Toulmin Analysis of an Essay

ENG122: Composition II

Toulmin Analysis

English 122: Composition II ~ Ancillary Materials ~

Toulmin Analysis

The Toulmin Model was invented by Stephen Toulmin, an argumentation theorist who adapted and

applied traditional ideas about argument and rhetoric to modern subject matter in business, law,

literature, and everyday debates and/or disagreements. Toulmin’s model is constituted of six different

parts: the claim, the evidence, the warrant, the backing, the rebuttal, and the qualifier. The first three

parts of the analysis model are present in every argument. The last two are not always present in an

argument, but that fact makes an analysis much easier. For example, if authors do not acknowledge

and address alternative perspectives in their arguments, they automatically commit a fallacy (an error

in argument) by stacking evidence in their favor to avoid casting doubt on their major claims. This

action is both an appeal to ignorance and a type of false dilemma fallacy. In other words, the author’s

claim seems to be true because it is the only perspective presented. Instead, an author should

effectively rebut other viewpoints with logic and credibility. The absence of qualifiers falls under the

subjectivist fallacy. No one is correct or incorrect 100% of the time. There is always an exception to

every rule, opinion, and stance.

Claim: A thesis statement—the major contention, claim, or point. It should denote exactly what is

being arguing and why. It is the guiding statement for the entire essay, and it should be defended

throughout the work.

Evidence: The information gathered about a subject. It is essential that the author includes all major

perspectives on the subject matter in order to prove that she/he has researched and completed

sound evaluations on every aspect of the topic.

Warrant: The dominantly held assumptions about the overall subject matter and perspectives

involved. The warrant might be unstated, but it always present. In other words, values, beliefs, and

principles about certain ideas are the basis of all arguments. These warrants are culturally held

notions of the world that arise from our families, communities, society, etc.

Backing: The evidence or reasoning used to support the warrant. Since warrants may differ or are

always in danger of being challenged, support for the warrants may be required. This backing is

usually in the form of a precedent or logical deduction. Examples: (a) Because this drug causes

side effects, it must be bad for you; or (b) Because Henny Penny is a chicken, she must be a bird.

Rebuttal: The alternative perspectives on a subject. However, the material is presented by the

opponent as only viable in limited constraints and not the most valid of perspectives.

Qualifier: Qualifiers are important to all arguments because they protect a claim (thesis) from

becoming an absolute statement. No statement can be correct at all times and/or under all

circumstances or situations. Examples of qualifiers (italicized) can be seen in the following thesis

statements: Though some video games may be educational, most video games prove to be a

negative influence on children.