Using the notion of argumentative cell (Plantin in L’argumentation: histoire, théories et perspectives. Presses universitaires de France, Paris, 2005), based on Toulmin’s layout of argument (1958), we observe how argumentative units are formulated in actual discourses. An argumentative cell is a way of describing how different argumentative moves can occupy different zones of the cell (counter-argument, grounds for it, counter-conclusion, argument, grounds for it, conclusions, exceptions and restrictive frame), either explicitly or not. We discuss four problems Toulmin’s layout faces and offer solutions to integrate this layout within a linguistic perspective, in order to better describe pro-and-con arguments. We also claim that Toumin’s backing is tied with linguistic evidentiality and will show with some examples how this argumentative cell can contribute to clarifying the analysis of argumentation structures.