Toulmin’s Approach to Argument

By Icxc Medina

The Six Parts That Make Up an Argument

Stephen Toulmin, is a modern day leader and divided arguments into six components:

1. Claims2. Grounds3. Warrants 4. Backing 5. Reservation (Rebuttals)6. Qualifier

CLAIMS:- Central idea & main point. - The statement might be

directly stated or implied.

- Statement that you are asking the person to accept or deny.

- You may often ask yourself, “ What is this person trying to prove?”

- Example: Exercising is

good for your health.

GROUNDS: Reasons to support the Claim

The ground is where the claim is based. Consists of proof, evidence, or data. Should be supported by hard facts and

true reasoning to why you stand strong to your claim .

“What/ Why are they trying to prove to

you?”

Example: Exercising is good BECAUSE… It combats health diseases and conditions,

improves mood, boosts energy, keeps your heart pumping, strengthen your muscles, and basically IMPROVES your life Quality .

WARRANT:

- Logic that underlies the argument

- Usually begin with all, every, any, anytime, whenever, either, if, or statements.

- Warrants link the claim and the

grounds together. - You may ask yourself” Where is

this person coming from?” Why does the data mean the claim is true?”

- Example: Every person that exercise can be expected to live long & healthy lives

BACKING: The support to an argument Gives extra support to the warrant and ground

by answering questions .

There must be a strong base statement to hold true to the claim.

Example: If you exercise you have better way of life and it

also helps reduce the probability of getting diseases and sicknesses.

LA times states “ 7 Out of 10” Americans who don’t exercise are prone to sicknesses.

RESERVATIONS(REBUTTALS): -They are the “unlesses” to the warrant. -A rebuttal is an argument itself, it may

include a claim, warrant and backing, and etc…

- Does not change the “ universality” of

the warrant. The claim must be considered because these exceptions exist.

- Example:

- Unless they are lazy or sick. Unless they are injured or physically challenged.

QUALIFIER: Include words such as ‘most’,

‘usually’, ‘always’, ‘sometimes’. Usually indicated strength of the

data to the warrant and may limit how the claim applies.

Example: Most likely – ( You will

benefit from exercising)

Toulmin Model of ArgumentExample: Exercising

(Qualifier) most likely

(Claims)Exercising is good for your

health

(Warrant)Every person that exercise

can be expected to live long & healthy

lives

(Reservations)

Unless they are lazy,

injured, or physically challenged

(Backing)If you don’t

exercise you will become more

prone to diseases and have higher

chances of dying early (Backing)

LA times states “ 7 Out of 10” Americans who

don’t exercise are prone to sicknesses.

Why is this model created?Stephen Toulmin created this model to

analyze the various types of arguments.It’s not meant to judge to success or failure of

an attempt to prove & argument but it helps break it down to the main points.

The six parts of an argument is essential part of the overall validity and reasonable resources of the argument.