Rogerian Argument

Don’t hate on your audience.

Rogerian “Argument”

Rogerian is one of THREE “models” of

argument. (The others are Classical
and Toulmin, & we will cover them
later)
Ideas come from Carl Rogers, a
psychologist.
“Real communication occurs when
we listen with understanding” – Carl
Rogers
 You don’t pick fights with your
audience!
The Rogerian model acknowledges the
audience’s point of view or opinions before
presenting the author’s different or opposing
viewpoint.
A Rogerian arguments supports the
central argument with tact and without
outright attacking the audience’s
preconceived notions.
Argument v. Persuasion

Definitions tend to be “academic”

Some say argument is purely logical,
and persuasion contains emotional
appeals.
ARGUMENT = discover a truth or
conviction
PERSUASION = seeks to change a
point of view or ACT on a conviction
Rogerian Argument
 Seeks to establish trust and find
COMMON GROUND.
 Assume that audience &/or opposition is
made up of REASONABLE people. This is,
unfortunately, not always true. Therefore,
Rogerian argument is not always the best
approach.
 Seeks to UNDERSTAND the point of view
of those with whom they disagree
To start a DIALOGUE or DISCOURSE
BOTH/AND instead of EITHER/OR
WIN/WIN instead of WIN/LOSE
Courtroom Example: When you
would NOT use Rogerian
techniques…

Prosecution and defense argue with EACH

OTHER - but the AUDIENCE is really the
Judge and jury. In this case, there is no
need to be nice or concede ANY points to
the opposition. Your goal is to WIN!!
Same thing with DEBATES:

The OPPONENT is not the

AUDIENCE, so you might
not see many Rogerian
techniques when you watch
debates! The goal is to WIN or
Dominate!
Things that happen in a Rogerian
Argument
 Speaker/writer shows
(sympathetic)
understanding to the
opposition.
 Speaker/writer
demonstrates that
those who disagree
with them are still
reasonable, intelligent
people of good will
(not fools and idiots).
 Speaker/writer is non-
confrontational, even
friendly (not “my way
or the highway”).
How to use Rogerian Argument
While I am NOT a fan of rigidly structured essays,
here is an example of what a Rogerian argument
might look like:
 Intro
 Summary of Opposing Views*
 Statement of Understanding*
 Statement of Your position
 Statement of Contexts
 Statement of Benefits
 Important parts/pose a solution – here is where
you “concede” something to the opposing side
and acknowledge that others who think
differently from you are also intelligent,
reasonable people.
“The first duty of a wise advocate is to
convince his opponents that he
understands their arguments, and
sympathizes with their just feelings.” –
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (English
Romantic Poet)