Writing Question Due Tomorrow
asheyw5
the_toulmin_method.pptxThe Toulmin Method
Analyzing your own arguments
Who is Toulmin and why should you care?
Stephen Toulmin was an English philosopher who identified six elements of argument: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal
We will be using a slightly modified version of Toulmin’s method (I have added the concept of enthymemes) to help you make rhetorical decisions as you compose your arguments for your final research proposal.
Using this method, you will clarify the following questions: Will my audience accept my stated reason? If not, I need substantial grounds. Will they accept my warrant? If not, I will need to make it explicit and provide backing.
Issue: What car should we buy?
Enthymeme #1: We should buy this Geo Metro because it is extremely economical.
Enthymeme #2: We should buy this used Volvo because it is very safe.
Enthymeme #3: We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red.
An enthymeme is a claim with a stated reason that depends on an unstated assumption.
Does one of these arguments seem a little odd or off-base? Why?
Toulmin analysis will help us discuss why this seems off-base and analyze these enthymemes.
Each of these enthymemes depends on an unstated assumption. If the audience is going to be swayed by the argument, the audience has to grant this unstated assumption. What is the unstated assumption behind each enthymeme?
Enthymeme #1: We should buy this Geo Metro because it is extremely economical.
Enthymeme #2: We should buy this used Volvo because it is very safe.
Enthymeme #3: We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red.
Assumption for #1: We should buy the car that is most economical (Economy is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car).
Assumption for #2: We should buy the car that is safest. (Safety is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car).
Assumption for #3:We should buy a car that is red. (The color red is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car).
Here is how each of these enthymemes would be displayed using the Toulmin term “warrant” for the unstated assumption.
Enthymeme #1:
Claim: We should buy this Geo Metro.
Stated Reason: It is extremely economical.
Warrant: We should buy the car that is most economical.
Enthymeme #2:
Claim: We should buy this used Volvo.
Stated Reason: It is very safe.
Warrant: We should buy the car that is safest.
Enthymeme #3:
Claim: We should buy this Ford Escort.
Stated Reason: It is red.
Warrant: We should buy a car that is red.
-We call these three statements (claim, stated reason, warrant) the “frame” or “skeleton” of a line of reasoning.
-This frame or skeleton needs to be fleshed out with “grounds” and/or “backing,” depending on the rhetorical context.
-For each of the above enthymemes, imagine a scenario in which you would most have to defend the stated reason. Then imagine another scenario in which you would most have to support the warrant.
-The next slides apply the Toulmin scheme to the three enthymemes. If you are confused by any of Toulmin’s terms, review chapter 4 of your text for clear definitions.
Toulmin Scheme for Enthymeme 1
Claim: We should buy this Geo Metro.
Stated Reason: It is extremely economical.
Grounds: Evidence that the Geo Metro is economical (Government statistics on gas mileage; projected repair costs,etc).
Warrant: We should buy the car that is most economical.
Backing: Arguments showing why economy is the most important criterion (Argument would be aimed at specific audience: We need to save money; we have a long commute and need to cut fuel costs; we can put the money saved into our dream vacation, better clothes, etc.).
Conditions of Rebuttal: Questioning the stated reason and grounds: The Geo Metro isn’t as economical as you think(Granted it gets high gas mileage, but repair costs are high and resale is low). Questioning the warrant and backing: I’ll grant you that the Geo Metro is economical, but economy shouldn’t be our most important criterion. What about safety? Imagine that little Metro in a head-on collision with an SUV. (Other arguments downgrading economy as the chief criterion).
Qualifier: Perhaps the Geo Metro is the best choice for us.
Toulmin Scheme for Enthymeme 2
Claim: We should buy this used Volvo.
Stated Reason: It is very safe.
Grounds: Evidence that the used Volvo is very safe (Crash and injury data on Volvos: insurance company figures on Volvo saftety; government crash tests; other data demonstrating safety of car).
Warrant: We should buy the car that is safest.
Backing: Arguments for why safety is the most important criteria (Writer generates arguments aimed at particular audience: We have a young family; My cousin died in an auto accident; etc.).
Conditions of Rebuttal: Questioning the stated reason and grounds: Maybe the Volvo isn’t as safe as you think(Evidence suggesting that another kind of care would be safer). Questioning the warrant and backing: While safety is important, other criteria are more important in our situation- economy, reliability, etc.(We’ll spend a fortune keeping the Volvo running: other cars are nearly as safe so the difference is negligible; this used Camry will be cheaper to buy, etc).
Qualifier: Let’s put the Volvo high on our list of cars to consider.
Toulmin Scheme for Enthymeme 3
Claim: We should buy this Ford Escort.
Stated Reason: It is red.
Grounds: Evidence that it is red (Ridiculous-nobody would dispute redness: testimony from others; scientific spectroscopy results; stated color on dealer’s spec sheet for car).
Warrant: We should buy a car that is red.
Backing: Argument that the color red should be the primary criterion for deciding what car to buy.
Can you think of any situations in which a specific car color should be a primary criterion? *See next slide
Possible Backing for Enthymeme 3
Warrant: We should buy a car that is red.
Backing: You must think it ludicrous that I think we should buy the Escort because it is red. But think for a minute about Grandma’s situation. Grandpa died four months ago. Grandma has hardly left the house since then and needs to snap out of her depression. She likes to drive, even though Grandpa usually did all the driving in that clunky ould Buick they owned. She never liked that car, and she won’t drive it now-maybe because it reminds her of Grandpa. What Grandma needs is a sporty, new, little, easy-to-drive-and-park car. So, of course, redness isn’t the only criterion we should think about. But there are dozens of sporty little cars on the market that fit our other criteria. What is most important is that the car be red. That has always been her favorite color. It is youthful and energetic. A little red car will help her snap out of her mourning and get her out of the house.
Toulmin Scheme for Enthymeme 3
Conditions of Rebuttal: Questioning the reason and grounds: Nobody will deny the car is red. Questioning the warrant and backing: I agree that red might perk Grandma up, but let’s look at other criteria before we buy on impulse.
Qualifier: Maybe we should buy the Escort.
