D&D Case Study in Argumentation Theories

This research paper explores social media discourses that demonstrate argumentation theories. Namely, this research centers on analyzing D&D arguments and discourse, as a way of theorizing the unique case of explicit narrative argument. By applying Toulmin’s model to discussions appearing in a D&D Facebook group, this research shows that D&D—due to being collaborative storytelling—naturally leads to narrative that has explicit warrants (supplied by metanarrative discussion, when Facebook users argue over what makes certain fantasy tropes more valid and realistic than others) for its claims. Moreover, this research references argumentation theory on the definition of “field” and “discourse communities”; it also shows how the fantasy genre can act as counterfactual, in that realistic world building relies on recreating trends from the real world (e.g., having language barriers, or different conflicting cultures).