# Backing * Backing bolsters the warrant, not the claim itself. While **grounds** supply evidence directly for the claim, **backing** supplies evidence that makes the warrant credible. In other words, grounds support *what* you want an audience to accept, but backing explains *why* your (again, usually unstated) warrant holds up. * In the example above about water contamination, the backing for the warrant "pressure below 20 psi often draws harmful contaminants into the water system" might be scientific studies, water testing reports, and other reasons why "pressure below 20 psi often draws harmful contaminants into the water system" is reasonable. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://drew-m-loewe.gitbook.io/open-educational-resource-prepared-by-drew-m.-loewe-for-learning-about-argumentation-and-synthesis/the-toulmin-model-of-argumentation/backing.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.