Toulmin Method

URL: https://open.lib.umn.edu/rhetoricaltheory/chapter/chapter-7-rhetoric-and-argumentation/

The Toulmin method has 6 main parts or components that are used to analyze things like arguments and or construct a message that is persuasive. A claim is the first part of the method, this is where the point that you want to make to the other person. Second is the reason, which is the statement that you provide to the other person with the 'why' of your claim. Next is evidence, your reason needs backing which is why evidence or proof is important. A warrant is fourth and it is the assumption that the other person should pick up from the writing since they are not explicitly said. The fifth part is the qualifier, in this part, the writer expands on the claim making it so that the other person reading it can't find any exception that would contradict the claim. The last part is the rebuttal, and the sixth part is the section that points out the exceptions in which the claim would not apply. This method is useful because it provides the writer with the steps needed to share their opinion on something and provide enough information that make their message compelling to their reader or listener depending on whether they writing or speaking. This method can also be applied to online communication because it can be used to write convincing messages in online debates where you would want to make your argument as strong as possible. Online discussions and social media interactions can also use the Toulmin method because it would make the person seem more correct in their opinion since they provided convincing evidence, counter-arguments were acknowledged, and exceptions were pointed out. An example of this would be if a person wanted to claim in a Facebook post that eating Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant was a better choice than at someone's home because it would provide more options for everyone. The Toulmin method would provide the reader with the what, why, because, and exceptions that eating Thanksgiving at a restaurant would have. 

URL: https://thefooddoodfeed.substack.com/p/its-one-week-from-thanksgiving-do

The challenges that the Toulmin method would have of echo chambers, information overloads, or even the influence of emotions could cause difficulties in communicating successfully in an online scenario but this could be overcome by double-checking your message. If we checked before we shared we can avoid these challenges because we could take the time to see what our message would look like to the other person and how they might respond to it. Critical thinking would also play a big role in using the Toulmin method since it would require a person to "step back and judge the quality of the argument, and whether you agree with it or not" (Green 296-297) which can be used when analyzing a post on social media. Information literacy is also important because it plays a role in which a person can research and gain information about the message so that they can make a well-rounded message on any online communication site.

References:

Green, Julia M. Communicating Online. United States, Mcgraw Hill Education Create, 2017, pp. 296–297.