Definition:
A six-part model of argument (with similarities to the syllogism) introduced by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in his book The Uses of Argument (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1958). The Toulmin model can be used as a tool for analyzing and categorizing arguments.
Observations:
- "What is it that makes arguments work? What makes arguments effective? The British logician Stephen Toulmin made important contributions to argument theory that are useful for this line of inquiry. Toulmin found six components of arguments:
- Claim: A statement that something is so.
- Data: The backing for the claim.
- Warrant: The link between the claim and the grounds.
- Backing: Support for the warrant.
- Modality: The degree of certainty employed in offering the argument.
- Rebuttal: Exceptions to the initial claim.
(J. Meany and K. Shuster, Art, Argument, and Advocacy. IDEA, 2002) - "[Toulmin's] general model of 'data' leading to a 'claim,' mediated by a 'warrant' with any necessary 'backing,' has been very influential as a new standard of logical thinking, particularly among scholars of rhetoric and speech communication."
(C. W. Tindale, Rhetorical Argumentation. Sage, 2004) - "Toulmin's model actually boils down to a rhetorical expansion of the syllogism . . .. Although the reactions of others are anticipated, the model is primarily directed at representing the argumentation for the standpoint of the speaker or writer who advances the argumentation. The other party remains in fact passive: The acceptability of the claim is not made dependent on a systematic weighing up of arguments for and against the claim."
(F. H. van Eemeren and R. Grootendorst, A Systematic Theory of Argumentation. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2004)
