DF 7: Sample Student Persuasive Essays

In addition to the reading in your textbook (pages 391-405), this page provides information about Rogerian Argument.

Rogerian Argument History: Rogerian argument evolved from techniques originally adapted by Carol Rogers. Rogers was well known for the empathetic listening techniques he used in psychological counseling. He later became interested in how these same techniques could be used to improve communication in other difficult, emotionally charged situations (like when an issue is being hotly debated). Richard Young, and his colleagues Alton Becker and Kenneth Pike, built on Roger’s ideas to formulate Rogerian argument, a method for helping people in difficult situations make connections, create common ground, and understand one another. The object was to avoid undue conflict or, even worse, a mutual standoff.

The most important features of Rogerian argument is listening

with empathy and without judgment

Rogers says that people usually listen judgmentally. They are eager to jump in, point out what is right or wrong, and make corrections or refutations without fully examining the other side of the argument.

To write Rogerian argument, proceed in the following 4 phases:

1. Introduce the issue and shows that the other side of the issue is understood.

2. Show in which context and under what conditions the other side may be

3. State your own position, including the context in which his/her position is valid.

4. State how the other side of the issue would benefit if it adopt the elements of the your position. An attempt is finally made to show that the two positions complement each other and that each supplies what the other lacks.

Important! For your persuasive research essay, you are only required to come up with one full paragraph that looks at the other side of your position on your issue. You don’t have to use all the elements of Rogerian argument. Please note, though, that it is very useful for establishing and sustaining an excellent tone and for cleverly working in that paragraph or more about the “other side” of the issue. And, Rogerian Argument promotes critical thinking!

The “Dear Mom” letter below shows many examples of Rogerian argument. Read through it and see if you can determine where Taryn is employing Rogerian argument and how her refutation includes a solution for everyone in her audience (which includes Taryn and her parents).

Dear Mom,

I wanted to write you a letter regarding the conversation that we had yesterday. You said that you wanted me to do one of three things: move home, transfer to a cheaper complex, or move into the dorms. I understand that you believe these options would allow me to work less and save more money in order to concentrate on my studies. You think that this would be financially simpler for you and for me and much less stressful for me.

I understand the logic behind your position in that the whole financial situation would be easier if I were living at home. First of all, we would not have as many expenses. Living at home would eliminate rent payments, cable bills, and electricity bills, but it would not eliminate phone bills, insurance bills, gas bills, or personal items. This would allow me to take some of the money that I am earning now and save it to give myself a strong financial foundation as I become more independent in the future. If I did not have a job and were under a lot of stress, I could see how it would make sense to move back home. If safety were not an issue, I could see how it would save me money to move to a cheaper apartment complex. Also, moving into a cheaper apartment complex could eliminate worries and the need for a roommate. For example, I have a roommate now, and I have to worry about whether or not she will pay her share of the bills on time or whether I will have to cover for her until she has the money. Now, if I were going away to school, I could see the advantages of living in the dorms. This would include not having to worry about the bills, meeting more people from school, and entering all of the social aspects of living on campus. It is also safer to live in a well-monitored environment. I see the ways your points are valid, so let us discuss those points and work together to find a good solution for both of us.

I believe that staying in school while working part-time in order to live in this complex is showing responsibility on my part. A big part of this for me is pride. I want to be able to prove to you and dad that I can do it on my own with as minimal help from you as possible. Not only is having this independence important to me, but it also helps me learn about life through experience. To me, independence is learning to handle being responsible for myself and my actions, in which I figure out how to decide what to do, when to do it, and when to buckle down. Taking things into my hands and making sure that everything that needs to get done gets done is a responsibility that I have learned how to prioritize. Now, in having this independence and showing my responsibility by keeping up with paying the bills on time (cable, phone, rent, and electricity) and getting my schoolwork for all of my four classes (Music Appreciation, Political Science, Psychology, and English), I am building up my credit and learning self-discipline. By self-discipline I mean teaching myself what is important to me and making sure I keep up with the work and reading in my classes. I pay $530 per month for rent in my apartment complex, and in comparison to some that are $495 per month all bills paid, I may not be in a cheap complex, but I am in a safe complex. When a young woman lives alone, safety is essential. It is a well-known fact that the cheaper the area of the apartment complex, the more prevalent the crime.

Since I am a full-time student and I get financial assistance from you and Dad, I can work apart-time and afford my apartment. If I were to move back home, I would not get the financial support from you and Dad. So, I would still have to work the same number of hours in order to have any money because the only thing that I would not have to worry about financially would be rent. Although this offers less financial stress for you, it increases personal and operational stress between us. So, if we can keep our minds open, we can see how our points complement each other.

Our points of view are similar because any way you go, I am saving the same amount of money. With your plan, I have less income with less bills and work part-time to get by. With my plan I work the same number of hours and I get financial help from you and Dad to help pay for the living expenses, but I have more expenses. So, you can see that either way I go to school, work, and save the same amount of money. Only if I stay in my apartment complex, I have all of the benefits, and I learn how to live independently. You also say you worry about my stress levels. It is true that living in an apartment is sometimes stressful. But it would be more stressful for both of us if I took the easy way and moved home. I could no longer be learning independence. To reassure you, I can call and visit more often, and I can report on the progress I am making in my classes. I think, however, that both of our needs will best be met if I stay in my apartment, learn to manage my time to keep up with school and work, learn to manage my money and pay the bills, and learn to live independently. Both of us share that final goal for me. So unless I prove myself to be irresponsible, please do not ask me to give up my independence and move home.

Love,

Taryn