Flipped Lesson:An Introduction to Argumentation

AP Language and Composition

Topics to be Covered

Defining what exactly argumentation is.

Toulmin’s Analysis of Rhetoric

Practice and models of the above

Everything is an Argument

Everything is an Argument

Toulmin’s AnalysisBasic Parts of an Argument

Warrant

Claim

Data

You should buy our tooth-whitening product!

Studies show that teeth are 50% whiter after using our product!

People want whiter teeth…duh!

Women should buy our slimming jeans!

9 out of 10 women feel more confident and look slimmer!

People want to feel secure and slim.

The main idea of the author -- (thesis)

The use of evidence to support the claim.

The relevance of the idea.

Questions to Consider

Warrant

Claim

Data

What exactly qualifies as data?

How do you accurately support a claim?

How do you know what a warrant is, especially if

it’s not stated?

Evaluating the Argument

What is the writer’s message? What is he/she trying to convey?

Consider the claim’s purpose.

The claim is, in essence, the thesis of a writer’s body of work.

That thesis then has to be supported if there is to be any form of success.

Claim

Assessing a Claim

Claim

Evaluating the Argument

What is the writer’s support? What reasons are given? What evidence is presented?

Consider the authenticity of data. Is it legit, or is it a bunch of bologna?

Examples: statistics, surveys, research, expert testimony, first hand experience, general consensus.

In order for a claim to have weight, the data must be reliable, supportive, and work in favor.

Data

Assessing Data

Evaluating the Argument

What is being assumed here? What is it about the audience

and/or the situation that makes this possible?

The warrant is the link between the claim and the data. The weakest part of any argument

is the weakness of any warrant.

Warrant (or assumptions) make or break an argument.

Assessing a Warrant

Warrant

Refuting Arguments

A lot of what you see and read today is accepted without question. TV ads, conversations, teacher lectures, newspaper

articles, etc.

Using Toulmin’s model, you can accomplish two things: Identify the basic elements of an argument being made. Test and critique your own arguments.▪ Which will be a huge factor when writing argumentative papers.

There are three more elements to Toulmin’s model to discuss…

Apply: Practice

1. Many reasons exist for public schools to implement uniforms.

2. People should conserve energy and recycle to fight global warming.

PAUSE TO COMPLETE

Read each claim below and develop data and warrants for each.

CLAIM DATA WARRANT

UNIFORMS Reasons exist for public schools should implement uniforms.

BullyingHygieneCost efficiencySelf esteemSchool climatePreparation for “life”

Issues within schoolInappropriate dressStereotypesDATA

GLOBAL WARMING

People should conserve energy and recycle to fight global warming.

Rising temperaturesSevere weatherDepleting resourcesLandfill usagePollution

Politics and scienceEconomic impactResponsibilityDATA

Toulmin’s Model

Warrant

Claim

Data

An exception(s) to a claim.

A statement about how strong the claim is; providing a scenario/evidence

The need (if arisen) to support, or back, a

warrant or assumption.

Backing

Qualifier

Rebuttal

“You should buy our teeth-whitening product because it removes 50% of surface stains after

just one use!”

Qualifier: If a company claims that stains on teeth are caused by drinking coffee, a qualified claim may state that “the most significant cause of stained teeth is coffee.” It may not be the only cause, but it helps qualify a statement to be more accurate and therefore helps to appeal to the audience more to accomplish the goal.

Rebuttal: There is almost always an exception. For this, there may be coffee that doesn’t stain teeth. Therefore, the rebuttal (or exception) would be the following: “Coffee is the major cause of stained teeth but other staining from lack of proper brushing, smoking, or bacteria can occur.”

Toulmin’s Model -- Example

“You should buy our teeth-whitening product because it removes 50% of surface stains after

just one use!”

Backing: Sometimes the warrant is unimportant; other times it not broadly understood or accepted. In this case, a speaker/writer may have to defend a warrant. For this example, a company could back the warrant by saying whiter teeth will give you more dates or help you look better in yearbook photos.

Toulmin’s Model -- Example

Key Points

Everything around you contains an argument.

TOULMIN. Know the parts. Know their importance.

Practice through awareness.