AIR: Lesson - Rogerian Argument

Rogerian Argument

The Rogerian Method

The Rogerian Method is another way that speakers structure their argument. Remember the Toulmin method and how it includes a qualifier and rebuttal? The qualifier, if you recall, allows the speaker to use qualifying terms such as some, most, or often instead of absolutes such as always or never. Likewise, the rebuttal allows the speaker to address the side of the opposition.

Both the qualifier and the rebuttal foster a sense of ethos, which is important when it comes to establishing credibility and likability in an argument. In a sense, the Rogerian Method places ethos at its core. Simply stated, the Rogerian Method seeks to establish a middle ground between two opposing sides in an argument. Like the Toulmin Method, the Rogerian way of argumentation contains multiple components:

  • Introduction: lays out the problem or issue being discussed
  • Establishing Opposition: acknowledges the opposition to your claim and demonstrates an understanding of the opposing viewpoint
  • Establishing Your View: explains your perspective or viewpoint while providing support and evidence
  • Offering Compromise: provides a solution in which both you and the opponent(s) will benefit
  • Creating Common Ground: stating and explaining the parts of the issue with which you and your opponent(s) agree

These five parts all work to create a sense of focus on the Main Argument. You can picture it like this:

The Rogerian Method. Introduction, establish opposition/your view, offer compromise, common ground: main argument.

 

The Goal of the Rogerian Method

Many argue that the Rogerian method should be utilized when a controversial topic has been reduced to only 2-3 main perspectives. Because of the method’s focus on establishing common ground, this method is the optimal way to overcome controversial issues and break down barriers in dialogue.

An Example of the Rogerian Method

The following presentation contains an essay written using the Rogerian Method. Each slide provides insights in the method, so read through the essay and the explanations carefully.

Download a printable version of the Rogerian Method Example Presentation Links to an external site..

Presentation Citation - Rogerian Argument: Explanation and Example by https://englishcomposition.org/ Links to an external site. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License Links to an external site.. Based on a work at https://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/organizing-your-argument/organizing-your-argument-rogerian/ Links to an external site.. Note: original essay citations were in APA format, but were converted to MLA for the sake of consistency.

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