What is a Rogerian essay?
Many students find it difficult to present a controversial topic using a neutral language. The Rogerian essay presents issues from a different perspective mostly of someone you disagree with. A Rogerian essay is meant to help students understand issues from two different perspectives to come up with an agreeable solution. According to Carl Roger’s effort in describing human traits, a Rogerian essay is based on the assumption that the writer needs to acknowledge other varied views by enabling readers to see some valid points about an opposing view.
Rogers believed that when we apply Rogerian tactic, we should listen with understanding, meaning that people should try and understand other people’s view but also try and get the logic of the differences of opinion about what the people is saying concerning the issue being discussed. Rogerian argument is more of a negotiation method whereby shared goals are identified, but the opposing views are presented in an objective point to develop a common understanding. In summary this kind of essay focus on getting a common ground of two perspectives to develop an agreeable conclusion.
How to start a Rogerian essay
A good introduction needs to be well organized with the first sentence being a hook that grabs the reader’s attention followed by the problem description. The following part is some background information about the issue to be discussed and a thesis statement to support the main essay theme. The essay hook should draw the reader and make them continue reading the article. A good hook sentence can be in the form of a quote, rhetorical question, surprising facts or an appropriate statement that can act as a good attention grabber. The issue being discussed needs to contain two varied views to enable the audience to understand these views from the beginning.
A good essay introduction requires the author to point out the impact of the issue being discussed, the varied points and acknowledge some of the strengths of various arguments. The introductory paragraph should not present a specific position that would divide the reader and the writer instead, it should use a balanced approach in the introductory paragraph.
How to write main part of a Rogerian essay
The body of a Rogerian essay describes the issues using neutral language. The writer needs to represent the reader’s perspective accurately. In this section, the writer should not manipulate the readers but express the reader’s perspective of the problem. The writer needs to be committed by acknowledging the circumstances and context whereby reader’s perspective is compelling.
The next section, the writer presents his fair and accurate perspective of the problem, in this section, the author should be neutral and use clear language. The major factor is to present evidence that supports and develop the argument. In the essay body, the author states the opposing views accurately without biases to show that the author is capable of making a balanced judgment.
The body should present a statement of validity, meaning that the author needs to show he understands that in certain situations some of the opposing views are valid. When writing a Rogerian essay, the author acknowledges specific parts of the opposing views he feels are valid. When writing an essay, it is important to acknowledge the other side of the argument and find some value in other people’s arguments.
After informing the reader about the view other than his view, the next step is to present the author’s fair view by stating his position. The author describes the situation hoping that his views will be accepted showing that his position has merit within certain contexts. It is important that the author recognize the fact that people might not agree with his view.
How to conclude a Rogerian essay
An essay conclusion present the author has proposed solution, a good conclusion should make a good transition from the last body paragraph. The conclusive paragraph needs to end with a closing statement about the benefits of both sides of the issue but not the author presenting his preferred solution to the problem discussed. The conclusion should not conclude by showing that the author thesis is the better option but state that the author’s idea combined with other ideas presented will help in solving the essay.
Outline example
1. Introduction
- Explore the common ground
- A brief background of the topic.
- State the issue question set a neutral tone for further explanation
2. Essay body
- First paragraph explaining key supporting points on the issue
- Explain the supporting points for alternative position opposing the presented viewpoint.
- explain a balanced view of the issue by reviewing valid points from two different sides
3. Conclusion
- Describe a balanced and concise summary of the main points that represent the different sides of the argument
- Present a middle ground position by daring element from each position presented
- Reprise nature of the issues and present a shared position and the benefits of both sides.
