Toulmin for the Win: Top Method to Analyze Arguments

Have you ever been fed an argument that you knew instinctively was weak, but weren’t sure how to refute it? I know I’ve been there!  Luckily, there is a great method that can help…

The Toulmin Method

The Toulmin Method is a technique based on the work of philosopher Steven Toulmin that provides a systematic approach for analyzing the logic of arguments (Communicating Online 315). 

BONUS: As college students, this can also help us improve our argumentation skills! (Who doesn't want to argue better?) Anywho, according to Toulmin, there are 6 different elements that compose an argument: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal. Understanding these elements is key to analyzing arguments. These 6 elements can be divided into two triads:

Triad 1: claim, grounds, warrant 

Triad 2: backing, qualifier, rebuttal

Elements in Triad 2 support those in Triad 1 (Jenkinson 7:44).  

Ready? Let's get into it...

TRIAD 1:

1. Claim

The claim is the main argument. This is what we want the audience to believe or do. We can also think of it as the thesis, assertion, or proposition. If you can identify what the person wants the audience to believe overall, you’ve got the claim. There are three types of claims: fact claims, value claims, and policy claims.

Fact Claims: focus on phenomena - things that can be empirically verified 

Value Claims: involve opinions, attitudes, and subjective evaluations 

Policy Claims: promote an action you think should occur

(Jenkinson 3:37) 

     

2. Grounds (AKA Evidence or Data) 

This answers why you’re making the claim. You can basically slip the word "because" in between the claim and the grounds. The grounds are the facts and reasons presented in an argument to support the claim. For example, surveys, testimonials, statistics and examples may be used as evidence used in an argument (Communicating Online 297). 

3. Warrant

Warrants often go unstated and are essentially assumptions or beliefs that link an argument’s grounds to its claim (Communicating Online 317). If an audience doesn’t share the core belief that glues evidence to the claim, well, we might have to throw the argument out the window. The warrant must bridge the gap between the claim and the evidence. 

Bonus: Warrants can be based on Ethos, Pathos, or Logos.

Ethos: source credibility 

Pathos: emotional or motivational proof, shared values 

Logos: logical reasoning (inductive and deductive reasoning)  

(Communicating Online 299-300)

TRIAD 2:

4. Backing 

Backing is used to support the warrant. This is additional and clear reasoning or evidence for why the warrant is reliable (THUNK 4:11). According to Dr. Patricia Jenkinson, backing can also be used to support the grounds when necessary (Jenkinson 7:44).              

5. Qualifier

A qualifier is a way to make the claim more specific or clear. Looking for qualifiers in an argument helps us point out if an argument is being presented as a universal truth or something that is only true under certain circumstances. An argument without qualifiers may be easily discredited by pointing out instances when the argument doesn’t hold water. A strong argument, on the other hand, uses qualifiers to prevent this (Communicating Online 317-8). 

Bonus! Some general qualifying words include: 

some, many, probably, presumably, sometimes, and usually. 

6. Rebuttal

A rebuttal is simply getting ahead of counterarguments by acknowledging them, and stating why they don’t invalidate the argument (Communicating Online 318). This helps avoid the trap of one-sided thinking. It also shows an audience that the person making the argument has actually thought of other viewpoints.       

Toulmin in Practice  

Here are 3 of my favorite examples of how I have seen the Toulmin Method used online!

Example 1: In this adorable video posted to the YouTube channel tamuwritingcenter, the claim is that “Dogs are the greatest pets.” You can watch the entire video below, but the example in the video is cued up for you here!  

Example 2: In this YouTube video by Michaella Thornton, the professor uses the Toulmin Method to break down a political cartoon by RJ Matson. You can watch the entire video below, but the example in the video is cued up for you here! 

Example 3: Sean Henri, founder and CEO of Pepperland Marketing, makes an interesting case for using the Toulmin Method in inbound marketing pitches. You can check it out on the Pepperland blog here!

More Toulmin  

By far my favorite overview of the Toulmin Method is found in this YouTube video by Patricia Jenkinson, professor of Communication at Sacramento City College. Give it a watch below! 

 

I think this method makes it a whole lot easier to break arguments down and analyze their effectiveness. What do you think? Let me know in the comments! 

Works Cited: 

Communicating Online. (n.d.). McGraw-Hill Create. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781307755855. 

Jenkinson, Patricia. “Toulmin Model.” YouTube, September 21, 2019. https://youtu.be/syGLJy7jjsk.

Michaella Thornton. “The Toulmin Model Explained.” YouTube, January 28, 2014. https://youtu.be/ZEIHCxpKSTM?t=364.

Tamuwritingcenter. “Toulmin Method.” YouTube, September 20, 2019. https://youtu.be/GWnEbMZ0IaA.

Thunk. “106. The Toulmin Method of Argumentation | THUNK.” YouTube, November 29, 2016. https://youtu.be/1vArfwlX04I.