7. Label remaining sentences with appropriate optional elements.
Move the elements using the same method in step six. Also, create a cross-link between warrant and data. Use the outline tab again. Select the warrant and click "cross-link" at the bottom. Click on the data in the outline and select "relevance from the drop down menu.
This step should only happen when you feel confident that you have all core elements, implicit or explicit. Each optional Toulmin model element is dependent on one of the core elements. You should still focus on one element at a time, but now apply the element to each remaining sentence in order and independently determine if each fits into the element in question.
| Element | Sentence | Result |
| Backing | c.i. = No = No d = Yes | The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense. According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared…. But the evidence makes a mockery of the suggestion that video games cause violent behavior. 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." . 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." |
| Rebuttal | c.i. = yes = yes | The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense. According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared…. 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. 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." . 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." |
| Qualifier | a = yes = yes | The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense. According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared…. 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. 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." . 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." |