Oral Communication · Chapter 13

The Warrant X-Ray

Almost every argument that fails, fails at the warrant — the assumption that licenses the jump from your evidence to your claim, and which almost nobody says out loud. Say it out loud here. Then add backing, qualify honestly and name your own rebuttal, while the skeptic in the front row answers with the strongest attack your argument still permits.

1 · The argument on the table

Claim — what you want accepted

Grounds — what you have got

2 · Now say the warrant — how does the evidence get you to the claim?

3 · Reinforce it

Evidence quality

Qualifier — how strongly are you claiming it?

Backing — give the skeptic a reason to grant the warrant Rebuttal — name the conditions under which your own claim fails

The argument, as you would say it

Survives a skeptic0%

The front row