Rogerian Argument
Based on the principles of
psychologist Carl Rogers
VIDEO
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PREZI
https://prezi.com/jvhndfdo5kzw/rogerian-argument
/
Origins of this
principle
Based on Carl Rogers’ theory that
people involved in disputes should
not respond to each other until they
fully and fairly state the other
person’s position.
The Purpose

Using the Rogerian strategy will strengthen
your argument.

Rogerian strategy acknowledges differing
viewpoints.
Parts of the Rogerian Argument
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
Re-Statement
Writer’s position
Benefits to opponent
1. Introduction -- The writer:
describes an issue well enough to show
that he/she fully understands
• recognizes that there is an opposing
viewpoint
• respects the alternative position
•
“Let’s meet in the middle.”
2. Re-Statement
The writer describes cases/contexts in
which the alternative position may be
legitimate.
“You may be right sometimes…”
3. Writer’s Position / Explanation of
the Speaker’s Stance
•
•
•
The writer states his position and presents
circumstances in which it is valid.
This is where the writer supports his views
with evidence.
The writer states VALID POINTS of his
argument.
“This is why my position
is right.”
4. Conclusion / Benefits to Opponent
The writer explains to the opponent how the
opponent would benefit from adopting the
writer’s position.
“See what you might gain by
agreeing with me?”
Let’s Summarize…
Rogerian arguments:

steer clear of inflammatory and
stereotypical language

emphasize how both sides of the
argument might benefit by working
together

advocate a win-win outcome
Paragraph 1

Acknowledge the opposing
viewpoint

State your opinion

Imply that YOUR view stands on
more solid ground
Paragraph 2

Provide a summary of the opposing
viewpoint

Explain what is valuable about the
opposition arguments
Paragraph 3

Use more detail to present your
arguments by raising the
opposing viewpoints

Emphasize the most important and valid
points of your argument

You may concede the validity of some of
those opposing viewpoints:
 “Granted…”
 “Nevertheless…”
 “Even so…”
Paragraph 4

Highlight the benefits of your
argument

Highlight the benefits to others if
they change viewpoints
YOUR Assignment

Use the textbook (p. 465-468) for
guidance

MLA format

3rd POV (no I / me / you / etc.)

Use in-text citations in EVERY paragraph

Include a Works Cited

Upload to TIIC
Day 2 – Warm Up – A Hypothetical Situation:
You have been seeing Chris for about a month. Chris
lives about 30 minutes away from you. You have a
date this Saturday, and Chris wants to take you to a
limited-release movie that you’ve been wanting to see
for months at the mall near where Chris lives. You
know the movie won’t be shown in a closer theater. By
the time the movie would be over, it would be past
your curfew, and by the time you would get home, you
would be about an hour past your curfew. You need to
ask your parents’ permission to go with Chris, and
although they like Chris, you know they are very strict
when it comes to curfew. How are you going to
convince them to let you go to this movie?
How would you respond to this situation
– from YOUR point of view?
Consider this from the OPPOSING
viewpoint – What arguments might there
be AGAINST your point of view, from the
PARENT perspective?
• Does this sound like
conversations you have
had with your parents?
• Can you change your
parents’ view with a
counterargument?
Film clip
Was this an effective argument???
With a partner
 Get
 Find
 One
a topic
your partner
of you is “pro” / one is
“con”
Now…take a few
minutes and
write YOUR side
of the argument
 Exchange
arguments
 Read
your partner’s
argument
 Summarize
what he/she is
saying in ONE sentence

Give the paper back to the original
writer

Read the summaries –

Do they accurately summarize the
argument?

If not, make the necessary corrections
to clarify.
Pick a side!
Write a Rogerian argument
1. Introduction
-- Introduce the issue/topic
-- Demonstrate that you
understand the other side of
the argument
2. Statement summarizing
the opponent’s position
and how it is valid
– evidence?
– examples?
3. Restate the writer’s
position
-- How is it valid?
-- Evidence?
-- Examples?
4. State HOW the opponent’s
would BENEFIT if he adapted
to at least a part of your
claim/argument/position
-- examples?
-- evidence?