Question

What type of argument is used in this paragraph? I believe the cost of such drilling is too high. I agree with environmentalists who fear that drilling will disturb the migration of more than 130,000 caribou. Each spring, the caribou travel 400 miles to give birth on the coastal plain. In this area of the refuge, there are fewer predators. In addition, experts say that the oil in the area adds up to less than a six-month supply. Is such a small amount of oil worth the risk drilling poses to these animals?

Answer 1

This paragraph is an example of a Toulmin argument.

The Toulmin method has six elements: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal. The elements are used in this paragraph are;

Claim: a statement that the author wants the audience to accept as true.

"I believe the cost of drilling is too high."

Grounds: information that the claim is based off of.

"I agree with environmentalists who fear that drilling will disturb the migration of more than 130,000 caribou."

Backing: additional support for the claim by addressing different points related to your claim.

"In addition, experts say that the oil in the area adds up to less than a six-month supply."

Rebuttal: addresses the opposing view to reinforce the original argument.

"Is such a small amount of oil worth the risk drilling poses to the animals?"