What is the Toulmin method?

 

The Toulmin method is a model for understanding a specific style of communication, that of making an assertion, claim, or proposition. The model proposes that there are six main parts of any argument that might be categorically evaluated for a better understanding of the authors argument (Green, 286). The six most basic elements of the Toulmin method include claims, reasons, evidence, warrants, qualifiers, and rebuttals, yet each category has their own sub-category for analysis (Green, 286). Evaluating an argument with Toulmin’s systematic technique synthesizes the information in a way which might improve the qualitative judgement of the viewer. The method is intended as a logical filter that might illuminate gaps in an otherwise convincing argument, or equally affirm the warrants of an opposing point of view (Green, 286). Thus, the Toulmin method is also a communications tool.  

 

Who is Toulmin?

Born: March 25, 1922 London England

Died: December 4, 2009 (aged 87) Los Angeles California

Subjects Of Study: ethics prescriptive grammar

 

Toulmin was a British philosopher who had a major impact on the understanding of argument-communication through his systematic analysis of arguments (Britannica). Toulmin was a published author and was well respected in academic communities, but was most well noted for his contributions of his model (Britannica)    

 

While Toulmin’s model could be viewed as a formulaic methodology for evaluating persuasive communications, it might equally be viewed as a template for constructing an effective argument. In today’s online world, many arguments are communicated asynchronistically through all forms of media and cover every topic of human communications. National news reporting might be the most poignant and common example of the Toulmin method in practice. Reporting on a recent toxic disaster, NPR reporter Becky Sullivan presented an informative article that narrates the complexities of environmental cleanup. In evaluating the article, each of Toulmin’s elements is obvious. And this is no surprise. The Toulmin model provides a construct for systematically communicating complex claims clearly and concisely, which is a clear goal of journalist.