Writing an argument is something all strong writers know how to do. By learning from other peoples mistakes and the different types of methods writers become more persuasive in their arguments. The Toulmin method is one way to analyze an argument. Stephen Toulmin created this method to better understand and examine the pieces of an argument in order to decide the effectiveness of it. In the article “The Locavore Myth: Why Buying from Nearby Farmers Won’t Save the Planet”, James E. McWilliams argues that although the locavore movement has brought attention to industrialized food, the movement still does not prevent the damage that is being done to the earth. All the different parts of the Toulmin method were used making this a well thoughtout …show more content…
If there is no claim, the writer has no topic they are trying to prove. James E. McWilliams claims that the locavore movement is not protecting the earth because there are multiple other factors that use energy and contribute to the hurting the earth. The author talks about the “other energy-hogging factors in food production” (McWilliams, 2009, ). The way McWilliams phrases the claim shows the reader he understands the topic on a deeper level and helps prove his assertion. Qualifiers help strengthen the argument and are used to make exceptions to the claim. McWilliams uses the phrase “a lot of them” when referring to the fans following the movement that are “making a big mistake” (McWilliams, 2009,). If “all of them” was used, people have the ability to contradict what is being said and prove the argument false. Evidence is also important in an argument because it makes ones’ claim and reasons valid.. In this article, McWilliams uses examples and statistics in order to prove his claim. In paragraph two he uses a New Zealand study that found that it was better for the planet if someone in London buys lamb from New Zealand even though the distance is larger. The study shows how “most English lamb is produced under intensive factory-like conditions with a big carbon footprint” (McWilliams, 2009, ). This evidence shows that