Structuring and Analyzing Arguments: The Rogerian Model

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Structuring and Analyzing Arguments The
Rogerian Model
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Rogerian Model

• Developed by psychologist Carl Rogers (also in
  the 50s)
• Emphasizes problem-solving and/or coming to
  consensus
• Unlike in Classical argument, is not an argument
  to win instead, emphasizes a win-win solution
  benefiting both parties
• Useful in psychological and emotional arguments,
  where pathos and ethos dominate.

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Benefits of Rogerian Argument

• Allows the author to appear open-minded or even
  objective
• Appropriate in contexts where you need to
  convince a resistant opponent to at least respect
  your views

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Rogerian ArgumentsStructure

• Introduction statement of problem to be solved
  or question to be answered
• Summary of Opposing Views described using a
  seemingly objective persona
• Statement of Understanding concedes
  circumstances under which opposing views might be
  valid
• Statement of Your Position
• Statement of Contexts describes contexts in
  which your position applies/works well
• Statement of Benefits appeals to self-interest
  of readers who may not yet agree with you
  demonstrates how your position benefits them

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The Rogerian Approach to Argument

• The Rogerian approach tries to find mutually
  acceptable solutions to problems using the
  following techniques
• Seeking common ground
• Building trust
• Reducing threat

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• The writer makes every effort to avoid
  confrontation. The writer does this by giving as
  much credit as possible to the opponents
  counter-arguments, rather than simply dismissing
  these counter-arguments outright. If opponents
  believe that their arguments are being understood
  and taken seriously, they will be more open to
  listening to the writers position.

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How does King use the Rogerian approach in his
letter?

• My Dear Fellow Clergymen
• While confined here in Birmingham city jail, I
  came across your recent statement calling my
  present activities "unwise and untimely."...Since
  I feel that you are men of genuine good will and
  that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I
  want to try to answer your statement in what I
  hope will be patient and reasonable in terms.
• I think I should indicate why I am here in
  Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the
  view which argues against "outsiders coming
  in."...I, along with several members of my staff,
  am here because I was invited here.  I am here
  because I have organizational ties here.

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But more basically, I am in Birmingham because
injustice is here.  Just as the prophets of the
eighth century B.C. left their villages and
carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond
the boundaries of their home towns, and just as
the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and
carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far
corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I
compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond
my own home town.  Like Paul, I must constantly
respond to the Macedonian call for aid. Martin
Luther King, Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
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How does King use the Rogerian approach in his
letter?

• Builds trust Dear Fellow Clergymen
• King credits the men with being men of genuine
  good will whose arguments are sincerely set
  forth
• King references biblical figures who would be
  familiar to the clergyman