Legal writing guides have generally not incorporated Toulmin into their instruction. The one exception is Norman Brand and John White's Legal Writing, a book no longer in print. They call it "law-structured argument," and I have included an excerpt in the reading this week.
Toulmin and Visuals
If you Google Toulmin visuals, you will find hundreds of graphic representations of the approach. I've included a few here. Additionally, I've created some more simple ones in my lecture for this week. Hopefully one of these graphics will "click" for you,.
Selecting an Application
In the assignment instructions, I've provided some example Prezis and infographics. You are also welcome to use Powerpoint or Google Slides. If you are interested in making an infographic, consider one of the following free applications: Canva, Isme, Piktochart, Vengage. These applications provide templates and instructions for non-designers. They offer free versions and also sometimes free trial months for the more expansive paid versions. Here is a review of infographic tools so you can see what they look like.
In our discussion this week, we will talk about the case you've selected to work with, and we will also talk about these various tools.
In our discussion this week, we will talk about the case you've selected to work with, and we will also talk about these various tools.
Reading and Resources
1. Watch video about Toulmin by David Wright, a professor at Furman University.
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2. Read selection on Law-Structured Arguments from Norman Brand and John O. White's Legal Writing: The Strategy of Persuasion.
3. Read Week 10 lecture on Toulmin and Legal Reasoning
4. Read resources on design: 5. Read resources on presentations:
3. Read Week 10 lecture on Toulmin and Legal Reasoning
4. Read resources on design: 5. Read resources on presentations:
- Ten Powerpoint Tips, by Garr Reynolds (For a really interesting, additional presentation, see his Presentation Zen video)
- Powerpoint Guidelines from McGill University
- How to Use Prezi to Create Better Presentations from Belle Communications (this is a quick how-to guide)
- 8 Tips for an Awesome Prezi by Pitch Kitchen
- Eight Steps to Designing the Perfect Infographic, from Creative Bloq
- Effective infographic design from Envavo Tuts+
Activities
- Participate in a check-in Tuesday discussion in Bb.
- Participate in discussion 10.1 in Blackboard by Thursday, April 4, 11:59 p.m. I will be asking you which case you'll be arguing, and what medium and application you plan to use for the visual argument (i.e., a presentation or infographic).
- Draft visual argument on a homicide case for sharing toward the end of the week of April 8, exact date TBA.