Which of the following elements from the Toulmin model refers to the reasoning process that is either verbalized or implied during an argument?

The element from the Toulmin model that refers to the reasoning process underlying an argument is the warrant. The warrant serves as the connection between the claim and the evidence, explaining why the evidence supports the claim. It provides the logical justification that links the two components, making it clear how the evidence presented relates to the assertion being made. For instance, if a speaker claims that a policy is effective (the claim) and supports it with statistics (the evidence), the warrant would delineate how those statistics logically affirm the effectiveness of the policy.

This reasoning helps the audience understand the relationship among the elements of the argument and validates the claim, thereby increasing the persuasive power of the argument. Understanding the role of the warrant is crucial for analyzing arguments and for constructing effective persuasive communications.