The Toulmin Model of Argument

1. How are the traditional Aristotelian and the Toulmin approaches to argumentation similar?
The writer should state the claim (whatever he or she tries to convince the readers to do) up
front.With true data, hard evidence that cannot be challenged, the writer needs to base the claim; the
reasons will also include the reasoning for the claim.
How are they different?
According to Aristotle, with appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos, the writer should support this
thesis, while Toulmin argues that the claim should be supported by grounds or data, which is then linked
to the claim via the warrant.
2. Read the essay "Embryo Selection May Help Prevent Some Inherited Diseases" on pp. 38-39 in
the text.
What is the assumption put forward in the argument?

A technique that can test embryos for certain mutated genes and only uses those embryos that
don’t carry the mutation for implantation.

What is the claim?

Although this is the first report on using this method for a so-called prion disorder, it could also
help prevent diseases like Huntington’s and familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Ilan Tur-Kaspa
said.

List the kinds of support used to substantiate the claim.

Experts’ claim, case studies, and evidence from researchers and scientists.
3. After reading this essay, would you be more, or less inclined to use embryo selection if you
knew that you were a carrier of a genetic disorder and you were planning to have children?
Explain the reasons for your answer.
I’d definitely consider it because I would not want to risk the chance to put harm on my baby.
Since it has been proven by many experts’ claim, case studies, and evidence from researchers and
scientists, I’d trust the medicine enough to give it a try. If that does not work out for some reasons, there
will always be an adoption option.