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A Toulmin analysis will follow this form: 2

Because (evidence as support), therefore (claim), since (assumption), on account of
(backing), unless (reservation).
If there is a qualifier (such as usually or maybe), it will precede the claim. Here is a simple
example:
Because it is raining, therefore I should take my umbrella, since it will keep me dry.

You will immediately recognize the tacit assumption (that an umbrella will keep you dry)
given explicit expression in the warrant. The backing would be “on account of the fact
that the material is waterproof,” and the reservation might be “unless there is a hole in it.”
In this case, the backing and reservation are so obvious that they don’t need to be
stated. The following diagram illustrates this argument — a simple one indeed, but one Section 1 / Logical Reasoning and Organization: Shaping an Argument
that demonstrates the process:

Claim
Evidence
(It is raining) (I should take
my umbrella)

Assumption Qualifier Reservation
(An umbrella (Unless it has
will keep me dry) (Probably) a hole in it)

Backing
(The material
is waterproof)

Fully expressed, this Toulmin argument would read:

Because it is raining, therefore I should probably take my umbrella, since it will keep me
dry on account of its waterproof material, unless, of course, there is a hole in it.

Methods of Development

As writers develop their arguments, they employ various modes of expression to
achieve their purposes. Each of these modes is a way of thinking — a reasoning pat-
tern that develops and organizes the reasoning of the writer’s argument. Each pro-
vides a different method of development — among the most useful are narration,
cause and effect, comparison and contrast, definition, and description. Recognizing
these methods of development is one way an audience can trace a writer’s logic and
reasoning in an argument. Of course, a writer seldom relies on one pattern to organize
a full essay; more commonly, writers use them in individual paragraphs or sections of
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