toulmin

Toulmin Analysis of Gay Marriage: A Rogerian Argument

Step One: Outlining the Argument

Claim: Gay marriage should be legalized

Reasons:

-because gay couples should get the same marriage rights

-because it’ll make America a more equal country

-because it’s can be a positive change

-because it would boost the economy

-because it encourages tolerance

Evidence:

“because gay couples should get the same marriage rights”- gay couples have to file taxes separately, they can’t make any decisions or see their loved one if he/she is in a critical medical condition

“because it’ll make America a more equal country”- people in America don’t have equal rights eg. Unequal paychecks because of gender

“because it’s a positive change”- women’s suffrage, freeing the slaves, they’re considered as positive changes even though people were reluctant at first

“because it would boost the economy”-   when people get marry they have to spend money, renting wedding halls, marriage license, etc

“because it encourages tolerance”- people are sometimes very intolerant towards things they don’t understand. Legalizing gay marriage would show that gay couples are equal to heterosexual ones and may change people’s opinion.

Warrants:

“because gay couples should get the same marriage rights”-

a.       People should be able to be a part of their loved one’s life

b.      It’s a basic civil right

“because it’ll make America a more equal country”

a.       America is a country based on equality

b.      Equality is a good

“because it’s a positive change”-

a.       civil rights is a worthy goal

“because it would boost the economy”-  

a.       We want a good economy

b.      A good economy will benefit America and its citizens

“because it encourages tolerance”-

a.       People should be tolerant

b.      Tolerance makes society better

Backing:

“People should be able to be a part of their loved one’s life”-being involved is important. If you have a say in your loved one’s life then it gives you more control and makes you feel more comfortable.

“It’s a basic civil right”-You should be able to marry the person you love.

“America is a country based on equality”- Our constitution is based off the Declaration which states that all men are created equal, ergo equality is important.

“Equality is a good”-Everybody has value therefor they should be treated with respect.

“civil rights is a worthy goal”- Civil rights are good, we enjoy having civil rights because without them our voices wouldn’t be heard.

“We want a good economy”- having a good economy means more jobs, which good for the people because they need jobs to make a living.

“A good economy will benefit America and its citizens”-Americans want jobs so they can support themselves.

“People should be tolerant”- being tolerant builds a better character and makes other people more comfortable. Being uncomfortable is bad because it prevents them from showing their full potential.

“Tolerance makes society better”- Tolerance encourages us to be open-minded and willing to accept different views. Having different perspectives makes a society unique and makes people more productive and willing to be involved.

Step 2:

The reason that gay couples should get same rights as heterosexual needs a better warrant. It’s more of an emotional argument than logical. The reason that it’s a positive change also needs more evidence and the warrant needs more backing up. The audience wont readily agree with that reason. Saying that it’ll boost the economy doesn’t need too much reasoning. Tolerance and equality being good is pretty self explanatory. The audience will most likely agree on that. Saying that people deserve civil rights doesn’t need as much convincing on how legalizing gay marriage will achieve that. 

Rogerian Arguement

                   
                Thomas Jefferson once wrote in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal.  Hundred of years later Abraham Lincoln,who considered the Declaration as the foundation of his political philosophy, freed the slaves in the south with the Emancipation Proclamation. The phrase, all men are created equal continues to be quoted by significant American figures in politics and social life. And as Americans living in a world superpower nation we pride ourselves in being superior to other nations economically and socially. Yet, as great and advanced as we think we are, we still struggle over civil rights issue like gay marriage. Should two gay men be able to marry? Both the sides opposing gay marriage and the      
supporting it each have their own valid reasons.

               There are a number of reasons why a good portion of Americans are against gay marriage. The main argument is religion. Many people are taught by the bible that marriage is to be between man and women, hence Adam and Eve.  Religious people have certain morals that they must follow and for many that means homosexuals are sinners. To insult their religion and the god(s) that they pray to is comparable to someone badmouthing your role model and neither are justified. Aside from religious reasons,  there are also people that claim a fatherly and motherly  figure is key in marriage and family.  When the time to raise children comes it may be more convenient  for both the child and the parents that there is a mother and father figure.
           At the same time there are also valid arguments for why gay marriage should be legalized. Most people will agree that love shouldn't be restricted. Well in that sense,  gay marriage should be the same. Every human being should be able to marry who they love and receive the same benefits that heterosexual married couples get. Can you imagine being told that you will never be able to marry who you love? Can you
imagine your spouse in the hospital with some critical condition, yet you can't visit them or make any decisions on their behalf? Gay marriage may not be traditional and it's a big change. But change isn't always bad. Civil rights for African Americans, women's suffrage, the change in labor laws, those huge changes had a positive impact on our nation. In fact it's changes like those that makes America such a great country.
            There are benefits in legalizing gay marriage. For one it would boast the economy. Getting married cost money, and quite a lot too. As more couples obtain marriage license, rent out wedding halls and hire services, the state and business will make a profit. It also encourages a more tolerant society. People have insecurity and passing something like gay marriage can show not only America, but the whole world that we can live together without bringing others down.  Legalizing gay marriage to another step closer to true equality.