Three choices for
Argument/Synthesis
Writing
Breakin’ out of the five paragraph
mold…
Purpose of the 5 Paragraph
Essay…
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To illustrate that you understand
3 aspects of a topic OR can
provide 3 reasons why a claim is
true while also refuting counter
claims.
The Five paragraph model
(2 range)
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Intro: Hook + Thesis
¨ Body Para 1: Topic Sentence
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
¨ Body Para 2: Topic Sentence
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
¨ Body Para 3: Topic Sentence
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
¤ Text evidence
¤ Commentary
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(Space for refutation for argument)
¨ Conclusion
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Explanation taken from:
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https://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/onlineguide/chapter8-09.cfm
The Classical Model (“B” or “A” range,
“parent” of the Five Paragraph Essay )
Notice there’s no paragraph
requirement…
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1.
Introduction: Give the context and background of your
issue. Establish style, tone, and significance of your issue.
2.
State your Case: Clarify your issue here. Give any
necessary background for understanding the issues. Define any
important terms or conditions here.
3.
Thesis/Proposition: State your central proposition. Be sure
that your hook presents an issue that is open to debate. Present
the subtopics or supportive points to forecast your argument for
your reader.
4.
Refutation: Analyze the opposition's argument and
summarize it; refute or address the points; point out faulty
reasoning and inappropriate appeals.
5.
Substantiation and Proof: Present and develop your own
case. Carefully plan your disclosure; avoid logical fallacies. Rely
primarily on reasoning for your appeal and use emotional appeals
carefully; use examples, facts, experts, and statistics. Develop
your argument using the appropriate prose strategy, e.g., causal
analysis, comparison, analogies, definitions.
6.
Conclusion: Conclude with conviction. Review your main
points and state your claims strongly. Make a strong plea for
action, or invite your readers to refute your argument.
Purpose of the Rogerian
Model…
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To convince a skeptical
audience that your position is
not only valid but in their best
interest by illustrating that you
really understand the opposing
viewpoints. EVERYONE GETS
TO YES! COMPROMISE…Carl
Rogers was just that kind of a
guy.
The Rogerian Model – Everyone
gets to YES!! 
(“A” Range)
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Suggested Organization for a Rogerian Argument
1.
Write a brief objective statement to define the
issue.
2.
Analyze and state the other's position in a
neutral, objective way. Demonstrate that you
understand the other's position and their reasons for
holding it. Avoid moralizing or judging the other's
position or reasons.
3.
Analyze and state your own position in a
neutral, objective way. Avoid moralizing about
your own position or reasons.
4.
Analyze what the two positions have in
common; find commonly shared goals and values.
5.
Propose a resolution to the issue that
recognizes and incorporates the interests of both
positions.
Let’s Read a Sample
Rogerian Argument…
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Read “Men Can’t Have it All Either” and try
to chunk the sections of the Rogerian
model
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Where is their objective?
Where is the issue defined?
Where is the opposition’s view acknowledged?
Where is the author’s claim acknowledged?
Where does the author identify common
grounds for compromise?
What resolution does the author suggest that will
benefit both parties?
Let’s try it with a sample
argument…
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Problem – You have an 79.6 at
the end of the 2nd quarter and
want your teacher to bump up
your grade to an B- so you’ll
have a B for the semester. How
would you structure your
argument if you want to use the
“Rogerian Method” (everyone
gets to YES!)?
Write a brief objective statement
(can be multiple sentences) to
define the issue
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How would you introduce the
issues to a skeptical audience
(your teacher ;)?
Analyze and state the other's
position in a neutral, objective
way.
 Demonstrate that you
understand the other's position
and their reasons for holding it.
Avoid moralizing or judging the
other's position or reasons.
MAKE THEM COMFORTABLE.
Boost your ETHOS!
Bridge…
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At this point you would bridge
from addressing the
counterclaim to your claim.
What’s your thesis/claim.
Analyze and develop your own
position in a neutral, objective
way.
 Avoid moralizing (being
preachy) about your own
position or reasons.
Analyze what the two
positions have in common
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find commonly shared goals and
values. Can’t we all just get
along?? 
Propose a resolution
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Propose a resolution to the
issue that recognizes and
incorporates the interests of
both positions.
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EVERYONE GETS TO YES! Or
we at least try to 