Toulmin's Method

What is the Toulmin method?

The Toulmin method is an argumentation method which breaks arguments down into 6 components: claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing. The argument begins with the first 3 parts-claim, grounds, and warrant-and these 3 parts are essential to the Toulmin method. The last three steps are used to support and strengthen the argument. The Toulmin method helps us analyze and evaluate the logic of an argument (Green, 2020, p. 347-350).

How has the Toulmin method been used online?

An example of the Toulmin method being used online can be seen in this article from CNN titled "Should you visit your family for the holidays? Here's Dr. Leana Wen's answer." This article shows the Toulmin method being used to argue that families should not meet this holiday season because of covid-19. The claim is that you should not meet with your relatives this holiday season if they live in different households unless you are outside and socially distanced. The grounds is that covid 19 is spreading and family events would cause it to spread further. The warrant is the research done on  how covid spreads and the rising number of cases. The rebuttal is what if everyone gets tested before. 

References

Green, J. M. (2017). Communicating Online. United States: McGraw Hill Education Create.