The Toulmin Model in Brief

The Toulmin Model shows that arguments are made of three basic parts (the claim, the support, and the warrant), but that real arguments may also contain additional elements (backing, rebuttal, grounds, and qualifiers).

Claim - the main point of the argument; also called thesis, proposition, or conclusion.

Data - the evidence, opinions, reasoning, examples, and factual information that support the claim and make it possible for the reader to accept it; also called proof, evidence and reasons.

Warrant - the assumptions, general principles, the conventions of specific disciplines, widely held values, commonly accepted beliefs, and appeals to human motives that are an important part of any argument, and which enable the audience to accept the data as proof of the claim.

Backing - additional evidence provided to support or “back up” a warrant; often directly addressed if there is a strong possibility that your audience will reject the warrant. Answers the question: how do you know or why do you believe in your warrant?

Grounds – additional evidence provided to support or “back up” the data; often when the audience is likely to challenge the data. answers the question: how do you know your data or how do you know it is good data?

Rebuttal – conditions under which the argument will no longer hold true; exceptions that are outside the scope of your argument

Qualifiers – ways of avoiding presenting your claim as an absolute certainty, allowing for some uncertainty. Limitations you set on your claim.