ENGL 112 Toulmin Argument Paper ----- at least 1200 words

ENGL 112 Toulmin Argument Paper Instructions

Stephen Toulmin was a “British philosopher, author, and educator” who believed few arguments follow the Classical argument style. He therefore developed a model for argument using six parts. The Toulmin method of argument can help us read the argument presented in news articles, essays, or college texts and other types of written or verbal argument.

Topic: Using the topic selected for the Annotated Bibliography #1 and the Classical Argument essay that was approved by your professor, use the Toulmin model to argue your topic. Your topic should be debatable. You will use sources to convince your audience.

Do not select topics from the following list unless you have permission from your instructor. These topics fall into the following categories: too broad (you will not write a book for this class), the topic is too current making reliable sources difficult to obtain, or the instructor has seen the issues too many times to read another paper on the issue.

Abortion	Capital Punishment	Censorship
Cell phone use while driving	Child Abuse	Eating disorders
Euthanasia	Evolution	Gun Control
Legalizing Marijuana	Smoking	Stem Cell Research

Once you have an issue, you will need to use effective reasoning and specific information to make your position convincing. Make sure you use a variety of source types (books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and so forth) and were taken from reliable databases such as those found on the campus Library. Standard reference works (dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Wikipedia) should not be used.

Review the argumentative techniques studied. As you write your position on the issue, you will need to make clear for the reader your reasons for the position you hold. You will also need to refute other possible positions. No first person.

Focus: The focus is on one position or perspective using the Toulmin model, while refuting your opponents.

Audience: The audience is appropriately identified stakeholders interested in and affected by the issue.

Organization and Development: Make sure the controlling ideas presented in the paper are yours and that all sources are clearly cited in the text of your essay. Include a Works Cited/Reference page and proper in-text citations for the documentation style of MLA or APA per your instructor’s requirements.

Also, download the documents Toulmin worksheet and ENGL112 Toulmin style exercises for more assistance in organizing and developing your argument.

Your Toulmin argument should show the six parts of an effective argument identified by Toulmin.

See the Toulmin PowerPoint for more information on writing this essay. Be sure you take a reasoned position (viewpoint) for the argument.

· Claim: I want the audience to believe___________________.

· Support/subclaims: They should believe this because X (list reasons) is true/valid, but Y (refute claims).

· Warrant: What values do I hold which make me believe this claim? Are these values the same as my audience?

· Backing: Who is my audience? Do they have the same warrants that I have?

· Rebuttal: What are the other positions on the issue? Which ones do need to discuss in may paper? Refute positions held by others on the issue.

· Qualifier: Should I state my argument in absolute terms or add some probable terms (sometimes, probably, if)?

Length, Format, and Requirements: 1,200-1,500 words, plus Works Cited or Reference page following MLA or APA formatting guidelines both in the text and in the Works Cited or Reference page per your instructor’s guidelines. You are required to use a minimum of five outside sources to support your argument.

Coherence: Show the connections between the evidence presented and your claim.

Due dates: See the calendar for due dates.

Grading: Review the grade rubric to see how your essay will be graded.