The Structures of Various
Arguments: Classical, Rogerian,
and Toulmin
AP English Language and
Composition
Classical Argument
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction—Sets the stage for the
argument
Thesis statement—the central claim of
the argument
Background—basic info needed to
understand the argument
Evidence and reasons for your position
Response to opposing views—also called
refutation or rebuttal
Conclusion—ends the argument logically
Classical Argument Example
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The WGA and AMTP are at odds over digital rights
royalties.
The WGA should be paid for new media broadcasts.
1988 was the last renegotiation for the WGA; the DVD
market was in its infancy and digital rights were
unheard of.
WGA members make 2 cents per DVD sold. They
make 0 cents from digital rebroadcasts.
The studios will lose money, but they make billions and
none will fold by a 2 cent increase in writer’s pay.
Writers should be paid for digital media rights and paid
more for DVD sales.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
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It’s called “Classic” for a reason; it’s time tested
and effective.
It’s straightforward and provides an easy
template to follow.
Disadvantages
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It’s called “Classic” for a reason; Aristotle wrote it
almost 2,500 years ago
It’s formulaic and doesn’t provide much room for
personal flair (but it can be done).
Rogerian Argument
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction—sets stage for the argument,
gains readers interest
Thesis—articulates the central claim
Common ground—explains the issue under
debate and looks for places of agreement
between opposing viewpoints, especially those
of a skeptical audience and the writer or
speaker
Discussion of the position—evidence and
reasons for believing the thesis
Conclusion—why the writer’s position is better
for everyone
Goals of Rogerian form
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Writers (or speakers) let readers (or listeners)
know they have been understood
Writers show how readers’ positions are valid in
certain contexts and under certain conditions
Writers get readers to believe that both of them
share the same values, types of experience,
attitudes, and perceptions and are thus similar in
significant ways.
An example of Rogerian Argument
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The WGA strike has been an ongoing struggle
between the WGA and the AMTP
With the advent of digital media, writers deserve
a fair share of the profits from internet broadcasts
Both the studios and writers benefit from new
media, and we all like money.
If studios pay writers royalties from new media
then they will abide by the spirit of the old
contracts and then writers will begin writing for
new media, and all will profit handsomely.
Paying writers for new media means more for all.
Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages
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Eases tension
Levels out power and control
Can utilize the opposing side’s position and
reframe it
Disadvantages
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You may start believing your opponent’s view
You need to find connections and risk change
Toulmin Method of Analyzing
Arguments
1.
2.
3.
4.
All arguments have claims
All arguments have support or reasons
for claims (or should in order to be
convincing)
All arguments have unstated
assumptions or warrants
The Toulmin method of argument
analysis is used to expose the unstated
assumptions of another’s argument in
order to question it, evaluate it, or
critique it in some way
Example of Toulmin Analysis
Claim: The
university should
establish rules of
punishment for
cheating students
...
Support: . . .
because last year
thirty students
were caught
cheating on
exams.
Warrants:
 Cheating is wrong
 Cheating should
be punished
 If students knew
they would be
punished, they
would not cheat.
 Enough students
are cheating that
there is a problem
More Toulmin Terminology
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Backing: an argument to support a warrant
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Conditions of rebuttal: ways that
counterarguments against your position might be
established
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Why is cheating wrong?
Why do we believe punishment will deter cheating?
Where might my claim be vulnerable to attacks by
skeptics?
Qualifier: a phrase that limits the scope of your
claim
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The university should establish rules of punishment for
cheating students as well as ways for preventing
cheating because last year thirty students were caught
cheating on exams.
Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages
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Requires creativity
You must be able to thoroughly analyze your
opponent’s position
Takes hard work and thorough research of
both sides.
Disadvantages
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Requires creativity
You must be able to analyze your opponent’s
position
Takes hard work and thorough research of
both sides.