The Toulmin Method

    The Toulmin Method, created by Stephen Toulmin in 1958, is an explanation of different elements of an argument. The main elements that make up the Toulmin Method are claim, evidence (data), warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal. Using this method can make understanding someone's argument very clear. This is due to the fact that the method can break down an argument part by part. 

    This is not only true for argumentative essays, but also for communication online. For example, the key element, the qualifier, could be used in a social media interaction. If you are trying to get a point across in a social media post, the use of the qualifier could make it so people can't find any way to go against your argument. This is done by using terms such as "in most cases" in your claim. Having this would strengthen your position since it makes it hard to find faults in it and rebut it.    

    One example of an online article that could be challenged by the Toulmin method is "2022 Subaru WRX Limited Yearlong Test Verdict: Better Than We First Thought" by MotorTrend. In this article, they are trying to argue that the 2022 Subaru WRX Limited is a fun car. One way this article can be challenged is by rebutting it and asking, "What counterarguments are here?". If you ask this, you can see that they forgot to mention what a non-car person thought. This leads to a counterargument since most people in the car market are not car people and might not find it interesting. 

    

    One negative of the Toulmin Method is that it can create an echo chamber. This is due to the fact that online communities can only post one agenda and not get challenged since everyone has the same view. A way to avoid an echo chamber is by looking at many types of media with different views. This can lead to avoiding echo chambers since you can find arguments for both sides of a story. To better understand echo chambers and how to avoid them, follow this link: https://www.poynter.org/tfcn/2023/echo-chambers-how-theyre-created-and-how-to-avoid-them/

    Critical thinking is necessary when it comes to using the Toulmin method in an online environment. First, critical thinking is necessary since it will help you to look deeper into an argument and see what the warrant and qualifier are. This is helpful since understanding these two elements of the method leads to seeing how the argument can be rebutted. 

Sources:

Brooks, David. “How to Build Strong Argumentation by Using the Toulmin Method.” Gadget Advisor, 10 Sept. 2022, gadgetadvisor.com/guides/how-to-build-strong-argumentation-by-using-the-toulmin-method/.

Morrison, Mac. “2022 Subaru WRX Limited Yearlong Test Verdict: Better than We First Thought.” MotorTrend, MotorTrend, 21 Dec. 2023, www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-subaru-wrx-limited-yearlong-test-review-verdict/.

Pennock, Story. “Echo Chambers: How They’re Created and How to Avoid Them.” Poynter, 5 May 2023, www.poynter.org/tfcn/2023/echo-chambers-how-theyre-created-and-how-to-avoid-them/.