Phillip Albonetti Jackie Gantzer

    Identify and Explain the components of a Toulmin essay Examine the Toulmin Rubric and its structure Analyze sample essays in accordance with the Toulmin Rubric Identify resources to support teaching Toulmin in the classroom

   

Components and Examples of Toulmin

◦ ◦ Claim Premise ◦ ◦ Evidence Warrant ◦ Objection/Reply

The Rubric Example Essays Resources

Claim

 Definition: The main argument, or point of view, of an essay; what you are trying to “prove.” ◦   Claim of Fact Setting up recycling bins at school will reduce our carbon footprint.

Our school should add a computer technology class.

◦   Claim of Value Euthanasia is immoral.

Capital punishment is barbaric.

As I read off the following phrases, hold a “thumbs up!” if it’s a Claim And a “thumbs down!” if it’s a topic

Claim

Premise Premise

 Definition: A sub-point of the main argument; a reason to support the claim.

◦    Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.

Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare students for future employment.

Premise: Many students are very skilled on computers; having this class would help them explore their strengths and interests.

Premise: After learning more computer-based skills, students could help support any school IT issues.

• • Watch the following clip and identify: Claim 3 Premises

Coke vs. Pepsi

Claim Premise Premise

Evidence Evidence

 Definition: the “proof” for the premise/topic sentence. Much like a science classroom, evidence in an essay needs to be observable and/or measureable .

◦  Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.

Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare students for future employment.

 Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate technology to some degree.

  Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be a mechanic, they use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work.

Evidence: Technology skills are useful in jobs that don’t use computers, too.

Are these evidence statements observable? Measureable? CLAP hard if they are, do a weak clapper if they’re not.



Evidence must also be reliable and/or reasonable.

◦ If it’s a research paper, it must be cited or widely accepted as fact.

◦ If it’s an on-demand essay, it should be provable and reasonable.

Champ Kind: “It is anchor not anchor lady!

scientific fact!” man, And that is a Brian Fantana: “They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.” Ron Burgundy: “I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science.”

Chupacabra

 Is the alleged animal on the video a Chupacabra?

◦ What evidence do you have to prove your claim?

Claim Premise Premise Evidence

Warrant

Evidence

Warrant

  Definition: the connection between the evidence and the premise or overall claim. It serves to further explain rationale for a premise.

Answers the questions: What does this demonstrate? What does this prove? Why is this important? What does this mean?

◦  Claim: Our school should add a computer technology class.

Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare students for future employment.

 Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate technology to some degree.

 Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be a mechanic, they use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work.

 Warrant: This shows that even jobs that are considered more “manual labor” are utilizing technology these days.

 Sometimes students will put their warrant before the evidence.

 Premise: Having a computer technology class would prepare students for future employment.

 Warrant: Many jobs today, including those considered to be manual labor, use technology in some capacity.

  Evidence: Around 75% of jobs today incorporate technology to some degree.

Evidence: For example, if a student wanted to be a mechanic, they use computers to run diagnostics before they begin repair work.

 As I read each statement, determine whether it would be considered an EVIDENCE statement or a WARRANT statement by pointing towards the East or the West.

 Turn to a partner and begin reviewing the 4 Toulmin components we’ve covered so far. Explain what each component is and what it accomplishes in the essay.

Claim Premise Evidence Warrant  When you’re finished, “tag team” your partner, and they will go through them as well.

 Recycling  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Identify examples of the following from this clip Claim Premise Evidence Warrant

Premise Evidence Warrant Claim Premise

Objection

Evidence Warrant

  Definition: potential counter-arguments to a claim Providing an objection shows that the student has a thorough understanding of the argument, has thought through several points of view, and has thus, determined the best option.

◦    Examples Many people believe that recycling is too expensive and time-consuming.

Others have expressed that students should be able to use physical violence as a means of defending themselves.

Some students say that including another foreign language class is more important than a computer technology class.

Premise Evidence Warrant Claim Premise Evidence Warrant Objection

Reply

• • •   Definition: response to an objection Should include evidence and warrants, just like the other paragraphs.

Examples Many people believe that recycling is too expensive and time-consuming.

Others have expressed that students should be able to use physical violence as a means of defending themselves.

Some students say that including another foreign language class is more important than a computer technology class.

• • • In the long run, not recycling will actually cost tax payers more money.

If students respond to violence with violence, it will become a cycle in which everyone gets hurt.

Computer technology classes are more applicable to our future than foreign language classes.

Essay Paragraphs/ Sections Essay Section Components Essay Section Component Elements Scores

  Take a few minutes and look through the rubric. What other sections and components will students be scored on that we haven’t talked about?

Are there any parts that seem confusing to you, or that you will need more explanation about?



Page 11 in your ELA binders



Offers definitions, explanations, examples, and a guide to scoring essays using the rubric.

 Exemplars ◦ 8 th Grade Tindley Exemplar, “Referral Beat Down”  Page 60 In groups, identify the following from this essay: Paragraph 1: Claim Paragraphs 2-4: Premise, Evidence, Warrant ◦ HS Tindley Exemplar, “Fun Time for Homecoming”  Page 65 Individually, identify the following from this essay: Paragraph 1: Claim Paragraphs 2-3: Premise, Evidence, Warrant Paragraph 4: Objection, Reply