ASSIGNMENT Toulmin Essay

The Toulmin method is an informal method of reasoning. Created by the British philosopher Stephen Toulmin, it involves the data, claim, and warrant of an argument. These three parts of the argument are all necessary to support a good argument. The “Data” is the evidence used to prove something. The “Claim” is what you are proving with the data. The “Warrant” is the assumption or principle that connects the data to the claim. All three parts are necessary.

Assignment Instructions

Instructions: Please carefully read the following assignment details in its entirety. There are many components to this particular assignment, and each component is graded

This essay should be between 900 and 1000 words, excluding the required annotated bibliography.The Toulmin essay will help you practice what you have learned so far in this course. First, you will choose a topic of interest. Make sure that you choose a topic with two opposing sides. Then, you need to research that topic in order to specify the topic’s scope, so it can be easily discussed in 1000 word essay. For example, you may be interested in learning more about traffic issues in the United States. However, that topic is too large to cover in a 1000 word essay. After researching peer reviewed articles that discuss US traffic issues in general, you may discover that the metro system in the District of Columbia is underfunded and underutilized.  Through your research, you found that you could make a claim that more funds should be made available in order to upgrade the metro system, which would improve traffic issues in the District of Columbia. This would make for a stronger, specific argument.

MLA Format

My Topic: The advantage of online vs dating Traditional Dating

This essay must include a minimum of five sources.  Three should be peer-reviewed sources.

I already attached three publications that are peer reviewed, use them! You are free two find two other sources on your own! 🙂

Note: Consider your audience as laymen in the field with only general knowledge of your topic.

Make sure to include the following sections in your essay:

·         an introduction and claim,

·         background,

·         body,

·         and a conclusion.

Within the body of your essay, make sure to include the following in any order:

·         support for your claim

·         opposing or alternate views5

·         the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents’ claims

·         and your rebuttals of their claims.

After you have written your essay, please make sure to revise the content of your essay. Lastly, be sure to edit your essay by checking grammar, format, and smaller technical details. Please make sure your essay is written in third person.

The Annotated Bibliography

An annotated Bibliography (AB) is due with your Toulmin essay. Using the MLA guide, list each source as it will appear on the Works Cited page of your essay. Summarize each source in two or three grammatically-correct  sentences. These short summaries are the “annotations.”

 The following is a sample of an “annotated bibliography.”

Annotated Bibliography (Centered)

Clark, Irene L. The Genre of Argument. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace, 1998. Print.

Clark’s textbook identifies the major steps to developing a well-researched and well-written argumentative essay. Professional essays are included in the text as models.

Ward, Russ. Logical Argument in the Research Paper. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace, 1997. Print.

Augmenting the steps to writing an argumentative research paper is information about proper documentation. The Toulmin System, an important aspect of a well-planned paper, should be studied carefully.   

       DISCLAIMER: Originality of attachments will be verified by Turnitin. Both you and your instructor will receive the results.