ROGERIAN ARGUMENT ROGERIAN MODEL Named after the psychologist

ROGERIAN ARGUMENT

ROGERIAN MODEL • Named after the psychologist Carl Rogers, who believed that people could only resolve an issue or solve a problem once they found the "common ground. " • Emphasizes problem-solving and/or coming to consensus • Allows the author to appear open-minded or even objective • Best when you need to convince a hostile audience to at least respect your views • May rely heavily on ethos and pathos

WHAT’S THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROGERIAN AND TOULMIN? • Because it focuses on building bridges between writer and audience, and places considerable weight on the values, beliefs, and opinions the two share, a Rogerian argument doesn’t emphasize an "I win–you lose" outcome as much as classical or Toulmin arguments do.

OUTLINE OF ROGERIAN ARGUMENT • There are six elements: I. Introduction II. Summary of Opposing Views III. Statement of Understanding IV. Statement of Your Position V. Statement of Contexts VI. Statement of Benefits

COMPONENT 1: INTRODUCTION • State problem to be solved or question to be answered • Focus on how this is a problem for everyone • Explore common ground author shares with audience

COMPONENT 2: SUMMARY OF OPPOSING VIEWS • Summarize opponent’s viewpoint as accurately and objectively as possible • This shows that you can listen without judgment and that you understand all sides (establishes ethos)

COMPONENT 3: STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING • Explain which parts of the opponent’s viewpoint with which you agree • Explain conditions under which the opponent is right

COMPONENT 4: STATEMENT OF YOUR POSITION • State your position and reasons for believing this • Avoid language that is loaded, attacks the audience, or suggests your view is morally superior

COMPONENT 5: STATEMENT OF CONTEXTS • Describe the context under which your position works • Recognize that your opponent may not agree with you all the time, but by showing the merit of your claim under specific circumstances, the audience should be able to find common ground

COMPONENT 6: STATEMENT OF BENEFITS • Show your position benefits your audience • Appeal to your audience’s self-interest • Show the concessions you have made and invite your audience to make concessions as well • Close your argument on a hopeful note, where both sides win

ROGERIAN ARGUMENTS: EXAMPLE 1. Introduction: Should students wear uniforms? 2. Summary of opposing views: Some argue YES as uniforms create a sense of equality and highlight the person, not the materials they wear. Others say NO because uniforms limit self expression and individuality. 3. Statement of Understanding: I understand the point of view that uniforms, in making students look the ‘same’, may also make them feel they are all ‘the same’, unable to express their personal style and individuality. 4. Statement of Your Position: However, I think the above belief is mistaken, because – in reality – it should not be the materials we wear that define who we are, but rather our actions, our words, our talents. With this in mind, I believe uniforms are a quality addition to any school policy. 5. Statement of Contexts: If your shoes are Nike brand, that does not tell me your are a talented athlete, merely that you or your parents have the money to purchase Brand names. If you wear purple, that does not tell me you are a talented artist, merely that you have a preference for purple. 6. State of Benefits: Meanwhile, in a uniform, brand names do not exist, and economic status is no longer a barrier. In a uniform, rather than your clothes speaking for you, you speak for yourself. In a uniform, you must prove – to the world and yourself – that you are a talented athlete, or artist, or mathematician. Ironically, by making everyone look ‘the same’, uniforms allow us to TRULY become unique.