Teaching with the Toulmin ModelTindley Teacher Institute

2014

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In what ways do students struggle with argumentative thinking, planning, and writing?

Objectives

0TWBAT identify and explain the components of a Toulmin essay

0TWBAT create exemplar models in the Toulmin style

0TWBAT score sample essays in accordance with the Toulmin Rubric

What is Toulmin?

0Toulmin Model: a method of developing, organizing, and supporting an argument 0 Developed by Stephen Toulmin, a British logician

and philosopher 0Primary Vocabulary for the Toulmin Model

0 Claim (& Clarification)0 Premise0 Evidence0 Warrant0 Objection & Reply

Structure of the Toulmin Model

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

The Claim

0Definition: The position or claim being argued for; the conclusion of the argument (comparable to a thesis statement).

0Three Basic Types of Claims: 0Fact*: Claims that argue about a definition or

whether something is a settled fact0Judgment/Value: Claims involving opinions,

attitudes, and subjective evaluations of things0Policy: Claims advocating courses of action that

should be undertaken

Sample Claims

Fact*: The death penalty as used in the United States has not been an effective deterrent of crime.

Judgment/Value: The use of civil disobedience during the Civil Rights struggle was an effective and necessary means of swaying public opinion.

Position: The private ownership of automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the United States should be banned.

Claim vs. Topic

Rate the following claims on a scale of 3, 2, or 1 (3 being an exemplar).1) Bullying happens in schools.2) School uniforms improve student learning.3) Our city should build a children’s museum on

the east side to raise interest in science and art.4) The effects of UVB on skin have been

researched extensively.

The Clarification

• Definition: A more specific explanation of the claim that could do the following:– Includes a transition (To clarify, In other words, More

specifically)– Explains the shady terms in the claim – Provides a reason(s) for the legitimacy of the claim

Example: Claim: In order to eliminate excessive waste at Tindley, we should organize an “Eco-Friendly Council.” Clarification: By council, I mean a group of scholars who would promote eco-friendliness in the school through class challenges and recycling initiatives.

Creating Examples with an Exemplar

1. Sit with your co-planner or grade level team. 2. Pull up your first Summative Essay Prompt. 3. On the handout, create sample claims and clarifications

appropriate to each score in the Toulmin rubric.

Example: 9th Grade Unit 1 Summative Essay PromptPick one of the Puritan values. Argue whether that belief still exists in some form in our society today, and whether you think it’s appropriate for our times. Your evidence should come from our Puritan texts and your own knowledge of laws/practices in our schools, churches, businesses, etc. today.

Structure of the Toulmin Model

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

The Premise

0 Definition: sub-point of the main argument; a reason to support the claim (comparable to a topic sentence)

0 Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.0 Premise 1: Having a computer technology class would

prepare students for future employment.0 Premise 2: Many students are very skilled on computers;

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

0 [*More premises may be necessary depending on the depth of the claim and the nature of the assignment.]

Identifying the Claim and Premises

In the following clip, character Phil Dunphy from Modern Family (humorously) makes a claim and supports it with a series of premises. Watch the following clip and identify:

0The Claim03 Premises

Modern Family’s Phil Dunphy: Cool Dad

Creating Examples with an Exemplar

0On the handout, create sample premises appropriate to each score in the Toulmin Rubric.

Structure of the Toulmin Model

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

The Evidence

0 Definition: the “proof” for the premise (must be observable and/or measurable).

* Each premise requires its own evidence.

0Evidence must also be reliable and/or reasonable.0 In a research paper, it must be cited or widely

accepted as fact (as in a researched class assignment).

0 In an on-demand essay, it should be provable and reasonable (as in an Interim Essay).

The Evidence

0Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.0Premise: Having a computer technology class

would prepare students for future employment.0Evidence: Approximately 75% of jobs today

incorporate technology to some degree (Smith 50). 0Evidence: For example, if a student wants to be a

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

Structure of the Toulmin Model

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

The Warrant

0 Definition: The connection between the evidence and the premise or overall claim (comparable to an explanation of the evidence’s purpose in supporting the premise and/or claim).

0 Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.0 Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare

students for future employment.0Evidence: For example, if a student wants to be a mechanic,

they will use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work.0Warrant: This shows that even jobs that are considered

more “manual labor” are utilizing technology these days.

Creating Examples with an Exemplar

0Create sample evidence statement appropriate to each score in the Toulmin Rubric.

0Create sample warrants appropriate to each score in the Toulmin Rubric.

Organizing the Body Paragraph

Example A:

0 Premise0 Evidence 10 Warrant 10 Evidence 20 Warrant 20 (Concluding Stmt.)

Example B:

0 Premise0 Evidence 10 Evidence 20 Warrant 10 Warrant 20 (Concluding Stmt.)

* These are just two possibilities of many, and as students achieve higher levels of mastery, they should be able to further manipulate the components to meet the needs of their argument.

Structure of the Toulmin Model

Claim

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Premise

Evidence

Warrant

Objection

Reply

The Objection/Reply Paragraph

0 Objection Definition: Potential counter-arguments to a claim (should include evidence and warrants, just like any other body paragraphs)

• Many people believe that recycling is too expensive and time-consuming. (follow w/ evidence/warrant)

• Others have expressed that students should be able to use physical violence as a means of defending themselves. (follow w/ evidence/warrant)

0 Reply Definition: Response to an objection (should include evidence and warrants, just like the other body paragraphs)

• In the long run, not recycling will actually cost tax payers more money. (follow w/ evidence/warrant)

• If students respond to violence with violence, a cycle will develop in which everyone gets hurt. (follow w/ evidence/warrant)

A word of warning…

0 Toulmin is a model, but it is not a “plug-it-in” formula.

0 Poor Sample: 0 (Premise>) First, our school should have vending machines because

it will make students feel better. (Evidence>) Many students say they like having snack alternatives to cafeteria food. (Warrant>) This shows that students will feel better if they have vending machines. (Evidence>) Also, most students get hungry later in the day. (Warrant>) Having something to snack on later will make them happier.

0 With a new partner, brainstorm how you will reteach this student to properly use the premise, evidence, and warrant.

The RubricEssay Paragraphs/ Sections

Essay Section Components

Essay Section Component Elements

Scores

Essay Samples

0 In small groups, use the full Toulmin Rubric to score a sample Interim.

06th Grade07th Grade09th Grade010th Grade

Reflection

0What obstacles do you anticipate occurring while teaching the Toulmin model to your scholars?

0How can you combat those obstacles?