The Rogerian strategy is also known as empathic listening, Rogerian persuasion, Rogerian argumentation and Rogerian rhetoric. It is a negotiating strategy that one can use to create common or middle ground while still expressing one’s position. Rogerian model of argument starts by assuming that a willing reader and writer can find a common or middle ground. It does not promote an adversarial relationship that classical or traditional arguments generally build up between writer and reader, however, it assumes that is writer and reader can both find a middle ground about an issue, they are more likely to solve the issue. Based on these assumptions, it establishes along quite distinct lines than a classical argument often does.
This model was adapted from American psychologist Carl Rogers’ work by the composition scholars Kenneth Pike, Alton Becker and Richard Young in the Rhetoric textbook: “Discovery and Change (1970).” This method is effective particularly when highly controversial problems are being addressed where both individuals may have a tendency to be emotional. To avoid slinging false claims or insults, the method can aid to come to a middle ground or at least have mutual respect for opinions of each other even if the two will never agree fully to other’s opinion.
Goals of Rogerian Strategy
The aim of Rogerian argument is to create a conducive situation to cooperation this involves changes in both one’s image and his/her opponent’s image. When a writer uses this strategy, he/she attempts (1) to convey to a reader that he/she is comprehended (2) to depict the place within that he/she believes the position of the reader to be valid, and (3) to convince him/her to believe that he/she share similar aspirations and moral qualities with the writer. These are only tasks of the Rogerian argument model. It also has no conventional structure, literally the strategy user deliberately conventional persuasive techniques and structures because these items tend to produce a sense of threat which the writer is precisely seeking to overcome.
Format of the Rogerian Strategy
I. Introduction: The writer presents the issue, literally pointing out how the reader and writer are affected by the issue. It involves addressing the issue at hand by identifying the source of the conflict.
II. The opposing position fair statement: Identification of one’s overarching component view. The goal is to persuade the reader that the one comprehends their perspective by describing the position in an idea that is recognized as accurate and fair.
III. Opponent’s View Validation: This where the writer points out the reasons why the view of the opponent is logical. It acts as a way of showing respect to understanding by stating it as it is and how you reflect why a person could think or feel. The writer simply tries to convince the readers that he comprehends by suggesting that in specific contexts, it has validity.
IV. Own Position Fair Statement: This is where the writer politely shifts to propose his/her view on the matter. The writer’s immediate aim is to get readers to comprehend, to reciprocate the writer’s position thoroughly and fairly as you have comprehended theirs.
V. Validation of your Position: it involves the writer trying to convince readers to look at the issue from new perspectives, therefore, seeing it in previously ignored contexts.
VI. Back-and-Forth Arguments: This is only if the issue is complex, so the writer breaks down the arguments into segments, then moves between the reader’s and writer sub-arguments back and forth while validating their points by showing with convincing evidence that the writer’s point is strong.
VII. Benefits of the writer’s position: As you finalize, summarize your position as the writer, moving your reader towards the reasons why that position is beneficial.
Rogerian approach literally downplays the emotional in rationale’s favor so that individuals with good will can solve common issues. However no argument, Rogerian or others will be successful unless the writer comprehends the reader. It is particularly audience analysis dependent because the writer must present fair, accurate and clear reader’s perspective.