The Toulmin method is a tool for creating a good argument and analyzing other’s argument. We will know the connections the author makes to get to his or her point.
Through this deconstructing method, we will have a clearer picture of the author’s flow of argument.
This will be a good tool for my thesis.
The Method
The Toulmin method has, generally, six (6) elements.
- Claim
- Grounds
- Warrant
- Backing
- Qualifier
- Rebuttal
The claim is what the author fights for. It is his or her stand or position on a subject matter. The grounds are the various data to support the claim. The warrant is the connection of the grounds to the claim. The backing is the support for the warrant. The qualifier puts certain limitations or conditions on the warrant. The rebuttal is a set of counter-data (i.e., which are against the author’s claim) that the author acknowledges to be valid.
An Example
I claim that all people are inherently good. My ground is that people help each other in times of crisis. My warrant is that being helpful is a trait of goodness. My backing for the warrant is that helpfulness motivates other people to help others also.
Now, as a qualifier for my warrant, there may be circumstances where being helpful is undesirable. And a rebuttal for my claim could be that people are capable of evil actions, actions that are done deliberately with no remorse.
Empathy 