Consider This #1

1. Consider This #1 • Recall an argument in which you were the loser and someone else was the winner. What was the argument? How did it feel? What became of that relationship?

2. Consider This #2 • Recall an argument in which you were the winner and someone else was the loser. What was the argument? How did it feel? What became of that relationship?

3. Consider This #3 • Recall an argument in which you and another person/party came to a mutual agreement in which you were both satisfied. What was the argument? How did it feel? What became of that relationship?

4. Rogerian Argument English Composition Denise Hill Delta College 2011

5. Carl Rogers • Psychologist • 1902 – 1987 • Humanistic – client-centered approach • Phenomenological – “what is real” is not as important as “what we perceive or feel” in any situation • Win/Win • Win/Lose = Lose/Lose

6. empathic listening • Listen attentively • Refrain from passing judgment • Try to follow the other’s reasoning • Acknowledge the validity of the other’s viewpoint (if only from a limited perspective) • Avoid loaded or attacking language

7. building bridges • Places considerable weight on shared values, beliefs, and opinions (ideology) • "You win and I win too“ • Negotiation and mutual respect are valued • Particularly useful in psychological and emotional arguments, where pathos (emotion) and ethos (ethical/moral thinking) rather than logos (logic) and strict logic predominate

8. common ground • State respect for point(s) of other’s issue • Show appreciation for point(s) of other’s issue • Try to state the other’s side of the issue fairly and objectively • Other/audience will realize the writer/speaker is treating issue with respect

9. objective statement of yourown position • Avoid loaded and attacking language • Try not to imply that this position is somehow morally superior • Explain the contexts in which this position is valid • Explore how these contexts differ from the other’s

10. Remember Rasheed? Rasheed wants to go on a trip that will require he miss the final week of class. His PoliSci teacher has an exam and offers no make-ups. He would like her to allow him an exception to this policy.

11. Rasheed’s Rogerian Approach “I appreciate and have respected the policies you have for your class. I know we both value education a great deal. I plan someday to be a teacher and understand I will be faced with similar difficult situations like this one. This trip is a great opportunity for me, and I would like to know you support my participation in it.”

12. Empathic Listening Expressed:“I appreciate and have respected the policies you have for your class.” • Building Bridges: “I plan someday to be a teacher and understand I will be faced with similar difficult situations like this one.” • Common Ground: “I know we both value education a great deal.” • Objective Statement of Position: “This trip is a great opportunity for me, and I would like to know you support my participation in it. “