2. The Six Parts That Make Up an
Argument
Stephen Toulmin, is a modern day leader
and divided arguments into
sixcomponents:
1. Claims
2. Grounds
3. Warrants
4. Backing
5. Reservation (Rebuttals)
6. Qualifier
3. CLAIMS:
- Central idea & main point.
- The statement might be
directly stated or implied.
- Statement that you are
asking the person to accept
or deny.
- You may often ask yourself,
“ What is this person trying
to prove?”
- Example: Exercising is good
for your health.
4. GROUNDS:
Reasons to support the Claim
The ground is where the claim is based.
Consists of proof, evidence, or data.
Should be supported by hard facts and true
reasoning to why you stand strong to your claim
.
“What/ Why are they trying to prove to you?”
Example: Exercising is good BECAUSE…
It combats health diseases and
conditions, improves mood, boosts
energy, keeps your heart pumping, strengthen
your muscles, and basically IMPROVES your life
5. WARRANT
:
- Logic that underlies the argument
- Usually begin with all, every, any,
anytime, whenever, either, if, or
statements.
- Warrants link the claim and the
grounds together.
- You may ask yourself” Where is this
person coming from?” Why does the
data mean the claim is true?”
- Example: Every person that exercise
can be expected to live long & healthy
lives
6. BACKING:
The support to an argument
Gives extra support to the warrant and ground by
answering questions .
There must be a strong base statement to hold
true to the claim.
Example:
If you exercise you have better way of life and it
also helps reduce the probability of getting
diseases and sicknesses.
LA times states “ 7 Out of 10” Americans who
don‟t exercise are prone to sicknesses.
7. RESERVATIONS(REBUTTA
LS):
-They are the “unlesses” to the warrant.
-A rebuttal is an argument itself, it may
include a claim, warrant and backing,
and etc…
- Does not change the “ universality” of
the warrant. The claim must be
considered because these exceptions
exist.
- Example:
- Unless they are lazy or sick. Unless
they are injured or physically challenged.
8. QUALIFIER:
Include words such as „most‟,
„usually‟, „always‟, „sometimes‟.
Usually indicated strength of the data
to the warrant and may limit how the
claim applies.
Example: Most likely – ( You will
benefit from exercising)
9. Toulmin Model of Argument
Example: Exercising
(Grounds)
(Qualifier) (Claims)
because it prevents
sickness & diseases & It most likely Exercising is
reduced the chances of good for your
you getting sick or health
dying early
(Warrant)
(Reservations)
(Backing) Every person that
Unless they are
If you don’t exercise exercise can be
lazy, injured, or
you will become expected to live
physically
more prone to long & healthy
challenged
diseases and have lives
higher chances of
dying early
(Backing)
LA times states “ 7 Out of
10” Americans who don’t
exercise are prone to
sicknesses.
10. Why is this model created?
Stephen Toulmin created this model to analyze the
various types of arguments.
It‟s not meant to judge to success or failure of an
attempt to prove & argument but it helps break it
down to the main points.
The six parts of an argument is essential part of
the overall validity and reasonable resources of the
argument.
