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
 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

• 1. Introduction: Should students wear uniforms?

 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

• 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.
 COMPONENT 3: STATEMENT OF
UNDERSTANDING
• Explain which parts of the opposing viewpoint with
which you agree
• Explain conditions under which the opposing idea is
right

• 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.
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

• 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.
 COMPONENT 5: STATEMENT OF
CONTEXTS
• Elaborate on why your position also make sense
• Provide convincing evidence and sound reasoning
• Try to persuade your readers that your idea is better than
the opposing idea

• 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.
 COMPONENT 6: STATEMENT OF
BENEFITS
• Summarise your position
• Show how your position benefits your audience
• Appeal to your audience’s self-interest

• 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.
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.
 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.