Toulmin Schema
NOTE: You will need to keep this handout for the duration of this unit.
Formuate two issue questions from the data set readings:
“Driving Global Warming”:
1.______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
1.______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
1.______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
Answering these questions, now find answers for the following unit definitions:
1. CLAIM = the point or position the author is trying to get an audience to accept.
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. STATED REASON = the ‘because…’ clause(s) that support the main claim.
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ENTHYMEME = your claim with the ‘because’ clause (stated reason).
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. GROUNDS = the evidence (data, facts, testimony, stats, examples) supporting your stated reason.
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. WARRANT = the unstated assumption behind your enthymeme. This is the statement of belief, value, or principal that, when accepted by an audience, warrants (or underwrites) your argument.
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. BACKING = evidence or other argumentation supporting the warrant
“Driving Global Warming”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Better Gas Milage”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Gas and Gasbags…”:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________