Toulmin Method

 The Toulmin Method

According to page 318 of our class textbook Communicating Online, the Toulmin Method is a form of argumentation that divides an argument into six basic elements: claims, reasons, evidence, warrants, qualifiers, and rebuttals.

 

(our book did not include grounds or backing, but coincide with reasons)

The Toulmin Method Online

The Toulmin Method is found in more places that you would think. Any educated argument has some, if not all, elements of the Toulmin Method. An online example I found is an article called Yes, You Should Wear a Mask. Here’s How and Why. The title of the article is pretty self explanatory, but it is an argumentative and persuasive article about why people should wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes all six elements of the Toulmin Method as shown below:

Claim: You should wear a mask during the pandemic.

Reason: Properly wearing a mask or cloth face covering can help keep you safe while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evidence: The most common way COVID-19 spreads is through person-to-person contact. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they produce respiratory droplets that can travel about six feet and can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control recommend wearing masks or cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of the virus.

Warrant (unstated, but assumed): Every citizen is responsible for the stop of the COVID-19 spread as well as the health and safety of others.

Qualifier: While we can’t quantify how effective it is to wear a mask, we do know it offers some protection while not wearing one offers none.

Rebuttal: Despite the CDC’s recommendations, there is one big myth out there about the safety of wearing a mask – that it causes you to breath in dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide. “For those who can medically tolerate wearing a mask, there is no science to support claims that wearing a mask can harm you,” says Valyko. “Health care workers wear masks and respirators daily, often for extended periods of time, without incident. While it may be uncomfortable, this is how we can help protect one another from COVID-19.”

Overall, the Toulmin method is incredibly useful in persuasive arguments. It helps the author cover and defend their claim while also informing the reader. The article shown above displays its usefulness in fields beyond communication courses through its application in medical and health articles.

Works cited:

Green, Julia. Communicating Online. Vitalsource Bookshelf, McGraw-Hill Create, bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781307755855/pageid/321.