Argument Basics Test Review

Toulmin Model

Claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, rebuttal

4 types of claims

Policy, fact, value, cause and effect

Claims of policy

Uses the word should

Claims of fact

A claim that emphasizes what is claimed is true, testable, and factual

Claims of value

Opinionated claims like “Lincoln was a better president that FDR.”

Claims of Cause and Effect

This led to that claim

Syllogism

A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises). It consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. For example: Major premise: All humans are mortal. Minor premise: Socrates is human. Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

4 step refutation

Signal, state, support, summarize

Signal

Identify the claim you are responding to

State

Make your counter claim

Support

Reference evidence or explain the justification for your claim

Summarize

Explain the importance of your argument

Claim

The point you are trying to make, the assertion or thesis, the main argument.

Grounds

Your evidence and reasoning supporting the claim

Warrant

Logical link between grounds and claim, can be direct or indirect

Backing

Added justification of the warrant, additional evidence used to support the claim

Qualifier

Words/phrases that show how sure or probable the arguer thinks the claim is, allows for special cases, establishes the author as resonable

Rebuttal

Acknowledges possible limitations, exceptions, or counterarguments