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Toulmin Model

The Toulmin Model is a tool for diagramming informal arguments. It identifies the key components of an argument as the Claim, Grounds (evidence or data to support the claim), and Warrant (the justification for why the grounds support the claim). The model was developed by Stephen Toulmin to explain practical reasoning and everyday arguments, as he found formal logic unable to do so. It provides a framework to understand arguments by identifying the core elements and their relationships, though it presents a static view and real arguments can be less clear-cut.

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Hector Garcia
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173 views17 pages

Toulmin Model

The Toulmin Model is a tool for diagramming informal arguments. It identifies the key components of an argument as the Claim, Grounds (evidence or data to support the claim), and Warrant (the justification for why the grounds support the claim). The model was developed by Stephen Toulmin to explain practical reasoning and everyday arguments, as he found formal logic unable to do so. It provides a framework to understand arguments by identifying the core elements and their relationships, though it presents a static view and real arguments can be less clear-cut.

Uploaded by

Hector Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Toulmin Model

A tool for diagramming


informal arguments

Stephen Toulmin
Stephen Toulmin,
originally a British
logician, is now a
professor at USC. He
became frustrated with
the inability of formal
logic to explain everyday
arguments, which
prompted him to develop
his own model of
practical reasoning.

The three basic elements:


Claim (assertion or proposition)
Grounds (proof, grounds, support)
Warrant (inferential leap)

Claims
A claim is the point an arguer is trying to
make. The claim is the conclusion,
proposition, or assertion an arguer wants
another to accept.
The claim answers the question, "So what
is your point?
example: Rosario is an American citizen,
citizen
because she was born in the United States.
example: Barack Obama doesnt wear a flag
pin on his lapel, so he must not be patriotic.

More about claims...


There are four basic types of claims:
fact: claims which focus on empirically
verifiable phenomena
judgment/value: claims involving opinions,
attitudes, and subjective evaluations of
things
policy: claims advocating courses of action
that should be undertaken
definition/classification: indicates what
criteria are being used to to define a term or
what category something falls into

Grounds (proof or data)


Grounds refers to the proof or
evidence an arguer offers.
Grounds can consist of statistics,
quotations, reports, findings, physical
evidence, or various forms of
reasoning
example: Im a vegetarian. One reason is
that I feel sorry for the animals. Another
reason is for my own health.
example: I made the dinner, so you can
do the dishes.

More about grounds...


Grounds are the support the arguer offers
on behalf of his/her claim. The grounds
answer questions such as:

"What is your proof?


"How do you know?
"Why?
example: It looks like rain. The barometer is
falling.
falling
example: "The other Ritz Carlton hotels I've
stayed at had great pools,
pools so I'll bet this one has
a great pool too."

Still more about grounds...


grounds can be based on:
evidence: facts, statistics, reports, or
physical proof
source credibility: authorities, experts,
celebrity endorsers, a close friend, or
someone's say-so
analysis and reasoning: reasons may be
offered as proof
premises already held by the listener

Clue words for identifying


grounds
The grounds for an argument often
follow words such as because,
since, given that
example: Airports should x-ray all
luggage because a bomb could be
placed in a checked baggage.
example: I expect to do well on the
test, since I studied all night for it.

Warrants
The warrant is the inferential leap
that connects the claim with the
grounds.
The warrant is typically implicit
(unstated) and requires the listener to
recognize the connection between the
claim and grounds
The implicit nature of warrants means
the meaning of an argument is as
much a part of the receiver as it is a
part of the message.
Some arguments are multiwarranted, e.g., based on more than
one inferential leap

More about warrants...


The warrant performs a "linking" function by
establishing a mental connection between
the grounds and the claim
example: Muffin is running a temperature. Ill bet
she has an infection.
(warrant: sign reasoning; a fever is a reliable sign
of an infection)
example: "That dog is probably friendly. It is a
Golden Retriever.
(warrant: generalization; most or all Golden
Retrievers are friendly)

Still more about


warrants...
warrants can be based on:
ethos: source credibility, authority
logos: reason-giving, induction, deduction
pathos: emotional or motivational appeals
value premises: values shared by, or
presumed to be shared by, the receiver(s)
note: these categories aren't mutually
exclusive, there is considerable overlap
among the three

the first triad


sample argument 1

The Lakers are likely to


win the ballgame
tonight
Claim

They are playing


at home

Grounds

Warrant
(unstated) Generalization:
The home team enjoys an
advantage in basketball

the first triad


sample argument 2

It was nominated
for 10 Academy
Awards

Slumdog Millionaire is a
wonderful movie.

Grounds

Claim

Warrant
(unstated) Sign: a movies
greatness can be measured in
the number of Oscar
nominations it receives

the first triad


sample argument 3

Biff was probably in a


fight
Claim

He has a black eye

Grounds

Warrant
(unstated) Sign: A black eye
is a reliable indicator that a
person has been in a fight

the first triad


sample argument 4
If you surf at
Huntington Beach
right after it rains you
risk getting a bacterial
infection

Runoff from the


rain washes bacteria
into the ocean

Claim

Grounds

Warrant
(unstated) Cause-effect:
bacteria in the water causes
surfers to get ill.

Limitations regarding the


Toulmin model
The Toulmin model offers a somewhat
static view of an argument
Focuses on the argument maker, not
the target or respondent
Real-life arguments arent always neat
or clear
The Toulmin model is an analytical tool
Useful for dissecting arguments
before or after theyve been made
Not as useful, practical in the
heat of an argument
Since warrants are unstated, different
listeners may perceive them
differently

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