Exercises — Week 11: Week 11 — Argument I: Claim, Evidence, Warrant
2 hands-on tasks. Do them in order; each one feeds the Canvas item it names.
35 min · analysis
1. Toulmin Analysis
- Find a published editorial or op-ed of at least four paragraphs.
- Map it onto the Toulmin model: identify the claim, at least two grounds, the warrant (stated or unstated), and any qualifier.
- Write one sentence for each element, noting exactly where in the text it appears.
- Write one sentence explaining whether the warrant is likely to be accepted without backing, or whether it needs defending.
Turn in / bring: Toulmin analysis chart with one sentence per component.
30 min · written
2. Argument Outline with Explicit Warrants
- Choose a debatable issue in your school, city, or country.
- Write a thesis: claim + qualifier.
- For each of two body paragraphs, identify one piece of grounds and write the warrant that makes it relevant to the claim.
- State whether your warrant requires backing and, if so, what that backing would be.
Turn in / bring: Three-paragraph argument outline with all Toulmin elements labeled.