is true
• Rebuttal: counter-arguments indicating circumstances when the general argument doesn't hold true (aka reservation)
• Backing: serves to support the warrant but doesn't prove the main point -- different from data, although it can be data
• Syllogism: If _____(data)_____, then _____(warrant)_____, therefore _____(claim)______.

Types of Claims

• Fact-Based Claim
• -focus on empirically veritable phenomena such as direct observation, experiments, data, etc.
• -ex: there are more billionaires in NY than in the rest of the U.S.
• Judgement or Value Claim
• -opinions, attitudes, or subjective evaluations
• -usually based on or uses definitions
• -ex: Mozart was the best composer of all time (and defines "best")
• Policy-Based Claim
• -advocating a specific course of action to be taken
• -ex: the U.S. should quit producing pennies