The Rogerian Argument: a form of argumentative writing that I have never been good at.

The Rogerian argument is a form of an argument that is far less aggressive and is where one takes both sides of a controversial argument, and has a knowledgable understanding of both viewpoints and tries to come up with a fair compromise and have the opposing party understand their side as well.

It has been said that this argument, being less aggressive, allows the reader to be less offended when reading the words of the author.

I know that in my case, I have been raised to be quite the opinionated person. I have strong views on how I think the world should work, and when I get my argument stuck in my head, it is quite the task to alter my views. Although, when I think about it...it does seem like a very good way to make your writing seem much more approachable and therefore making the writing seem much more appealing. :)

In my short time here on this earth, I have found the world to be more diverse than a crayon box. (obviously, couldn't find a better example) In the book it stated that the Rogerian argument is based on our diverse and complicated world. So, maybe this would actually be a good way to look at the world. Two sided, more than one option for the contemplation process.

Think about it, in society today there is no black and white; no right or wrong, not even any straight republicans or democrats. Everything in this world comes with shades of grey. Why shouldn't one's thinking process?

-maggie

In Martin Luther King's letter from Birmingham Jail, he puts forth a very persuasive argument to the clergymen who put forth a complaint upon his actions. In his argument King would use an argument thriving with pathos. This is a very common tactic with most argumentative writers.

I have found all of the commercials done by politicians and people of that nature to more often than not use a pathos based argument. When appealing to any sympathetic person's emotional nature, it is always a strong tactic to pull at their heartstrings. The clergymen were men of the church, therefore they deeply care of all of God's creatures correct? Well MLK new this, and acted upon it very well within his writing.

In order to get these men's attention, MLK appealed to their emotions by actively speaking of sob stories of his daughter being constantly confused and upset, and this argument really works in his case.

Any caring person would picture in their minds...a small child with tears welling up in her eyes...looking up at her father not understanding why the world is the way that it is. This visual image brings the reader to think...Why is the world this way? Make it STOP!

In argumentative writing, it is always important to know your audience; their moral beliefs, their caring nature, and what matters in general to them.

In King's letter from Birmingham jail, he did just that to the clergymen.

I do believe that his methods were prosperous, and it was very eloquently written.

-maggie