Toulmin Argument [Lesson/Rubric]
Kimberly Stelly
Overview
After selecting a controversial topic, doing research, and completing an annotated bibliography for both sides of your argument, you are now ready to write a persuasive essay following the Toulmin Argument structure. Using your sources, present a reasonable, detailed, and convincing argument that proves your stance. Your audience is undecided about the topic. Your goal is to convince your audience of the validity of your position by using logical reasoning and valuable and reliable supporting evidence.
- Length: 3-4 pages (not including the Works Cited Page)
- Research: At least 6 sources and 8+ citations
- Structure:
- Introduction with Claim
- Grounds
- Rebuttal, Part One: Counterargument
- Rebuttal, Part Two: Refutation and Dismissal
- Conclusion
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this assignment, students will
- create a persuasive Toulmin Argument by introducing a current and arguable claim, developing grounds with evidence, addressing counterarguments, and concluding with restated claims and implications.
Introduction with CLAIM
The introduction should
- introduce the topic. Consider the goal or reason behind tackling this topic. Why should this topic concern society as a whole? Make sure the topic is controversial and current (i.e. happening this year). What conversations are currently being had about this topic?
- include any necessary background about the issue, including history, facts, dates, statistics, etc.
- define any unfamiliar or ambiguous terms. Explain any jargon associated with your topic.
- summarize the specific controversy, and include the opposing views or possibilities.
- state a claim or a position about the issue. Your claim is a debatable statement. If you qualify your claim, then you will limit your argument, which will make your argument easier to support.
- establish your credibility by demonstrating knowledge of the issue.
GROUNDS
The grounds should
- develop several reasons that support the claim.
- support all reasons with specific evidence from research (statistics or facts).
- integrate any direct quotes when
- the idea expressed is so clearly stated that paraphrasing or summarizing would distort or change the meaning of the statement or idea.
- referencing an expert whose opinions and exact words would establish your credibility.
- quoting a counterargument to show that you are representing their opinions fairly.
- there are lead-ins for every quote (i.e. no “drop quotes”).
- every quote (paraphrased or direct) is cited.
- fully explain the significance of evidence as it relates to reason and claim.
- include a stem explaining who is speaking and why we should listen for each quote. Is the speaker an expert, not just a writer or reporter?
- explain exactly how any cited research was conducted, the time frame of research, and who the subjects were or how they were selected.
- avoid argumentation fallacies.
- include any necessary warrants or backing. In other words, explain any underlying assumptions that your audience may need to understand in order to accept or agree with your argument.
REBUTTAL, PART ONE: Counterargument
The first part of the rebuttal should
- present the strongest opposition points to your “claim.”
- use specific quotes from the opposition to present their argument.
- Suggestion: Integrate quotes with statistics or facts to fairly represent the opposition’s credibility
- fully develop and objectively present the material.
REBUTTAL, PART TWO: Refutation and Dismissal
The second part of the rebuttal should
- specifically address and refute each point from the first part of the rebuttal.
- discover a logical fallacy or employ critical reasoning to dismiss any counterpoints.
- use specific quotes to support your point of view.
- Suggestion: Again, quotes with statistics or facts would add credibility to your refutation and dismissal.
Conclusion
The conclusion should
- restate the claim and summarize major supporting reasons.
- express the urgency of the issue, offer resolutions, and leave a lasting impression.
- answer the questions: What are the implications of your argument? Why does this matter? What do you want to happen? What should people think or do?
Works Cited Requirements
The Works Cited page should
- follow MLA guidelines for format and individual citation entries.
- begin on a separate page and maintain double-spacing.
- match in-text citation references.
- only include sources that have been evaluated and annotated in the annotated bibliography.
- center its title.
- list citations in alphabetical order.
Reminders
- Beware of argumentative fallacies in reasoning.
- Follow MLA guidelines for quotations and parenthetical documentation.
- Fully develop and explain any supporting points.
- Proofread for technical or stylistic flaws.
- Write in third person point of view.
- Make sure NO MORE than 15% of your paper is quoted material. More than one block quote is a BAD idea! Block quotes longer than six lines are a BAD idea! You are the author, meaning quotes should be used ONLY to support YOUR ideas. If there is not a solid fact or a statistic in the quote, don’t use it.
Writing Process Tips
- Write your paper, one section at a time.
- Peer edit, revise, and proofread your paper as you write each paragraph so you can catch any major problems before you get too far.
- Create your Works Cited page and include all sources used in the paper. Use your annotated bibliography for this.
- Double-check parenthetical citations against your Works Cited page—they must match.
- Turn in a typed rough draft for peer editing
- Edit, revise, and proofread your entire paper again, several times. Read the paper aloud to yourself, your family, and your friends. Make any necessary changes before you turn in the final draft.
Downloadable Resources (Assignment, Rubric, Peer Editing Questions, Lesson Presentation)
Click here to download a Word Doc version of this assignment:
Click here to download a Word Doc version of the rubric:
Click here to download a Word Doc version of the outline:
Click here to download a PowerPoint version of the lesson:
Toulmin Argument lesson presentation
Attribution:
Stelly, Kimberly. “Toulmin Argument [Lesson/Rubric].” Strategies, Skills and Models for Student Success in Writing and Reading Comprehension. College Station: Texas A&M University, 2024. This work is licensed with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).