Argumentative Essay Ideas
Friday, April 1st, 2011Using Toulmin Method for Developing Argumentative Essay Ideas
Presentation and organization of ideas play an important role in writing essays on debatable issues. When writing an argumentative essay, you must be able to anticipate your reader’s reactions and present your arguments accordingly. No matter how convincing your argumentative essay ideas are, you must develop them effectively throughout the essay to make sure you leave your readers convinced at the end.
Stephen Toulmin, a contemporary philosopher, developed a logical method of argumentation that encompasses some of the main elements that are essential for winning over an argument. It applies not only to writing argumentative essays but also to all forms of essay writing and speech that demands development of logical argument to win a situation, establishment a hypothesis or persuasion as a skill.
Discussed below, with an example, are the six main components to be followed step by step when developing argumentative essay ideas:
Claim:
The claim is a thesis statement. Every dissertation or essay has a main idea. For Instance, the claim of your essay could be “Wordsworth did not follow his own poetic tenets in his poetry”
Data:
Data is the evidence we use to support our claim. Since the claim is a point of view or hypothesis based on observations or popular belief, we need valid evidence to support it. In the above case, we need to quote Wordsworth’s poetry to show how and where he does not follow his literary tenets.
Warrant:
Just stating the claim and an evidence to support it may not be helpful if you do not show they are related. A warrant is a bridge that links the thesis with the evidence. For Instance: In the above example, you may explain in detail Wordsworth’s poetic theory and quote his poems where you think he does not completely follow his own rules.
Backing or Foundation:
To support your warrant, you would need additional resources that argue in favour of your observation. It is here where your research comes handy. Make use of secondary resources like articles, research papers, and other literature by experts in your field. Use only those arguments that support your claim.
Keeping the above example, you should quote works of Wordsworth scholars and experts who have worked on a similar thesis. Show how they have proved their thesis and add your comments and review where needed.
Counter Claim:
A counter claim is a claim that contradicts your thesis. It is the most important aspect of an argumentative essay as it helps develop the argumentative essay ideas.
Rebuttal:
Ofcourse, you cannot expect all your readers to accept your point of view. But, you have to make sure that all their questions are answered in your essay, and answered convincingly. Since writing and reading, unlike speech and discussions, are solitary exercises, as a reader you will have to anticipate and assume your readers’ counter questions and answer them accordingly. The manner in which you defend your thesis in light of the counter claims decides the strength of your essay.
You are sure to convince your readers if you write essays following Toulmin’s method. If you are still not sure how to carry it out, get in touch with our essay experts or order professionally written custom essays.
