ENG 1027: Rogerian Letter
Rogerian Argument was developed from the techniques of psychotherapist Carl Rogers and focuses on making a party feel heard and understood.
Rogerian argument is all about building common ground and proposing a compromise.
For this assignment you are to focus on an argument/disagreement that you've had with someone recently (within the last year) and write a letter to them that builds common ground with them concerning the disagreement and then proposes a compromise.
Purpose
The purpose of your letter is to build common ground with a person with whom you disagree and then propose a compromise that your audience would seriously consider. In doing so, you are to follow the steps of Rogerian Argument in this order: 1) Make the party feel heard and understood. 2) State your own position 3) Build common ground 4) Propose a compromise
Audience
You are to write the letter to someone with whom you've had a disagreement. The level/intensity of disagreement isn't necessarily important. What does matter is that you've had conflict with the individual.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
- This is a FORMAL LETTER with a formal structure, NOT a freewrite. There should be paragraphs that focus on one idea at a time.
- In regard to organization, think of your letter as having phases: 1) Make the party feel heard and understood. 2) State your own position 3) Build common ground 4) Propose a compromise. A reader should be able to clearly draw a line across the page where one phase begins and ends.
- Pay close attention to diction (word choice). The goal is effective communication, to make the reader feel seen and heard, or the reader to continue to turn the page, and to find compromise with them. Inflamatory language will not accomplish this.
- Make use of transitional words and phrases as needed. Carefully guide your reader through each phase of your argument.
Format
Your essay should be a minimum of 2 FULL pages - 3 FULL pages, and you must present the letter in a traditional letter format (Dear _____, the letter, Sincerely). It should also be typed, double spaced, with one-inch margins all around, Times New Roman Font, & 12 pt.
Your grade for this essay will be determined as follows:
Total Possible Points: 40/
Focus (11 points): Does letter have a clear purpose? Does it make a serious attempt at making the reader feel understood, at finding common ground, and proposing an acceptable compromise?
Development (11 points): Are there detailed descriptions throughout the letter that effectively communicate each point? Writer makes a clear case for their position while also
using the tenets of the rhetorical triangle to build a strong argument relationship with audience to demonstrate they are understood. Evidence for both sides of issue are clearly presented and commented upon and flawlessly integrated into letter. Writer effectively offers details for building common ground and proposes a compromise.
Organization (11 points): Do ideas and paragraphs proceed in logical and apparent sequence or pattern? Does writer use sufficient audience cues to let the reader know what has been discussed, what is being discussed, or what will be discussed? Does writer use attention-getting title and lead-in, paragraph hooks, transitional words and phrases? Does writer guide the reader from beginning to end using the steps of Rogerian Argument in the correct order?
Style (4 points): Is language clear direct and readable? Are sentences clear, concise, and easily read by intended audience? Is word choice appropriate for audience? Do sentences reveal and sustain appropriate voice and tone?
Mechanics (3 points): Are there obvious errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar? Are there patterns of error?
NO INVENTION WORK (-3 POINTS)
NO 1ST DRAFT ON DUE DATE (-3 POINTS)
NO PEER CRITIQUE (-3 POINTS)
NO REFLECTION (-3 POINTS)
NO PROCESS=NO GRADE
Grading scale:
A 36-40
B 32-35
C 28-31
D 24-27
F 0-23
