Argumentation Techniques
Toulmin Model
Structure arguments using claim, data, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal components.
What it is
Before & after
“We should hire more people because we're busy and everyone says we need help.”
“We should hire 3 engineers (claim) because sprint velocity dropped 30% (data), since understaffed teams can't maintain quality (warrant), backed by industry studies (backing), though budget constraints may limit timing (qualifier), despite concerns about training costs (rebuttal).”
When you’ll use it
Strategic proposals: 'We should expand to Asia (claim) because revenue projections show 40% growth potential (data), given that emerging markets typically yield higher returns (warrant)'
Budget justifications: Present spending request with data, explain the connecting logic, acknowledge limitations, and address potential objections
Performance evaluations: Make promotion case with evidence, underlying principles, supporting context, confidence level, and objection handling
Pro tip
Build complete arguments: what you want (claim), why it's true (data), how they connect (warrant), plus qualifiers and rebuttals.
Questions & answers
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