Toulmin's model of argument worksheet

Writing Assignment:

Clip a short article, an advertisement, a cartoon, or a letter to the editor and use the Toulmin model to analyze it.

Write a 250 to 300 word paper i.e. 4- 5 paragraphs in which you identify and explain the claim, support, warrants, and backing in your example. Provide further information about rebuttals or qualifiers, if they are present.

This assignment is due on 02/24/2014 by 10.30am

Worksheet:

Toulmin’s model is an effective tool to help you question your sources and the essential elements of your own argument.

Source: (Record the full source citation here)_____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List each claim made in the argument.___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Record the data used to support each claim.______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Identify the warrants. (What assumptions make the data support the claims?) Are these warrants implicit (implied) or explicit (clearly stated)?______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Record any backing given for the warrant(s).______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List any qualifiers.___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List any rebuttals.___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is your overall evaluation of the strength or weakness of this argument? What reasons can you give to support your evaluation?_________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student Example:

Student

Professor Wilson

ENGL 1301

13 June 2013

C:\Users\marcia.wilson\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\27OMULAT\anti-abortion-billboard ms wilson class.jpg

Toulmin Model for Anti- Abortion

When readers see this billboard it will raise many questions or controversy. The claim is that the mother had an abortion and the father had no choice or rights to stop the procedure. This is also a pro- life ad and they are trying to convince people to not get abortions. The proof is on the billboard. The author is an extremist. The billboard was put up to get the attention and an emotional reaction from some women.

The implied warrant is that women get abortions without the fathers’ approval. Women should not abort their babies without the consent of the family members or other parties involved which does not include the government. The pro-life group is trying to get the attention of the public, mainly women to stop abortions.

The backing is implied that abortions are considered murder; also the backing is stated on the picture once again by saying “If the mother had decided to not kill our child!” The billboard is suggesting that women and medical professionals that perform or help abortions are being labeled as murderers. It is also reinforcing the obvious to persuade women to stop getting abortions.

A rebuttal is implied against the position that abortions are a woman’s right to have a choice. Others may say that abortions are okay in the event of rape, incest, and health reasons because any other reason is considered murder. Some may ask why the father was not notified prior to the procedure being done.