COMM 1117 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Ava Duvernay, Stephen Toulmin, Taser
2 May 2018
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Generalization and Apology Warrants
Generalization: warrant in which a series of similar instances are assembled to show the existence of a
general principle
What makes generalizations into warrants?
• The specifics supporting the claims of the generalization are representative examples of a larger
class.
• The specifics are fairly chosen.
• The specifics do not have characteristics that defeat the generalization.
o Come up for another reason for mass incarceration and defeat their generalization
Two kinds of generalizations:
1. Classification warrants connect: a claim that is an extended statement about a specific
instance, called an illustration; with grounds that are statements thought to be true about the
category as a whole
2. Enumeration Warrants connect: a claim that is a statement about a category as a whole; with
grounds that are undeveloped statements thought to be true about specific instances, called
examples
Analogy: compares two situations that you believe have the same essential characteristics and reasons
that a specific characteristic found in one situation also exists in the analogous situation
1. Comparison type
2. Proportion type
Two kinds of analogies
1. Figurative analogy: a literary or fanciful comparison of objects, events, ideas, or people
2. Literal analogy: a factual comparison of objects, events, ideas or people.
Evidence as a Form of Support
Evidence: support for a claim that the arguer discovers from experience or outside authority
generally, enters the Toulmin model as grounds or backing
Examples- specific instances that aim at confronting others with what they will accept as bits of reality,
things that happened
*The Netflix 2016 documentary 13th, by Ava DuVernay, uses vivid specific instances to support its
arguments about mass incarnation
Problems with Examples
Representativeness- how can we make sure that the best examples or illustrations are being chosen?
Sufficiency- are there enough specific instances to be convincing?
Discrepancies- how do you account for negative instances?
Valuation- how do you decide the importance of a particular instance?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Generalization: warrant in which a series of similar instances are assembled to show the existence of a general principle. Analogy: compares two situations that you believe have the same essential characteristics and reasons that a specific characteristic found in one situation also exists in the analogous situation: comparison type, proportion type. Two kinds of analogies: figurative analogy: a literary or fanciful comparison of objects, events, ideas, or people, literal analogy: a factual comparison of objects, events, ideas or people. Evidence: support for a claim that the arguer discovers from experience or outside authority generally, enters the toulmin model as grounds or backing. Examples- specific instances that aim at confronting others with what they will accept as bits of reality, things that happened. *the netflix 2016 documentary 13th, by ava duvernay, uses vivid specific instances to support its arguments about mass incarnation. Often use central tendencies, a measure of what is normal in a large group.
