Teaching ToulminPhillip AlbonettiJackie Gantzer

Identify and Explain the components of a Toulmin essay

Examine the Toulmin Rubric and its structure

Analyze sample essays in accordance with the Toulmin Rubric

Identify resources to support teaching Toulmin in the classroom

Objectives

Components and Examples of Toulmin◦ Claim◦ Premise◦ Evidence◦ Warrant◦ Objection/Reply

The Rubric Example Essays Resources

Agenda

Claim

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: The main argument, or point of view, of an essay; what you are trying to “prove.”

◦ Claim of Fact Setting up recycling bins at school will reduce our carbon

footprint. Our school should add a computer technology class.

◦ Claim of Value Euthanasia is immoral. Capital punishment is barbaric.

Claim - Overview

As I read off the following phrases, hold a “thumbs up!” if it’s a Claim

And a “thumbs down!” if it’s a topic

Topic vs. Claim

Claim

Premise

Premise

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: A sub-point of the main argument; a reason to support the claim.◦ Claim: Our school should add a computer

technology class. Premise: Having a computer technology class would

prepare students for future employment. Premise: Many students are very skilled on

computers; having this class would help them explore their strengths and interests.

Premise: After learning more computer-based skills, students could help support any school IT issues.

Premise - Overview

Watch the following clip and identify:• Claim• 3 Premises

Coke vs. Pepsi

Identifying Claim and Premise

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Premise

Evidence

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: the “proof” for the premise/topic sentence. Much like a science classroom, evidence in an essay needs to be observable and/or measureable.

◦ Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class. Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare

students for future employment. Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate technology to some

degree. Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be a mechanic, they use

computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work. Evidence: Technology skills are useful in jobs that don’t use computers,

too.

Are these evidence statements observable? Measureable? CLAP hard if they are, do a weak clapper if they’re not.

Evidence - Overview

Evidence must also be reliable and/or reasonable.

◦If it’s a research paper, it must be cited or widely accepted as fact.

◦If it’s an on-demand essay, it should be provable and reasonable.

Potential Confusion

Ron Burgundy: “I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science.”

Champ Kind: “It is anchorman, not anchorlady! And that is a scientific fact!”

Brian Fantana: “They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.”

Chupacabra

Is the alleged animal on the video a Chupacabra?

◦ What evidence do you have to prove your claim?

Evidence - Fact or Fake?

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: the connection between the evidence and the premise or overall claim. It serves to further explain rationale for a premise.

Answers the questions: What does this demonstrate? What does this prove? Why is this important? What does this mean?◦ Claim: Our school should add a computer technology

class. Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare

students for future employment. Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate technology to

some degree. Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be a mechanic,

they use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work. Warrant: This shows that even jobs that are considered more “manual

labor” are utilizing technology these days.

Warrant - Overview

Sometimes students will put their warrant before the evidence.

Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare students for future employment. Warrant: Many jobs today, including those

considered to be manual labor, use technology in some capacity. Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate

technology to some degree. Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be

a mechanic, they use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work.

Potential Confusion

As I read each statement, determine whether it would be considered an EVIDENCE statement or a WARRANT statement by pointing towards the East or the West.

Evidence vs. Warrant

Turn to a partner and begin reviewing the 4 Toulmin components we’ve covered so far. Explain what each component is and what it accomplishes in the essay.

When you’re finished, “tag team” your partner, and they will go through them as well.

REVIEW

ClaimPremiseEvidenceWarrant

Recycling

Identify examples of the following from this clip◦ Claim◦ Premise◦ Evidence◦ Warrant

Parsing out an Argument

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: potential counter-arguments to a claim Providing an objection shows that the student has

a thorough understanding of the argument, has thought through several points of view, and has thus, determined the best option.

◦Examples Many people believe that recycling is too expensive and

time-consuming. Others have expressed that students should be able to use

physical violence as a means of defending themselves. Some students say that including another foreign

language class is more important than a computer technology class.

Objection - Overview

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

Hierarchy of a Toulmin Essay

Definition: response to an objection Should include evidence and warrants, just

like the other paragraphs.Examples

Reply - Overview

• Many people believe that recycling is too expensive and time-consuming.

• Others have expressed that students should be able to use physical violence as a means of defending themselves.

• Some students say that including another foreign language class is more important than a computer technology class.

• In the long run, not recycling will actually cost tax payers more money.

• If students respond to violence with violence, it will become a cycle in which everyone gets hurt.

• Computer technology classes are more applicable to our future than foreign language classes.

The RUBRIC (Page 9)Essay Paragraphs/ Sections

Essay Section Components

Essay Section Component Elements

Scores

Take a few minutes and look through the rubric. What other sections and components will students be scored on that we haven’t talked about?

Are there any parts that seem confusing to you, or that you will need more explanation about?

EXPLORE!

Page 11 in your ELA binders

Offers definitions, explanations, examples, and a guide to scoring essays using the rubric.

Toulmin Rubric Reference Guide

Exemplars

◦ 8th Grade Tindley Exemplar, “Referral Beat Down” Page 60In groups, identify the following from this essay:Paragraph 1: ClaimParagraphs 2-4: Premise, Evidence, Warrant

◦ HS Tindley Exemplar, “Fun Time for Homecoming” Page 65Individually, identify the following from this essay:Paragraph 1: ClaimParagraphs 2-3: Premise, Evidence, WarrantParagraph 4: Objection, Reply

Practicing the Basics