Toulmin Theory of Argumentation

1. Constructing an argument Toulmin Style

2. What car should we buy?

3. Enthymeme 1 We should buy this Geo Metro because it is extremely economical.

4. Enthymeme 2 We should buy this used Volvo because it is very safe.

5. Enthymeme 3 We should buy this Ford Falcon because it is red.

6. We should buy this Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. Assumption Economy is the major criterion we should use when buying a car.

7. We should buy this used Volvo because it is very safe. Assumption ?

8. We should buy this Ford Falcon because it is red. Assumption ?

9. Support or Refute Criterion reason or

10. Economy is the major criterion we should use when buying a car. Assumption We should buy this Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. Reason

11. Toulmin Terminology We should buy this used Volvo. Claim Reason It is very safe. We should buy the car that is the safest. Warrant

12. Toulmin Terminology Claim We should buy this used Volvo. It is very safe. Reason (Support) Grounds We should buy the car that is the safest. Warrant (assumption) Backing

13. These examples come from the Instructor’s Manuel for Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings by John D. Ramage and John C. Bean, which is available online at the site below: http://www.abacon.com/compsite/instructors/conline/toulmin.html