ENGL 1302 Oberle

Research-Based Rogerian Argument Assignment: 

For paper #4, you will be writing a grammatically correct, clearly organized essay that uses Rogerian Argument to explore and then state a position on a controversial social, ethical, intellectual, or historical issue. As a writer, your reason for creating this paper is to persuade your readers to compromise and/or change their position so that they agree (at least in some ways) with your position.

In following Rogerian Argument, your paper, in the following order, should:

Introduction

1. Begin with an introduction that establishes why your topic is important historically, ethically, socially, or intellectually (in other words, establish why a reader should be interested in your topic and how this topic affects people in general, no matter what their particular opinions on the topic might be). At this point in the paper, you are not yet stating your own opinion on the topic; you are simply explaining why the topic is an important one.

Body Paragraphs

2. In one or more paragraphs, explore and discuss the beliefs and ideas related to the most important opposing point of view to your own opinion. In other words, explain the most significant reason why some people disagree with your point of view. Remember that, in this portion of the paper, you are not disproving or disagreeing with the opposing point of view. You are also not yet stating your own opinion. Instead, you are simply explaining, in a fair and non-biased manner, what the opposing point of view believes.

3. In one or more paragraphs, explain what might be valid about the opposing point of view’s beliefs. Explain, for example, under what circumstances the opposing point of view makes the most sense. Again, remember that, in this portion of the paper, you are not disproving or disagreeing with the opposing point of view. You are also not yet stating your own opinion. Instead, you are simply explaining, in a fair and non-biased manner, under what conditions the opposing point of view has the most valid and useful beliefs.

4. In one or more paragraphs, state your own opinion on the issue, explaining what your position shares in common, in terms of values and goals, with the opposing point of view. Remember that, instead of arguing that your opinion is better or more correct than the opposing point of view, you are seeking to establish common ground. Demonstrating understanding of the opposing point of view, you are seeking to explain the values and goals that both points of view (yours and the opposition’s) share.

5. In one or more paragraphs, explain under what conditions your own point of view makes the most sense. This is where your essay’s thesis will become more apparent; at this point, you should state your opinion on the issue being discussed. You should also state and fully explain the reasons that support this opinion

6. In one or more paragraphs, offer a compromise with the opposing point of view. If your beliefs and the beliefs of the opposing point of view can be reconciled in some way, or if you can offer a fair compromise or an alternative between your beliefs and the beliefs of the opposition, then you should explain this resolution, focusing on why this resolution will be mutually beneficial for both sides. If absolutely no reconciliation, compromise, or alternative is possible, then you should fairly and respectfully explain why the best solution is for the opposition to accept your point of view.
 

Conclusion

7. In the concluding paragraph, state your thesis, not only expressing your opinion and summarizing the reasons that support this opinion but also reiterating how the opposing point of view will benefit from compromising with (or agreeing with at least portions of) your position. As you close the paper, leave readers with a reason to care about the issue you have just discussed.