1. Take stock of the sentences that constitute the argument.

I suggest using the "interpretation" node at this step for each sentence. Analysts need to paraphrase sentences (clauses) down to 70 characters or less. The complete sentence can be pasted in the summary, details, or quoted as a citation. For this example, I use the summary section.

This is fairly simple, but for the best analysis you should also separate out independent clauses. If you don’t do this you risk "blending" different elements, making analysis difficult. For example, in the above argument, there are four sentences. If you only letter the sentences, you get the following results:

       

    1. The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense.
    2.  

       

    3. According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared.
    4.  

       

    5. We do not claim that the increased popularity of games caused the decline, but the evidence makes a mockery of the suggestion that video games cause violent behavior.
    6.  

       

    7. Indeed, as the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared: "The state has not produced substantial evidence that…violent video games cause psychological or neurological harm to minors."
    8.  

Sentence c has two independent clauses. Take the extra step and treat them as separate sentences, it will simplify things in the long run. To keep track of the original structure, use numbered sub-points. For example:

     

  1. The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense.
  2.  

     

  3. According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared.
  4.  

     

  5.  

       

    1. We do not claim that the increased popularity of games caused the decline.
    2.  

       

    3. But the evidence makes a mockery of the suggestion that video games cause violent behavior.
    4.  

Indeed, as the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared: "The state has not produced substantial evidence that…violent video games cause psychological or neurological harm to minors."

RELATED ARTICLESExplain
Composing Arguments Illustrations
Fundamentals of Arguments
Modeling arguments.
Video game example.
1. Take stock of the sentences that constitute the argument.
Don't claim that video games lower youth violence.
Evidence makes a mockery of link between video games and behavior.
Evidence undermines the link between video games and behavior.
Supreme court notes the lack of evidence.
Youth violence has declined as video game popularity soared.
2. Focus on one element of the Toulmin model at a time.
3. Compare two sentences from the argument in question.
4. Select the next sentence and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. Label the sentence with the appropriate Toulmin model element.
6. Move to next Toulmin element and repeat steps 3-6.
7. Label remaining sentences with appropriate optional elements.
Graph of this discussion
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