A consensual argument seeks and presents common ground.

Chapter 6: Using The Rogerian Method Of Argumentation

Introduction

This lesson introduces and explains the Rogerian strategy for writing essays, one

which attempts to persuade while stressing understanding and common ground. We often

think of debates in terms of pros and cons or like a court trial that emphasizes the

competition of two sides in the presentation of their arguments. The classical and Toulmin

argumentation strategies typically seek to win a debate through the presentation of a

persuasive argument.

However, many issues do not have a clear right or wrong side to them. Even if they

do, persuading an audience on the other side is difficult if not impossible if their side is

presented as the wrong one. Imagine, for instance, two spouses debating where to go for a

vacation. There is no right or wrong choice, and depicting one side or the other as such will

not be a very effective way to persuade the other spouse.

In 1951, Carl Rogers, a psychologist, put forth the theory that the primary reason

people had difficulty in resolving disputes is that the people were constantly evaluating each

other. The more deeply-held or emotional a belief, the more a person would be seeking to

judge and discredit another person's opposing statements, the result being a failure to truly

hear or understand those statements. Roger proposed as the solution first to try to

understand the other side and then to negotiate together to reach a consensus.

The Rogerian strategy of argumentation does not seek to win a debate but instead

seeks to find a win-win outcome. The purpose of Rogerian argumentation is to use common

ground to reach a consensus. Essentially, the Rogerian strategy is not arguing in support of

one side of an issue but acting as a mediator between two sides, seeking to negotiate to

find a common ground acceptable to both.

The Rogerian strategy is most effective for those issues that are highly emotional,

including many social and political problems, such as capital punishment, abortion, torture,

and many more. Such issues have few simple solutions to them, and asserting or implying

that the solution or answer is clear or obvious will actually make the argument seem biased

and less persuasive. Generally, people do not want to be told that a value or belief they hold

dear is just plain wrong.

The Rogerian strategy seeks to lessen the threatening aspect of the argument by

emphasizing the value of the opposition's side and motivations. People tend to respond

similarly to how they are treated, so if an argument doesn't seem to be attacking the other

side, the readers on the other side are less likely to be as critical in their attack on the

argument they are reading. The Rogerian strategy encourages the audience to be more open

to the argument being made because the writer has already demonstrated openness and

respect for the arguments on the other side of the issue.

The very idea that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion demonstrates the

need for Rogerian strategies of argumentation. The Rogerian strategy forces the writer to

consider the possibility that his or her side may not be absolutely right. In other words,

knowing that the argument is only the writer's opinion, the writer asserts that this opinion is

a right one to have on the matter, if not the only right one, and seeks to persuade the

audience also to accept the possibility that the writer's opinion is a right one, if not the only

right one. The following sections will help you better understand the process of creating a

Rogerian argument.

Organization

The Rogerian strategy assumes that the audience will be highly critical if not outright

hostile to the argument being presented. Readers with differing opinions from what they are

reading tend to be contentious, immediately challenging each and every assertion that they

find objectionable. Of course, readers should be critical in this way, but they should also be

open to the possibility of changing their minds.

The Rogerian strategy seeks to lead the reader gently to the conclusion of the

argument. Thus, the thesis is typically not explicitly stated in the introduction paragraph

where the reader might see it and immediately become defensive while reading the

following paragraphs. Instead, the Rogerian strategy begins objectively by stating the

problem and then appeals to the audience further by showing the benefits of the opposing

side. Only then are the reasons in support of the argument described, but before the

audience can become defensive, the common ground and higher interest that benefit both

sides are emphasized.

The Rogerian strategy will typically follow this pattern:

1.􀀃 Describe the problem

2.􀀃 Show understanding and value of opposing views

3.􀀃 Assert position

4.􀀃 Demonstrate common ground or higher interest

For example, look at the table below. This illustrates a discussion between two spouses

deciding where to go on vacation. One spouse seeks to persuade the other that Galveston is

a better vacation destination than Denver. The Rogerian argument might be organized like

this:

165 Effectiveness in Writing

Table 6.1: Rogerian Structure of a Spousal Vacation Discussion.

Parts of Rogerian

Structure

Example of the Part Part Explained

Describe the

Problem

Both trips cost roughly the

same, but we have enough

money in our savings for one.

You want to go hiking in the

mountains, which will require a

plane trip to Denver. I want to

visit family in Galveston, which

would be a ten-hour drive.

The problem has

objectively been

stated, focusing

only on the facts of

both trips.

Show

Understanding

and Value of

Opposing Views

The mountains are beautiful

this time of year, and we

haven't been hiking in a long

time, so it would be great to get

that kind of exercise. It would

also be nice to be alone

together for the vacation.

Appreciation is

demonstrated for

the value of a trip

to Denver for its

beauty, exercise,

and alone time.

Assert Position I haven't seen my family in a

few years, and my father is

getting on in age, so I don't

know how many more chances

we'll have to see him. We

would have time to visit the

beaches too.

Reasons

supporting a trip to

Galveston are

presented.

Demonstrate

Common Ground

or Higher Interest

We could take some nice hikes

on the beach, so we could have

some great opportunities for

exercise. We could also do

some camping for a day or two

to get some alone time or take

a few day trips to Houston. I

don’t know if I’ll get another

chance to see my family either.

Common ground is

demonstrated by

mentioning the

beauty of the

beaches, exercise

possibilities, and

the option for alone

time (the same

reasons given for

the trip to Denver).

The higher interest

of valuing family is

noted as well.

Note, that the Rogerian strategy emphasizes "common ground", which is distinct from

"middle ground" argumentation strategy, which emphasizes finding a compromise where

both sides have to give a little. For instance, a middle ground argument using this example

might be to suggest that the trip be split with one week in Denver and one week in

Galveston or to suggest that the trips be taken separately. (See the discussion of developing

a middle ground argument in Lesson 8.)

Describe the Problem

The introduction section of a Rogerian essay presents the problem in a fair and

objective way, often pointing out how everyone (the writer and reader) are affected by the

issue and should want to reach a resolution. Why is the issue significant? Why does it need

to be resolved? Such questions are answered in this section.

For issues that seem to be continually debated, like capital punishment or abortion,

this section is a good place to explain why the best we can hope for in such debates is to

reach some type of a consensus or agreement on one aspect of the matter if not the entire

matter. For example, if writing about the abortion debate, the first section might note that it

is impossible to know with any certainty exactly when life begins, but that we still can reach

agreement on the legal rights of parents in the decision making of a pregnant teenager.

It is advisable to present the issue as a problem to be solved together rather than as

a debate. Framing the issue as a question or as a problem to be solved invites the audience

to engage in the essay as an act of seeking a solution together rather than as a "debate".

For example:

Weak:

People against torture insist it violates human rights, but people supporting torture

insists it's a necessary tool to ensure people's safety.

Strong:

When it comes to the issue of torture, can we protect people's rights while also

ensuring their safety?

Both examples are objective and don't yet reveal the writer's side on the issue, but the

second example demonstrates that a shared larger goal between both sides is to protect

people's rights and ensure their safety, if doing both is possible. Here, and throughout the

essay, the writer should demonstrate as much respect as possible for the other side's goals

or values.

It's acceptable to reserve an outright statement of the thesis until later in the paper

since the purpose of this first section is only to describe the problem. Stating the thesis

outright might make the audience too defensive and not open to change. Writers who are

new to the Rogerian approach, however, should put the thesis statement in the introduction

paragraph so that the writers, and readers, are clear about the main idea. When using the

Rogerian approach, it can easily become a report about the beliefs of both sides, so a writer

developing experience with the Rogerian strategy should put the thesis in the introduction to

clarify that the essay will take a position on the issue.

Show Understanding and Value of Opposing Views

Next, present as fairly and objectively as possible the views of the other side. Doing

so demonstrates that the issue has been fully considered without prejudice. It builds

goodwill with the audience. Readers are more likely to trust writers who show respect for

others' views, even when disagreeing with those views.

Explain which parts of the opposing views are strong and why. What are the

underlying good values that support these views? For example:

Weak:

Many argue torture violates the rights of those terrorists who are tortured.

Strong:

Of course we must respect the rights of all people, including terrorists.

The weak example here objectively states the value embraced by the other side. However,

the strong example embraces that value. The audience will be more likely to believe this

writer's argument because the writer has demonstrated a shared value, a shared respect for

the rights of all people.

Assert Position

After the audience sees that the writer understands and respects their opposing

views, they will be more willing to listen to the writer's side and similarly attempt to

understand and respect the argument being presented. This section presents the writer's

side of the issue.

Be careful not to "come out swinging" in this section though! Remember the goal is

not to "beat" the audience and win the debate; the goal is still to work with the audience to

negotiate to a consensus together. Show the validity of the argument but continue to use

respectful, neutral language. For example:

Weak:

Torture absolutely must be allowed as the only way to protect innocent lives.

Strong:

Torture can be justifiable in situations where innocent lives are directly at stake.

The weak version uses language that might make the audience defensive, such as

"absolutely" and "only". The strong version continues the strategy of negotiating together to

reach a consensus by suggesting only that torture "can be" allowed when lives are "directly"

169 Effectiveness in Writing

threatened. Followed with good reasons showing situations when lives really have been

directly threatened and only suggesting that torture is one possible way to protect those

lives, the audience will be more likely to accept that torture just might be a good solution, if

not the only solution, to protect those lives.

This section might note limitations to the argument, further demonstrating that the

writer has considered the issue as fairly as possible. For example:

Weak:

We can trust our law enforcement to use torture only when it is necessary.

Strong:

There may be some members in law enforcement who might use torture

unnecessarily, but safeguards can be put in place to ensure that it is used only when

all other options have failed and only when lives are in immediate danger.

The weak example opens the door for an immediate objection not just to the idea of using

torture but to how torture would be used. The strong example acknowledges the possible

problem of using torture when it is not warranted and offers a solution. The audience may

still be convinced that torture can be a justified in some situations if these safeguards exist

to prevent its abuse.

Remember, the Rogerian strategy does not attempt to persuade the audience to

accept the argument absolutely but to accept that the argument is a valid one at least under

certain circumstances.

Demonstrate Common Ground or Higher Interest

Finally, close with a focus on finding a common ground or calling for a higher interest

or goal. Use this section not to ask the readers to give up their side, but to ask the readers to

come together on the common ground.

Identify the goals and values that the opposition has in support of their side and

show how those goals and values might be accomplished on your side as well. What shared

values are found on the common ground? How might those values be respected by both

sides in some way? For example:

Weak:

An innocent person's life is much more important than the rights of a terrorist.

Strong:

If a choice must be made between an innocent person's life and the rights of a

terrorist, then torture may be our only option.

The weak example asks the reader to give up the value of human rights for the terrorist,

while the strong example respects the value of those rights, but asserts that they may have

to be violated in some extreme circumstances to protect the lives of other people. The

strong example emphasizes the higher interest of protecting life and the common ground of

respect for human rights and people's lives.

This section might also be used to describe situations where the solution would work

while acknowledging that there may be other situations when the solution might not be the

best. Thus, the audience is persuaded to accept that the solution is a good one, at least in

some contexts. For example:

Weak:

The terrorists' choice to threaten others has caused them to give up their rights, so it

is perfectly justifiable to violate their rights to protect others.

Strong:

Very few situations exist when lives are directly threatened, and only in those

situations can torture be justified as a way to protect innocent lives.

The weak example asserts a belief that the audience might find objectionable and debate,

but the strong example asserts that the argument in support of torture exists primarily for

the extreme situations when lives are directly threatened, a proposition the audience may be

much more willing to accept as true.

Writing A Rogerian Argument

______________All writing requires careful audience analysis to be effective, but the nature of the

Rogerian strategy as negotiation between two sides makes such audience analysis even

more important. What do the readers likely already know about the topic? What are their

likely fears or objections? Why would they likely feel one side is right or wrong? What values

or goals are shared with the audience?

When preparing a Rogerian argument, it might help to write a paragraph, outline, or a

brief draft of an essay from the opposing side of the issue. Pretend, for a moment, that you

are your opponent. How would you write the essay in support of the other side? Then, review