World of English

Argumentation

The history of the argument is a long one, probably as old as our ability to verbally communicate. It has, however, become refined over the course of humanities. Many traditions clarified what an argument is actually made, and through history we became better and better able to understand what was a good argument and what wasn't. Both the Greeks and Indians had highly-evolved modes of analysis and argumentation, and we still often refer to the syllogism as the Aristotelean syllogism.

Today, we understand an argument is made up of at least two parts—reasons and a conclusion. There are several models of looking at arguments, though, and different ways to break them apart. Two examples of ways to look at arguments are formal logic and the Toulmin Model. These are but a few of many approaches to arguments. Using different perspectives to examine an argument often leads to insights that you might not have seen otherwise.  Also, when you are able to break arguments down into different peices and analysize those peices seperately, you will find you are better able to understand and write arguments.

The Toulmin Model

I find that the Toulmin Model is an excellent way to approach arguments from a reasonable perspective and is much easier to apply than formal logic and can be used to look at a variety of arguments. It essentially breaks the argument down into its component parts, allowing one to consider each part independently and therefore better evaluate the argument, detect assumptions, and check evidence.  It is a great way to teach argumentation and debate, critical reading, and persuasive writing.

1. Claim: the position or claim being argued for; the conclusion of the argument.

2. Grounds: reasons or supporting evidence that bolster the claim.

3. Warrant: the principle, provision or chain of reasoning that connects the grounds/reason to the claim. 

4. Backing: support, justification, reasons to back up the warrant.

5. Qualification: specification of limits to claim, warrant and backing.  The degree of conditionality asserted. 

There are plenty of good Web sites out there on this model, and I suggest everyone interested in persuasive writing and critical thinking check them out.