EN1420

Digging Deeper intoThe Toulmin Model

1IntroductionI found the Wood (2012) article inspiring, so I though I would delve into the Toulmin Model further, since I am not as familiar with it as I would like.

I synthesized Woods (2012) chapter on the Toulmin Model to create a presentation I might use in the classroom.

Toulmins Model of ArgumentationDefines essential parts of an argumentExplains relationships among parts of an argumentProvides a tool for evaluation of arguments

33 Essential Parts in Any ArgumentClaim: your position or proposal

Support: your evidence

Warrant: beliefs and principles that underlie your claim (A claim may have multiple warrants.)4Is Support correct on this page, or should it be Grounds, as it appears two pages later?Support is the term employes in the text most consistently. A list of synonyms is also given, and the preferred synonym seems to be proof. Grounds and evidence also appear.For consistency mayhap we should stick with support.SusieToulmins Model of Argumentation

Warrants can strengthen the claimand its connection to the support. 5Toulmins Model of ArgumentationBacking shows a warrants reliability.Qualifiers tell when, how, and why a claim is reliable.Rebuttals explain when a claim is not true.

6Wait, should this be Support rather than Grounds? See previous pages.Changed to 'support'

Toulmins ModelClaimSupportWarrantBackingQualifierRebuttalWhat are the 6 parts of an argument in Toulmins model ?Excavating Warrants

8Dig deep!Warrants are:AssumptionsPrinciplesValuesShared ideas or beliefsand may not be apparent on the surface.

Buried Treasure

Warrants can:Persuade the readerEstablish common groundHelp identify flaws in an argument

Warrants do the heavy lifting of supporting your claim and its connection to your supportGrounds rather than Support?So changed.Digging DirectionsA warrant: Links support to a claim Supports the claim by showing that the data is relevantSo students should:Look back and forth between their claim and support.Ask: Why does that data (the support) mean my claim is true?

Digging DirectionsAdditional questions students should ask:

How does the support demonstrate that my claim is valid?What else must I believe to connect the support to this claim?

'grounds' not 'support'?so changed.

Quality, Not QuantityA good warrant:

Is a reasonable interpretation of facts Is a logical extension of thoughtDoes not assume more than the evidence supports

Videos of Toulmin Model Instructionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NreDN7PTOD8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fW5wrhl6NgI

Lesson Plans/Resourceshttp://wjrosser.suite101.com/teaching-huckleberry-finn-with-the-toulmin-model-a357976An interesting lesson plan for Huckleberry Finn using the Toulmin Model.http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/reading/toulmin/pop2e.cfmA scaffolding worksheet to help students create or analyze arguments.

ReferencesHillocks, G, Jr. (2010). Introduction: Planning for powerful learning. Teaching argument writing (pp. 1-11). Portmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Wood, Nancy V. (2012). Perspectives on argument (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.