Toulmin Argument Map

A critical thinking tool for college students

Map the Structure of an Argument

Hover over each box to learn what part of the map it represent. Every strong argument has these parts — some spoken, some unspoken.

Reason 1
Evidence or Logical Ground
Your strongest logical reason. This is the data, fact, or premise that most directly supports your claim through reasoned argument. Place your best logical reason here.
Reason 2
Supporting Evidence
A second piece of evidence or reasoning. It may come from statistics, expert opinion, historical precedent, or analogy.
Reason 3
What's at Stake for People
Your most emotionally powerful reason — what happens to real human lives if people ignore this claim? This is your closing appeal that shows the human cost or benefit. Place this last.
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Warrant
The Unspoken Bridge
The warrant is the unstated assumption or principle that connects the reason to the claim. It's what makes the logical leap possible. Warrants are often shared cultural values or logical principles that the audience already accepts.
▶
Warrant
The Unspoken Bridge
The warrant is the unstated assumption or principle that connects the reason to the claim. It's what makes the logical leap possible. Warrants are often shared cultural values or logical principles that the audience already accepts.
▶
Warrant
The Unspoken Bridge
The warrant is the unstated assumption or principle that connects the reason to the claim. It's what makes the logical leap possible. Warrants are often shared cultural values or logical principles that the audience already accepts.
Claim
Your Central Argument
The claim is the central proposition you are arguing. It must be debatable — a statement that could be false, that requires reasons and evidence to believe.
Rebuttal
Counterargument
A rebuttal is a counterargument against any part of your argument — a reason, a warrant, or even the claim itself. Acknowledging rebuttals strengthens your credibility. Rebuttals can appear anywhere under your argument.
Rebuttal
Against a Warrant
A rebuttal to a warrant challenges the hidden assumption — "Yes, but that principle doesn't always apply because..." This is often the most powerful kind of rebuttal.
Reason — your evidence
Claim — your position
Warrant — the hidden bridge
Rebuttal — counterarguments

Sort the Argument

Drag each statement into the correct box. Remember: arrange your reasons so that the strongest logical reason comes first and the most emotionally powerful reason — what's at stake for human lives — comes last.

💡 Ordering your reasons matters. Reason 1 should be your best logical argument. Reason 3 should show what is at stake for people.

Drag these statements

Colleges should ban the use of generative AI for written assignments.
Students who use AI to write essays miss the cognitive struggle that builds real analytical thinking skills.
Studies show that students using AI write less original prose and score 10-15% lower on independent assessments.
Without learning to argue effectively, graduates will be unable to advocate for themselves or their communities and miss opportunities to advance or initiate needed change.
Critics argue AI is a productivity tool no different from spell-check, and banning it disadvantages students who lack writing support at home.

Place each into the right box

Claim
Your central debatable position
Reasons — in order of priority
Reason 1 — best logical argument
Strongest logical / empirical reason
Reason 2 — supporting evidence
Second supporting reason
Reason 3 — what's at stake for people
Most emotionally powerful / human cost
Rebuttal
A counterargument to consider

Identify the Warrant

Every argument relies on unspoken assumptions — called warrants — that the audience must accept for the reason to support the claim. Below is an example argument. Your task is to expose the hidden warrant and challenge it.

Reason
Because it is falling apart.
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Claim
The building should be torn down.

Choose the unspoken warrant to challenge

This argument jumps from "falling apart" to "should be torn down" — but that leap relies on a hidden assumption. Each option below names a different unspoken warrant. Select the one you want to rebut or counter-argue, then write your response in the box that appears.

Warrant A
Dilapidated buildings cannot be fixed or are too expensive to fix.
✓
Warrant B
Dilapidated buildings are ugly and have no value to the street.
✓
Warrant C
Dilapidated buildings are dangerous for people on the street.
✓

Write Your Own

Choose a topic below, then write your own reason and identify the unspoken warrant. An AI tutor will evaluate your thinking.

Choose your argument topic

Select the claim you want to argue for. You'll write a reason supporting it and identify the hidden warrant connecting your reason to the claim.

Topic A
"Electric scooters should be banned on campus."
Topic B
"All departments on campus should NOT be required to add an internship requirement for their majors."
Topic C
"College sports coaches routinely earn millions more than other university employees — but we should resist proposals to cap their salaries at the level of the University President's pay."
✅

You've Mapped an Argument

You now understand the Toulmin model — the building blocks that make any argument more rigorous, transparent, and persuasive.

Key Takeaways

A claim must be debatable — a position, not a fact.
Reasons should be ordered: logical strength first, human stakes last.
The warrant is the unspoken assumption your audience must share. Find it — then decide if it holds.
Acknowledging rebuttals makes you more credible, not weaker.