ARGUMENT

Loudelyn B. Recomo
 ARGUMENT
The term ‘argument’ is used in everyday language to
describe a dispute or disagreement. However, within
written academic work, the presence of an argument
does not always indicate a disagreement.

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 Support something we think
has a merit– a position, a
1
point of view, a program, an
object.

Persuade someone that

AN ARGUMENT 2
something would be
beneficial to do (or not to do)

CAN BE USED - a particular course of

action.

TO: Reason with someone to get

3 them to change their mind or
their practice.
 Convince someone that
something is true, likely to
4
be true or probable— a fact,

AN ARGUMENT
an outcome.

Show someone the

CAN BE USED 5
problems or difficulties with
something—a theory, an

TO: approach, a course of

action.

 AN
ARGUMENT -a statement of fact

IS NOT: (i.e. Cebu is the Queen City of

the South.)

- an assertion or claim
(i.e. Wearing a seatbelt reduces
the risk of injury.)
- a conditional statement
(i.e. If you drink, you will damage
your brain.)
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 AN
ARGUMENT
IS NOT:
-a prescriptive statement
(i.e. The Government should

spend more
money on healthcare.)

- a series of statements about

the same thing.

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AN ARGUMENT IS:
-a group of statements of which one is a
proposition or claim that is supported by at
least one of the other statements

Example: Drinking water daily is good for

your health as it cleans out your liver and
reduces the level of toxins in your blood.
 PURPOSE
The purpose of an argument is to get others to believe what it
is you are asserting or claiming. You need to use an argument
when the point you are making may not be well known or may
not be well accepted or where you know there is some
disagreement or alternative perspective, Because of these,
you have to give reasons to support your position.

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 THE TOULMIN
MODEL OF
ARGUMENT
Stephen Toulmin indicates three
major, necessary parts of an
argument— the claim, the support,
and the warrants.

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 CLAIM
This is the main point, the thesis, the controlling idea. The
claim may be directly stated (usually at the first of a text,
but sometimes at the end, especially for effect) or the
claim may be implied. You can find the claim by asking the
question, "What is the author trying to prove?"

Toulmin Model of Argument

 SUPPORT
These are the reasons given in support of the claim; they are also
known as evidence, proof, data, arguments, or grounds. The
support of a claim can come in the form of facts and statistics,
expert opinions, examples, explanations, and logical reasoning.
You can find the support by asking, "What does the author say to
persuade the reader of the claim?"

Toulmin Model of Argument

WARRANTS
These are the assumptions or presuppositions underlying the
argument. Warrants are generally accepted beliefs and
values, common ways our culture or society views things;
because they are so commonplace, warrants are almost
always unstated and implied. The author and audience may
either share these beliefs, or the author’s warrants may be in
conflict with audience’s generally held beliefs and cultural
norms and values.
Toulmin Model of Argument
WARRANTS
Warrants are important because they are the "common
ground" of author and audience; shared warrants invite the
audience to participate by unconsciously supplying part of
the argument. Warrants are also important because they
provide the underlying reasons linking the claim and the
support. You can infer the warrants by asking, "What’s
causing the author to say the things s/he does?" or "Where’s
the author coming from?"
Toulmin Model of Argument
THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF
WARRANTS
Warrant-based generalization: A generalization is a broad
statement applied to a wide variety of circumstances or
people. A warrant-based generalization assumes that, if your
grounds and claim apply to a sample population, then they also
apply to the entire group from which the sample is taken.
Warrant based on principle: A warrant based on a principle
refers to a warrant related to a common moral or value. For
example, many people believe that it's important to tell the
truth.
Types of Warrants
THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF
WARRANTS
Warrant based on analogy: An analogy is a comparison
between two seemingly different ideas, people or
circumstances. A warrant based on an analogy means that
something true for one situation is likely also true for a distinct
situation with fundamental commonalities.
Warrant based on sign: A warrant based on a sign means
that the occurrence or presence of one thing indicates
another thing. For example, someone who owns a pet cat
likely also has cat food, beds and toys.
Types of Warrants
THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF
WARRANTS
Warrant based on authority: A warrant based on authority
establishes the truth based on an expert professional or group
within the field. For example, many education experts say it's
important for students to learn how to read and write.
Warrant based on causality: A warrant based on causality
means that one thing can influence or directly cause a
particular outcome. For example, exercising regularly can
help improve your physical health.
Types of Warrants
 WARRANT
GROUNDS CLAIM
 HERE’S AN EXAMPLE:
If you argue that there are dogs
nearby Warrant:
Dogs are
animals that
bark and howl
Grounds:
You hear
Claim:
barking and
There are
howling in the
dogs nearby
distance
 Claim :
HERE’S AN Universities should reinstate
affirmative action admissions.
EXAMPLE: Support :
Affirmative action provides
equal access to education
policies for all ethnic groups.

Warrant:
Equality of access is a basic
American value.
Toulmin Model of Argument
 THE TOULMIN
MODEL OF
ARGUMENT
However there are othert three parts—
backing, qualifier and rebuttal— that are
options that may help strengthen your
argument, especially if you are trying to
construct or analyze a more complex or
nuanced argument.
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 BACKING
Backing refers to any additional support of your warrant.
In many cases, the warrant is implied, and the backing
provides support for the warrant by giving a specific
example that justifies the warrant. It is an optional part
of the Toulmin model.

Toulmin Model of Argument

 QUALIFIER
The qualifier (or modal qualifier) indicates the strength
of the leap from the data to the warrant and may limit
how universally the claim applies. They include words
such as 'most', 'usually', 'always' or 'sometimes'.
Arguments may thus range from strong assertions to
generally quite floppy or largely and often rather
uncertain kinds of statement.

Toulmin Model of Argument

 REBUTTAL
A rebuttal is your acknowledgment of opposing views. By
including a rebuttal or qualifier, you help show that you’ve
carefully considered your claim, pre-empting
counterarguments and making your claim seem stronger
and unbiased. A rebuttal may help persuade reluctant
audience members to agree with your claim.

Toulmin Model of Argument

HERE’S AN Backing:
You know that

EXAMPLE: your neighbor has

two big German
Shepherds
If you argue that there are
dogs nearby
Warrant:
Dogs are
Grounds: animals that
You hear bark and howl Claim:
There are
barking and
dogs nearby
howling in the
distance
Qualifier:
Chances
are...
Rebuttal:
Unless there
are wolves
nearby