English 102 | Essay #3 and Annotated Bibliography

Toulmin Method Essay with Annotated Bibliography

Genre: Argument
Essay Length: 5-pages (does not include Annotated Bib.)
Sources: 5
Format: MLA8

Assignment
Write a well-researched essay using the Toulmin method that includes each source located for
the Annotated Bibliography assignment as support. This means that the Annoated Bibliography
shows your research and that the essay must successfully utilize all research.

SLOs Applied (See syllabus for full description)

The writer takes a stand… The writer makes informed, effective decisions… The writer uses
appropriate coherence and unity… The writer writes a research paper using credible secondary
sources… The writer identifies and uses standard reference work and the library to locate
current, relevant, and peer reviewed sources.

Toulmin Method
The basic requirements of the Toulmin method include:
1. Introduction with Claim
2. Support and Warrant
3. Refutation
4. Conclusion

The Introduction, like in previous essays, introduces the audience to the background information
and topic, and then narrows to the thesis.

The Claim is your thesis statement. Like other essays written in the academic classroom, your
introductory paragraph introduces the reader to the topic by establishing the context. Your claim
will be the last 1-2 sentences in the introductory paragraph. The claim is what you aim to prove
with your argument and research. The claim must be debatable. The claim will contain qualifiers
to narrow, as necessary. A qualifier is a word that helps to clarify the meaning or purpose of your
statement. Qualifiers will either limit or enhance the meaning. See the “Qualifiers” document in
Blackboard for more information.

The Support in the Toulmin method is both your argument (using rhetorical argument skills and
knowledge of logic) and the research incorporated in this essay. In other words, the support
operates as the grounds for your argument (think: what your argument stands on). Your sources
should include a variety of sources ranging from peer-reviewed journal articles to popular
sources. Use your knowledge from the previous unit to conduct your research by searching for
current, reputable sources.
The Warrant is an assumption that the audience needs to agree with in order to accept your
argument. A warrant may be implied or directly stated. See the example structure on p. 410-11 in
your textbook. The warrant is not a section of your essay; it is simply part of the support.

The Refutation(s) section allows you to acknowledge and respond to any counterarguments.
This allows you to present a more complete argument. It may also help you become a more
credible author, as it shows you have thought through each counterargument. Refutations should
be presented in no less than one well-developed paragraph. This section occurs after you support
your argument.

The Conclusion should aim to wrap-up the entire essay. It may be important to remind your
readers of your main points and how you have supported your argument. However, a conclusion
must do more than summarize. Discuss the implications of your argument to add importance
(think: say why it matters in the best way possible).

Annotated Bibliography
The Annotated Bibliography is the Works Cited page with one additional step. Include
annotations beneath each bibliographic entry. The goal of each annotation is to show your
knowledge of the source, its credibility, and how the source works in the essay. Each annotation
will include your developed and well-writing discussion of the purpose of using the source, the
connection to other sources, and the evaluation of the source. Include 2-3 sentences for each
component. Please note: the Annotated Bibliography does not count towards the 5-page
requirement for the essay.

Minimum Requirements for Sources

 Two scholarly, peer reviewed journal articles
o Published in the last 5 years
o Located on the LC databases
 Two quality popular sources
o Popular news magazines published online (eg. Time)
o Popular news websites (eg. The Huffington Post, Politico)
 Published in the last 12-months
 One quality source of your choosing

Textbook
Continue to reference the Research and MLA sections of the textbook. Read section W-14 before
beginning the Annotated Bib.

Schedule
See the syllabus for the schedule.