good topics for a rogerian argument essay

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25 Good Rogerian Argument Topic Ideas

Rogerian argument is known to be an effective problem-solving method and is often written as an essay. Choosing a topic for it can thus be difficult. This Buzzle article gives you a list of Rogerian argument topics for you to write on.

Did You Know?

A psychologist named Carl Rogers created this form of argument. It is used in many philosophy models to solve problems considering both sides of the argument.

Rogerian argument is one of the three types of arguments. The other two are Toulmin argument and the Classical argument, which are actually contradictory to the Rogerian theory. Rogerian argument is an argument where the both sides win because of the careful approach and persuasion. It is mainly useful in psychological arguments, rather than in logical or scientific arguments. Such an argument is supposed to lead to an appropriate solution by listening to and considering both the sides. And writing it can be a task in itself because it shouldn’t offend the reader or the audience. It should start with a common ground between the two and then should move on to explain the writer’s perspective. The views and opinions should be supported with proper reasoning as to why you’re saying that.

Choosing a topic for the Rogerian argument is an important part hence, choose it wisely. Take a topic of your interest which will help you in doing in-depth research on it. Below are some topics that you could use.

Rogerian Argument Topics

● Should smoking be allowed in public places? ● Is our election process fair to everyone? ● Research on animals, should it be encouraged? ● The taxation system: fair or unfair? ● Is euthanasia fair or unfair? ● Should marijuana be used in medicine? ● Do the cameras enforced by law invade privacy? ● Handgun ownership: threat or right? ● Should the legal age for drinking be lowered or raised? ● What is the right age to vote? Should it be raised or lowered? ● Is Internet censorship required? ● Same-sex marriages should be legal/illegal ● The two-child policy: Right or wrong? ● Technology: Are we too dependent on it? ● The discrimination in hierarchy of jobs: good or bad? ● Are the famous people paid more than needed? ● Are scores in school enough to evaluate a child’s progress? ● Marketing to children: right or wrong? ● Fighting video games influence children: right or wrong? ● Are single-sex schools better than co-ed? ● Does religion cause war? ● Is cheating becoming common? ● Is torture acceptable? ● Is unemployment related to crimes? ● Is our educational system affordable?

Note: Rogerian argument topics can be controversial hence, take utmost care not to hurt someone’s feelings.

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50 Rogerian Essay Topics

Not all essay writing is designed to press the point of an argument with no regard for the other side. In fact, when it comes to writing a Rogerian essay, the goal is to find a way to bring both sides of an issue together. This essay writing style is named for American psychologist Carl Rogers, who developed a non-confrontational approach to counseling and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, this type of essay can be challenging to write for many reasons, including:

You have to be able to see both sides of the issue, even if you don’t agree with either.
You’re not trying to score points or win an argument; you’re looking for common ground.
It can be difficult to stay impartial.

For students struggling with this type of assignment, we’ve created a detailed guide breaking down the fundamentals of Rogerian essay writing and included 50 Rogerian essay topics to help get the creative juices flowing.

Fundamentals of Rogerian Essay Writing

A Rogerian essay’s tone and writing style will differ from the more aggressive style of an argumentative essay. In a Rogerian essay, the writer starts by acknowledging that there is another side to the issue at hand and that valid points can be made for it. They then build on this common ground to further explore the issue. This means that students will need to do more research and pay closer attention to the other side of the problem.

The fundamental structure of a Rogerian essay is:

Introduce the issue at hand, making sure to mention that there are two sides to it.
Acknowledge the validity of the other side’s argument while also stating your own position.
Present your solution to the issue, making sure that it considers both sides of the debate.
Discuss any potential objections to your solution and how you would address them.
Summarize your argument and reiterate that common ground has been found.

The Introduction: Start by Stating the Issue

Your Rogerian essay will begin with an introduction in which you state the issue at hand. It’s essential to make sure that you mention that there are two sides to this issue so that your audience knows what they’re getting into. For example, if you’re writing about whether or not the government should fund Planned Parenthood, you might start your essay with something like this:

“There has been much debate surrounding the government’s role in funding Planned Parenthood. Some argue that the government has a responsibility to provide this kind of health care to its citizens, while others believe that doing so would be an endorsement of abortion. In this essay, I will attempt to find common ground between these two sides and explore a potential solution to the issue.”

Presenting Both Sides of the Argument: The Body paragraphs

Now that you’ve stated the issue at hand and acknowledged that there are two sides, it’s time to start exploring these sides in more detail. In the body paragraphs of your Rogerian essay, you will want to:

Present each side of the issue fairly and impartially.
Discuss the points that each side is trying to make.
Point out any areas where the two sides agree with each other.
Explore the implications of each side’s position.

For example, if you’re writing about the government funding Planned Parenthood, your body paragraphs might look something like this:

“Those who argue in favor of government funding for Planned Parenthood typically do so because it is a health care provider and that all citizens have a right to health care. They also point out that Planned Parenthood offers a variety of services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings and STD testing. Those who oppose government funding for Planned Parenthood typically do so on the grounds that they believe it should not be an endorsement of abortion. They also argue that other health care providers can offer the same services as Planned Parenthood.”

“It is important to note that both sides of this debate agree that all citizens have a right to health care. They also both agree that Planned Parenthood offers valuable services. Where they disagree is on the question of whether or not the government should be involved in funding this organization.”

Finding a Solution: The Conclusion

In the conclusion of your Rogerian essay, you will want to:

Present your solution to the issue.
Discuss any possible objections to your solution and how you would address them.

For example, if you’re writing about government funding for Planned Parenthood, your conclusion might look something like this:

“I believe that the government should provide funding for Planned Parenthood. I think that this is the best solution because it would allow all citizens to have access to the health care services that they need. It would also be an endorsement of the important work that Planned Parenthood does. However, I recognize that some object to this solution because it would be an endorsement of abortion. To address this concern, I would point out that the government already funds various organizations that provide abortions, such as hospitals. I believe that funding Planned Parenthood would simply be an extension of this policy.”

With the wiring guide above, you should be feeling a little more confident in your ability to write a Rogerian essay. However, if you are struggling to come up with a topic, here are 50 potential Rogerian essay topics to get you started:

Rogerian Essay Topics About Social Issues

Should the government do more to combat climate change?
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Do gun laws need to be stricter?
Is police brutality a problem in the United States?
What can be done to reduce the number of mass shootings in the United States?
Do we need to reform our immigration system?
Does the welfare state do more harm than good?
Should the government do more to protect the environment?
Do zoos do more harm than good?
Is animal testing ethical?
Should the drinking age be lowered?

Rogerian Essay Topics About Education

Is homeschooling a viable form of education?
How can we improve the education system in the United States?
Is college worth the cost?
Should the government do more to make college affordable?
Should students be required to take physical education classes?
Are standardized tests an effective measure of student achievement?
Should the use of computers in classrooms be limited?
How can we ensure all students have access to quality education?
Should schools do more to teach students about different cultures?
Should creationism be taught in schools?

Rogerian Essay Topics About Technology

Is too much reliance on technology a bad thing?
Should we be concerned about the amount of time we spend on our phones?
How can we balance our use of technology and our need for face-to-face interaction?
Is social media making us more lonely?
Should there be limits on the use of social media?
Is the internet making us less intelligent?
How can we make sure our kids are using technology responsibly?
Should there be more regulation of the internet?
Is technology changing the way we think?

Rogerian Essay Topics About Health Care

Do we need to reform our healthcare system?
How can we ensure everyone has access to quality health care?
Should the government do more to combat the obesity epidemic?
What can be done to reduce the number of cases of heart disease?
How can we make sure our aging population is healthy and happy?
What can be done to reduce the number of suicides in the United States?
Should the government do more to combat mental health issues?
Is our current approach to treating addiction effective?
What can be done to reduce the number of cancer cases?
How can we improve the quality of care in nursing homes?

Rogerian Essay Topics About Family and Relationships

Is divorce a problem in the United States?
How can we make sure all families have access to quality child care?
What can be done to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies?
Should parents be more involved in their children’s education?
How can we make sure all children are raised in a loving home?
What can be done to reduce the number of divorces?
Should single parents receive more support from the government?
How can we ensure all families have access to quality health care?
What role does religion play in family life?
Are families getting stronger or weaker in the United States?

These 50 Rogerian essay topics should help you get started on your next essay. Whichever one you pick, be sure to argue both sides of the issue in a way that is fair, balanced, and respectful of your opponent’s point of view.

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415 Rogerian Essay Topics & Good Ideas

18 January 2024

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Rogerian essay topics often delve into contentious issues, encouraging a balanced exploration of divergent perspectives. They may explore hot-button issues, like climate change, gun control, or immigration, always prioritizing empathetic understanding over rigid debate. Other topics can touch on social phenomena, like the impact of digital devices on mental health or the influence of video games on youth behavior. Cultural topics, examining norms, biases, and the effects of globalization, are also prevalent. The main purpose of these topics is not only to assert one’s viewpoint as the absolute truth but also to engage in a respectful, enlightening exchange of ideas. In turn, a good Rogerian essay topic can also discuss the complexities of educational reforms, healthcare systems, or artificial intelligence ethics, always encouraging nuanced discussion that illuminates common ground and cultivates mutual respect amidst differing viewpoints.

Best Rogerian Essay Topics

Influence of Technology on Modern Education
Adoption of Vegan Diets for Healthier Living
Expanding Renewable Energy Use to Combat Climate Change
Growth of Cryptocurrency in the Global Economy
Comparing Traditional and Digital Art Mediums
Examining Pros and Cons of Distance Learning
Prospects of Space Exploration for Human Civilization
Analyzing Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics
Scrutinizing Surveillance: Privacy vs. Security
Proliferation of Artificial Intelligence: A Blessing or a Curse
Resolving Cultural Conflicts Through Mutual Understanding
Evaluating the Influence of Social Media on Mental Health
Evolving Gender Roles in Contemporary Society
Debating Efficacy of Vaccines vs. Natural Immunity
Envisioning Universal Basic Income’s Effect on Society
Deliberating Genetic Modification in Agriculture
Integration of Virtual Reality in Everyday Life
Advancing Stem Cell Research for Medical Treatment
Revisiting Historical Facts and Interpretations
Deciphering Complexities of Quantum Computing
Contemplating the Existence of Extraterrestrial Life
Transitioning Toward Circular Economy: A Sustainable Choice
Revolutionizing Healthcare With Telemedicine
Improving Public Transport for Carbon-Neutral Cities

Easy Rogerian Topics

Assessing Ethical Dimensions of Animal Testing
Exploring Opportunities and Risks of Gene Editing
Emphasizing Holistic Development in Education System
Regulating Online Censorship: Freedom vs. Security
Mitigating Challenges of the Aging Population
Pursuing Sustainability in Fashion Industry
Confronting Implications of Overpopulation
Navigating Through Mental Health Stigmas
Enhancing Sports Performance With Technology
Addressing Disparities in Global Wealth Distribution
Transforming Societies With Women’s Empowerment
Understanding Neuromarketing: Manipulation or Effective Strategy
Adapting to the Impact of Automation on the Workforce
Exploring Intersectionality in Social Justice Movements
Analyzing the Effects of Tourism on Local Cultures
Demystifying Myths of Nuclear Energy
Negotiating Ethical Boundaries of Cloning
Outlining the Role of Play in Child Development
Reforming Prison Systems for Better Rehabilitation
Reimagining Urban Planning for Climate Resilience
Deconstructing Stereotypes in Mass Media
Illuminating the Role of Meditation in Stress Management
Weighing Pros and Cons of Monarchy and Democracy
Probing Influence of Music on Cognitive Development
Balancing Nationalism and Globalization in Modern World
Overcoming Biases in Artificial Intelligence
Effects of Multilingualism on Cognitive Abilities
Evaluating the Impacts of Single-Use Plastics on the Environment
Necessity of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
Augmenting Reality: Pros and Cons of AR in Education

Interesting Rogerian Topics

Decoding the Influence of Parenting Styles on Child Behavior
Benefits and Risks of Genetically Modified Foods
Roles of Community Gardens in Urban Environments
Impact of Microplastics on Aquatic Ecosystems
Accessibility and Importance of Clean Water in Developing Nations
Enhancing Accessibility in Public Spaces for Disabled Individuals
Significance of Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation Efforts
Assessing the Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth
Potential of Vertical Farming in Urban Landscapes
Understanding the Phenomenon of Fast Fashion
Roles of Art Therapy in Mental Health Treatment
Influence of Binge-Watching on Social Behavior
Importance of Cybersecurity in the Digital Age
Roles of Music Therapy in Rehabilitation Programs
Impacts of Deforestation on Climate Change
Consequences of Child Labor on Society and Economy
Roles of Microfinance in Alleviating Poverty
Impacts of Gamification on Learning Outcomes
Importance of Data Privacy in the Internet Age
Influence of Classical Literature on Modern Society
Roles of Green Architecture in Sustainable Development
Decoding the Impact of Westernization on Non-Western Cultures
Evaluating the Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Business Success
Importance of Biodiversity Conservation for Human Survival
Roles of E-sports in Modern Entertainment Culture

Rogerian Argument Topics

Roles of Automation in Job Market Stability
Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: Pros and Cons
Adoption of Renewable Energy: A Solution to Climate Change
Universal Healthcare: Economic Burden or Moral Obligation?
Animal Rights in Industrialized Farming
Impacts of Video Games on Adolescent Behavior
GMO Foods: Threat or Solution to Global Hunger
Parental Involvement in Child’s Educational Success
Remote Work’s Effects on Employee Productivity
Zero-Waste Lifestyle: Sustainable or Unrealistic?
Homeschooling Versus Traditional Schooling
Death Penalty: A Necessary Deterrent or Inhumane Practice?
Influence of Violent Films on Society’s Aggression
Veganism as a Solution to Health and Environmental Concerns
Implications of Genetically Modified Organisms on Ecosystems
Capitalism Versus Socialism: Economic and Social Impacts
Gun Control: Safety Measures or Infringement on Rights?
Immigration Policies: National Security or Humanitarian Crisis?
Digital Privacy: Personal Protection or Hinderance to Law Enforcement?
Abortion Rights: Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?
Euthanasia: Compassionate Option or Ethical Dilemma?
Body Cameras on Police: Accountability or Invasion of Privacy?
Technological Dependency: Progress or Problem?

Rogerian Persuasive Topics

Exploring the Balance Between Privacy and National Security
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Education Quality
Advantages and Drawbacks of Autonomous Vehicles
Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Potential Consequences of Extensive Genetically Modified Food Consumption
Considerations Surrounding Physician-Assisted Suicide
Climate Change: Evaluating Its Anthropogenic Causes
Implications of Universal Basic Income Implementation
Potential Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
Digital Surveillance: Protection or Intrusion?
Animal Testing: Necessity vs. Cruelty
Impacts of Vegetarianism on Health and Environment
Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy: An Economic Perspective
Stem Cell Research: Balancing Ethics and Progress
Mandatory Vaccinations: Public Health vs. Personal Liberty
Space Exploration: Is It Worth the Investment?
Regulation of Cryptocurrency: Necessity or Hindrance?
Unregulated Internet: Freedom or Chaos?
Responsible Tourism: Balancing Local Culture and Economic Growth
Immigration Policies: Humanitarian Concerns and National Security
Human Cloning: Ethical Implications and Potential Benefits
Gun Control: Balancing Public Safety and Constitutional Rights

Rogerian Essay Topics on Social Issues

The Impact of Global Warming on Coastal Regions
Achieving Gender Parity in the Workplace
Overcoming Poverty: Empowering Individuals for Social Transformation
Enhancing Mental Health Support Systems Within Educational Institutions
Promoting Renewable Energy Adoption for a Sustainable Future
Nurturing Inclusive Learning Environments for Students With Disabilities
Combating Food Insecurity: Establishing Accessible Nutritional Programs
Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding in a Pluralistic Society
Promoting Ethical Practices in the Fashion and Apparel Industry
Resolving the Water Crisis: Sustainable Solutions for All Communities
Reducing Income Inequality Through Equitable Taxation Policies
Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Universal Internet Connectivity
Combating Human Trafficking: Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations
Addressing Affordable Housing for Every Citizen
Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights: Cultivating an Inclusive Society
Ensuring Access to Quality Healthcare in Underserved Areas
Preventing Cyberbullying: Fostering Safer Online Environments
Encouraging Responsible Consumption to Mitigate Climate Change
Improving Prison Rehabilitation Programs for Successful Reintegration
Combating Substance Abuse: Adopting Holistic Recovery Approaches
Focusing on Civic Education to Foster Active Citizenship
Understanding Small Enterprises for Economic Growth
Solving Gun Violence Through Comprehensive Firearms Regulation

Education Rogerian Essay Topics

Nurturing Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Education
Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity Within Educational Institutions
Cultivating Effective Teacher-Student Relationships for Academic Success
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Education
Empowering Students Through Student-Centered Learning Approaches
Enhancing Early Childhood Education for Lifelong Success
Addressing the Achievement Gap: Strategies for Equal Opportunities
Implementing Project-Based Learning for Real-World Applications
The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Educational Attainment
Rethinking Standardized Testing: Alternative Assessment Methods
Supporting Special Education Students: Individualized Approaches
The Influence of Arts Education on Overall Academic Performance
Integrating Multiculturalism in the Curriculum
Parental Involvement: A Key to Student Achievement
Promoting Environmental Awareness in Education for a Sustainable Future
Benefits of Physical Education in Holistic Development
Fostering Digital Literacy Skills for the 21st-Century Learner
Effects of Assignments on Student Learning and Well-Being
Early Intervention Programs: A Path to Educational Success
Addressing Learning Disabilities: Strategies for Support and Achievement
The Impact of Teacher Training and Professional Development
Building Resilience and Perseverance in Students for Academic Success
Promoting Global Citizenship in Education for a Connected World
The Role of Education in Cultivating Responsible Citizenship

Technology Rogerian Essay Topics

Enhancing Communication Through Social Media Platforms
The Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Harnessing Renewable Energy Sources for Sustainable Development
Analyzing the Role of Big Data in Healthcare
Implications of 3D Printing in Manufacturing
The Evolution of E-Commerce and Its Economic Effects
Psychological Effects of Video Games
Unleashing the Potential of Blockchain Technology
Robotics’ Roles in Enhancing Healthcare Services
Cybersecurity: Protecting Data in a Digitized World
Influence of Smart Devices on Human Behavior
Augmented Reality’s Use in Marketing and Advertising
Cloud Computing’s Impact on Business Operations
Ethical Considerations in Genetic Engineering
Artificial Intelligence’s Roles in Enhancing Education
Social Impacts of Online Streaming Platforms
Advancements in Nanotechnology and Their Applications
Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Integrating Wearable Technology in Healthcare
Future of Space Exploration and Colonization
Algorithms’ Role in Decision-Making Processes
Rise of Voice Assistants and Virtual Personalities
The Intersection of Technology and Sustainability
Exploring the Potential of Quantum Computing

Rogerian Essay Topics on Health Care

Promoting Healthy Aging and Longevity in the Elderly Population
Implementing Effective Strategies for Obesity Prevention and Management
The Importance of Patient-Centered Care in Healthcare Systems
Advancements in Precision Medicine and Personalized Healthcare
Strategies for Promoting Health Literacy among Patients
Ethical Considerations in Organ Transplantation and Allocation
Fostering Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Decision-Making
Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections Through Effective Measures
The Role of Nursing in Enhancing Quality Healthcare Delivery
Improving Palliative Care Services for Terminally Ill Patients
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Strategies for Pain Management
Social Determinants of Health: Implications for Healthcare Outcomes
Ensuring Health Equity in Access to Healthcare Services
Innovations in Remote Patient Monitoring Technology
Healthcare Policy: Ensuring Affordable and Accessible Care
Integrating Complementary and Alternative Approaches Into Healthcare
Ethical Considerations of Genetic Testing and Counseling in Healthcare
Public Health Initiatives: Promoting Disease Prevention and Well-Being
Promoting Health Literacy among Adolescent Populations
Enhancing Healthcare Workforce Diversity and Cultural Competence
Exploring the Global Impact of Medical Tourism on Healthcare Systems
Benefits and Challenges of Universal Healthcare Coverage

Rogerian Essay Topics About Family & Relationship

Building Trust and Trustworthiness in Intimate Relationships
Nurturing Emotional Intelligence for Healthier Family Dynamics
Fostering Mutual Respect in Parent-Child Relationships
Balancing Independence and Interdependence in Sibling Relationships
Promoting Equality and Gender Equity in Family Structures
Cultivating Empathy in Intergenerational Relationships
Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences Within Family Units
Enhancing Emotional Intimacy Through Active Listening in Romantic Relationships
Addressing Addiction and Its Impact on Family Dynamics
Understanding the Role of Boundaries in Healthy Family Relationships
Exploring the Impact of Divorce on Parent-Child Relationships
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Family Settings
Navigating Blended Families: Challenges and Solutions
Examining the Influence of Technology on Family Relationships
Exploring the Significance of Rituals and Traditions in Family Life
Supporting Aging Parents and Elderly Relatives With Empathy and Care
Nurturing Resilience in Children for Healthy Development
Examining the Effects of Domestic Violence on Family Dynamics
Supporting LGBTQ+ Family Members: Acceptance and Understanding
Promoting Positive Co-Parenting Strategies After Separation or Divorce
Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Teenagers’ Relationships With Family
Fostering Emotional Safety in Parenting Styles
Understanding the Role of Extended Family in Child Rearing
Embracing Work-Life Balance for Stronger Family Connections
Promoting Healthy Attachment in Parent-Child Relationships

Rogerian Essay Topics on Education Reforms

Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom
Addressing the Achievement Gap in Underprivileged Schools
Rethinking Standardized Testing in Educational Assessment
Supporting Teachers’ Professional Development and Well-Being
Integrating Technology for Effective Learning in Schools
Reducing Class Sizes for Improved Student Engagement
Strengthening Early Childhood Education Programs
Empowering Students’ Voices and Agency in Decision-Making
Enhancing Cultural Competence in the Curriculum
Promoting Environmental Education and Sustainability
Addressing Bullying and Promoting Safe School Environments
Reducing Homework Load for Student Well-Being
Improving School Infrastructure and Facilities
Implementing Comprehensive Sex Education in Schools
Encouraging Parental Involvement in Education
Bridging the Digital Divide in Underserved Communities
Promoting Multilingual Education for Language Diversity
Integrating Social and Emotional Learning in Schools
Supporting Gifted and Talented Education Programs
Strengthening Career Counseling and Guidance Services
Focusing on Teacher-Student Relationships for Academic Success
Promoting Financial Literacy Education in Schools
Fostering Global Citizenship Education for a Connected World
Addressing Mental Health in Schools Through Comprehensive Programs
Understanding Experiential Learning Opportunities for Students
Using Ethical Education for Responsible Citizenship

Globalization Rogerian Essay Topics

Ethical Dilemmas in a Globalized World
Effects of Global Economic Integration on Traditional Industries
Power Dynamics in the Era of Globalization
Globalization and the Spread of Western Ideals
Influence of Globalization on Education Systems
Rise of Multinational Corporations in a Globalized Economy
Sovereignty Challenges in the Context of Global Economic Integration
Government’s Roles in Regulating Global Trade
Addressing the Digital Divide in a Globalized Society
Cultural Homogenization and Global Economic Integration
Consumerism in the Age of Globalization
Globalization’s Impacts on Healthcare Systems
Language Shifts in a Globalized World
Globalization and Income Inequality
Transformation of Food Systems in a Globalized Economy
Globalization’s Influence on Entertainment and Media
Decline of Traditional Crafts in the Globalized Era
Globalization’s Contribution to Climate Change
Displacement of Indigenous Communities in a Globalized World
Development Challenges in the Era of Globalization
Gender Equality in the Globalized Society
Protecting Cultural Heritage in the Face of Globalization
Political Instability in the Context of Global Economic Integration

Rogerian Essay Topics About Gender & Sexuality

Evaluating the Effects of Gender-Based Violence on Society
Rethinking Traditional Gender Roles in the Workplace
Examining the Intersectionality of Gender and Race
Addressing the Challenges Faced by Transgender Individuals in Healthcare
The Importance of Inclusive Language in Promoting Gender Equality
Challenging Heteronormativity in Society
Examining the Influence of Religion on LGBTQ+ Acceptance
Understanding the Gender Pay Gap: Causes and Solutions
Effects of Gender Socialization on Children’s Development
Analyzing the Relationship Between Gender and Mental Health
The Role of Masculinity in Shaping Men’s Health Issues
Exploring Non-Binary Gender Identities and Experiences
Examining the Representation of LGBTQ+ Characters in Media
Promoting Supportive Environments for LGBTQ+ Youth
Rethinking Consent Education: A Gender-Inclusive Approach
Understanding the Stigma and Discrimination Faced by LGBTQ+ Seniors
Exploring Gendered Expectations in Romantic Relationships
Promoting Comprehensive Sexual Education for All Genders
The Impact of Gender-Based Expectations on Career Choices
Examining the History and Evolution of LGBTQ+ Rights Movements
The Intersection of Gender and Disability: Challenges and Advocacy
Analyzing the Role of Gender in Political Representation
Rethinking Gender Equality in Sports: Breaking Barriers
The Importance of Intersectional Approaches to Gender and Sexuality

Rogerian Essay Topics About Animal Rights

Animal Welfare in Scientific Research and Experimentation
The Moral Dilemma of Animal Agriculture
Animal Rights and the Ethics of Hunting
Animal-Assisted Therapy: Enhancing Human Well-Being With Animal Companions
Animal Genetic Engineering: Implications and Ethical Concerns
Ethical Fashion: Animal Rights and the Fur and Leather Industry
Cruelty-Free Cosmetics: Ensuring Ethical Standards in the Beauty Industry
Marine Parks and Animal Rights: Examining Captivity and Conservation
Indigenous Cultures and the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Animal Rights Activism: Strategies for Effective Advocacy
Responsible Pet Ownership: Promoting Animal Welfare and Rights
Responsible Wildlife Tourism: Respecting Animals in Their Natural Habitat
Endangered Species Conservation: Protecting Animals on the Brink
Animal Rights Laws: Challenges and the Need for Enforcement
Animal Rehabilitation: Providing Refuge and Care for Injured Animals
Ethics in Sports and Entertainment: The Use of Animals for Human Amusement
Advancements in Biomedical Research: Ethical Implications for Animal Subjects
Animal-Assisted Therapy: Harnessing the Healing Power of Animals
Traditional Entertainment vs. Animal Welfare: The Circus Industry Debate
Whaling Industry: Conservation Efforts and Ethical Dilemmas
Animal Sanctuaries: Rescuing and Protecting Vulnerable Animals
Animal Rights Organizations: Achievements and Ongoing Challenges
Ethical Considerations in Pharmaceutical Testing: The Welfare of Animal Subjects

Gun Control Rogerian Essay Topics

Exploring Alternative Approaches to Firearms Control
Ensuring Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety
Achieving a Balance: Individual Freedom and Gun Ownership
Psychological Factors and Firearm Ownership Regulations
Media’s Impacts on Public Perception of Guns
Education’s Roles in Preventing Gun Violence
Developing Comprehensive Background Check Systems
Community-Based Solutions for Firearms Control
Addressing Mental Health in Gun Violence Prevention
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Assault Weapons Bans
Firearms Ownership and Self-Defense in a Changing Society
Ethical Considerations in Policies on Firearms Control
Combating Illegal Firearms Trafficking
Enhancing Firearm Safety Measures and Responsible Storage
Cultural Perspectives on Firearms Control and Ownership
Gun Control and Its Implications for Civil Liberties
Firearms Control as a Public Health Issue
Technological Advancements in Enhancing Gun Safety
Assessing the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Firearms Policies
International Perspectives on Firearms Control
Exploring the Link Between Gun Control and Domestic Violence
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Gun-Free Zones
Balancing State and Federal Authority in Firearm Regulations
Law Enforcement’s Roles in Preventing Gun Violence
Historical Contexts and Legislation on Firearms Control
Youth Access to Firearms and Preventive Measures

Business Rogerian Essay Topics

Analyzing the Role of Leadership in Promoting Organizational Innovation
Exploring Sustainable Business Models for Environmental Conservation
Evaluating the Effects of Ethical Consumerism on Business Operations
Addressing the Gender Pay Gap in the Corporate Sector
Fostering Effective Communication Strategies in Virtual Work Environments
Examining the Benefits of Workplace Diversity for Business Performance
Enhancing Employee Engagement Through Empowerment and Inclusion
Implementing Green Initiatives for Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Efficiency
Promoting Work-Life Balance for Employee Well-Being and Productivity
Embracing Change Management for Successful Business Transformation
Explaining the Influence of E-Commerce on Traditional Retail Industries
The Role of Corporate Governance in Preventing Financial Fraud
Addressing the Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Developing Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
Evaluating the Implications of Data Privacy Regulations on Business Practices
Enhancing Customer Experience Through Personalization and Customization
Assessing the Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work Arrangements
The Impact of Globalization on Local Business Communities
Promoting Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Economic Growth
Understanding the Role of Corporate Culture in Organizational Success
Expanding on the Benefits of Cross-Functional Collaboration in Business
Focusing on the Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
Addressing the Role of Corporate Ethics in Building Trust With Stakeholders
Implementing Cybersecurity Measures to Protect Business Data

Rogerian Essay Topics About Culture & Society

Balancing Immigration Policies: Security and Compassion
Exploring Cultural Appropriation: Boundaries and Respect
Education’s Roles in Shaping Cultural Identity
Coexistence and Religious Freedom in Diverse Societies
Global Responsibility: Environmental Sustainability
Pop Culture’s Impacts on Societal Values
Combating Mental Health Stigma: Raising Awareness and Acceptance
Technological Advancements: Shaping Society’s Future
Multiculturalism and Integration: Challenges and Opportunities
Empowering Individuals Through Political Activism
Modern Society’s Evolving Family Structures
Art’s Roles in Reflecting and Shaping Culture
Navigating Media Bias in the Era of Misinformation
Cultural Identity in a Globalized World
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100+ Rogerian Essay Topics

The domain of essay writing is rich with various formats, each serving a unique purpose. One such fascinating and thoughtful style is the Rogerian essay, often considered a middle ground in arguments. Unlike traditional persuasive essays, Rogerian essays focus on acknowledging and understanding opposing views, creating a space for compromise and mutual understanding.

Table of Contents

What is a Rogerian Essay?

A Rogerian essay stems from the principles of psychologist Carl Rogers, the man behind the concept of ‘client-centered therapy.’ This essay style goes beyond the conventional win-lose argumentative strategies. Instead, it emphasizes understanding the opponent’s standpoint, recognizing its validity, and finding a common ground that allows for the reconciliation of opposing views. Essentially, the writer seeks a ‘win-win’ solution, nurturing empathy and cooperation rather than division and refutation.

Quick Guide: Choosing the Right Rogerian Essay Topic

Selecting an effective Rogerian essay topic is pivotal for the essay’s success. The key is finding a subject that represents genuinely differing perspectives, where common ground can be discovered. Here’s a quick guide:

Understand the Spectrum: Choose a topic with at least two clear, opposing viewpoints that are equally arguable.
Passion with Balance: Select an issue you are passionate about—but also willing to consider the opposing stance with empathy.
Complexity Matters: Opt for a topic complex enough to explore differing viewpoints yet not so polarized that finding common ground is impossible.
Research Potential: Ensure ample resources are available for research from both sides of the argument.
Relevance: Consider your audience and choose a relevant topic that resonates with them on a personal or societal level.

Compelling Rogerian Essay Topics Lists

Finding the right topic can be a journey. Below, we’ve compiled a list of intriguing topics to help you start:

Human Rights and Social Issues

The implications of same-sex marriages: societal viewpoints
Police brutality: Examining Systemic challenges and reforms
Capital punishment: ethical considerations versus societal security

Healthcare Debates

The vaccination debate: personal freedom and public health
Euthanasia: the right to die with dignity versus moral implications
Mental health: individual responsibility or societal issue?

Environmental Concerns

Climate change: economic advancement and environmental protection
Renewable energy: feasibility and economic implications
Animal rights: survival ethics versus humane treatment

Technology and Privacy

Internet censorship: security needs versus freedom of speech
Artificial intelligence: loss of jobs versus technological advancement
Data privacy: personal rights and national security concerns

Education Discourses

Standardized testing: measurement of ability or performance pressure?
Online education: the future of learning or an ineffective substitute?
College tuition: free education versus quality and value

Political and Economic Debates

Immigration policies: human rights and national boundaries
Globalization: cultural exchange versus national identity erosion
Universal basic income: economic empowerment or dependency?

Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

Gun control: individual rights versus public safety
Abortion: women’s rights versus ethical implications
Legalization of marijuana: medical use versus potential abuse

Cultural and Society Interactions

Social media: connectivity benefits versus mental health issues
Body image: individual expression versus societal standards
Cultural appropriation: appreciation or exploitation?

Cultural Dynamics

Traditional vs. Western Medicine: Benefits and Limitations
Home-schooling vs. Traditional Education: A Balance of Freedom and Structure
Multilingualism: Cultural Preservation vs. Globalization
Religion in Schools: Ethical Learning vs. Forced Indoctrination
East vs. West Cultural Norms: Pros and Cons of Different Societal Values

Science and Nature

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Advancements in Agriculture vs. Natural Purity
Animal Experimentation: Scientific Progress vs. Animal Rights
Space Exploration: Pursuit of Knowledge vs. Earthly Investments
Stem Cell Research: Medical Breakthroughs vs. Ethical Concerns
Conservation vs. Development: Balancing Nature and Progress

Health and Lifestyle

Vegetarianism: Health Benefits vs. Ethical Implications
Yoga vs. Traditional Exercise: Mental Wellness and Physical Fitness
Organic vs. Conventional Farming: Health Benefits and Economic Viability
Meditation and Modern Stress: New Age Solution or Ancient Wisdom?
Holistic Healing vs. Western Medicine: Complementary or Contradictory?

Media and Entertainment

Streaming vs. Traditional TV: Flexibility vs. Scheduled Programming
Online vs. Offline Reading: Digital Convenience or Tangible Experience?
Reality TV: Entertainment Value vs. Ethical Implications
Music Genres: Cultural Expression or Generational Divide?
Video Games: Cognitive Development vs. Violence and Addiction

Politics and Governance

Democracy vs. Authoritarianism: Freedom vs. Stability
Welfare State: Social Responsibility vs. Individual Accountability
Public vs. Private Healthcare: Accessibility vs. Quality
Lobbying: Political Expression vs. Undue Influence
Globalism vs. Nationalism: Shared Goals or Individual Identity?

Social Interactions and Relationships

Online Dating: Modern Convenience or Loss of Genuine Connection?
Social Networking: Building Bridges or Creating Isolation?
Work-Life Balance: Career Aspirations vs. Personal Fulfillment
Parenting Styles: Discipline vs. Freedom
Age vs. Youth: Experience and Wisdom vs. Innovation and Energy

Ethics and Morality

Artificial Intelligence Rights: Machines vs. Sentience
Censorship: Protection vs. Freedom of Speech
Genetic Engineering: Human Evolution or Playing God?
Civil Disobedience: Morality vs. Rule of Law
Charities: Altruism vs. Personal Gain

Economics and Commerce

Global Trade: Economic Growth vs. Local Industry Support
Cryptocurrency: Future of Finance or Bubble?
Consumerism: Economic Drive vs. Ethical Implications
Traditional vs. Online Retail: Experience vs. Convenience
Renewable Energy: Environment vs. Economic Costs

Technological Advancements

Augmented Reality vs. Real-World Experience: Enhancement or Detachment?
Driverless Cars: Safety Efficiency vs. Job Displacement Concerns
Digital Learning Tools: Innovative Education or Over-reliance on Technology?
Robotics in Healthcare: Efficiency vs. Human Touch and Care
Biometric Data: Security vs. Privacy Concerns

Travel and Exploration

Space Tourism: Futuristic Adventure vs. Earthly Priorities
Backpacking vs. Luxury Travel: Authentic Experience or Comfort?
Ecotourism: Environmental Awareness or Commercial Exploitation?
Solo vs. Group Travel: Independence or Shared Experiences?
Urban vs. Rural Tourism: Cultural Hubs or Serene Retreats?

Arts and Expression

Modern Art vs. Classical Art: Expression Evolution or Degradation?
Digital vs. Physical Books: Convenience or Sensory Experience?
Mainstream vs. Indie Music: Popularity or Authenticity?
Professional vs. Fan Fiction: Originality or Creative Expansion?
Theater vs. Cinema: Raw Performance or Visual Spectacle?
Urban Farming: Sustainability or Impracticality?
Fast Fashion vs. Sustainable Fashion: Affordability or Environmental Responsibility?
Zero Waste Movement: Realistic Lifestyle or Extreme Measure?
Ocean Cleanup Initiatives: Human Responsibility or Nature’s Resilience?
Plant-based Diets: Health and Environmental Concerns vs. Dietary Diversity

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Useful References

The Writing Center | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Carl R. Rogers – Client-Centered Therapy | Simply Psychology

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Rogerian Argument

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The Rogerian argument (or Rogerian rhetoric) is a form of argumentative reasoning that aims to establish a middle ground between parties with opposing viewpoints or goals. Developed by psychotherapist Carl Rogers and adapted to rhetoric by writing scholars Young, Becker, and Pike, the speaker seeks compromise, acknowledging positive aspects of each party’s argument to arrive at a mutually-beneficial solution to an issue.

You may already use Rogerian argument in your everyday life to negotiate with your friends, family, and/or romantic partners. For example, if you wanted to watch a comedy and your friend wanted to watch a romance, you might compromise by offering to watch a rom-com, as this offers each of you a bit of what you are looking for in that particular moment. Note, however, that this style of argument is decidedly less common in academic settings, where various empirical or theoretical notions of truth are often prized above the practical advantages of the Rogerian method.

While Aristotelian styles of argument are often seen as eristic (concerned primarily with winning), the Rogerian argument can be viewed as more dialectic in nature (a conversation between two or more parties with the goal of arriving at some mutually-satisfying solution). Thus, practicing the Rogerian argument will enhance your ability to understand the complex relations of opposing viewpoints and provide tools for addressing such discrepancies sympathetically. It’s also great for day-to-day conflict resolution at home or in the workplace.

However, Rogerian argument does come with disadvantages. For example, because Rogerian argument relies on compromise between opposing parties, it may not work well when your opponents are unwilling or unable to compromise, or if they are arguing in bad faith (e.g., they care only about winning). It may also lead to sub-optimal solutions if your opponent’s position is demonstrably wrong, since in this case you may nevertheless be forced to sacrifice some of your (ostensibly superior) goals order to accommodate your opponent’s (inferior) ones.

In “Rhetoric: Discovery and Change” (1970), Young, Becker, and Pike describe the primary aims of the Rogerian argument as follows:

to convey to the reader that he is understood,
to delineate the area within which he believes the reader's position to be valid, and
to induce him to believe that he and the writer share similar moral qualities (honesty, integrity, and good will) and aspirations (the desire to discover a mutually acceptable solution).

The first aim shows the reader that you understand the complexities of the argument and that you have listened sympathetically to what it is they have to say. This is important, because the success of the Rogerian arguments relies on cooperation and collaboration. The second aim puts this understanding into practice by seeking a symbiotic solution. The third aim builds ethos and rapport between the parties. If audiences believe they share a value system with a speaker or writer, they are more likely to agree to the terms of whatever solution is presented.

While each of these aims is important, Young, Becker, and Pike stress that they are just that: aims, not steps. You should not necessarily view these aims as occurring in a linear, step-by-step process. The authors present a synthesized discussion of what a successful Rogerian argument should contain, but they eschew any formalized structure. The structure of the argument should instead be determined by the speaker, and it should be modified and adapted according to the rhetorical situation at hand.

Again, there is no formalized structure for the Rogerian argument, though the following example provides a foundation for considering how you might structure your own argument.

A successful Rogerian argument will likely include the following:

Introduction (addressing the topic to be discussed and/or the problem to be solved)
Opposing position (showing that you understand your opposition’s viewpoints/goals)
Context for opposing position (showing that you understand the situations in which their viewpoint is valid)
Your position (introducing/addressing your viewpoint as it differs from the reader’s)
Context for your position (objectively showing the reader the context(s) under which your position is valid)
Benefits (appeal to the opposition by showing how they would benefit by adopting elements of your position)

Below, we’ve provided an example Rogerian argument that follows the formula above. In this example, we will take the position that technology (e.g., laptops and tablets) should be allowed in writing classes while also considering the opinion of the opposition, who argue that such technology is more of a distraction than a helpful tool. In so doing, we should be able to arrive at a solution that considers both arguments and develops a solution that benefits both parties while still achieving our goal of allowing technology in the classroom.

Introduction

Here, we would introduce the topic and briefly discuss why it is a matter of contention. We would lay out the differing perspectives, briefly mention the merits of each argument, and discuss the implications closely considering all perspectives to arrive at a solution that works for everyone.

Opposing position

Here, we would introduce the opposing position that digital technology should not be allowed in the writing classroom. We would also list and discuss their objections to the proposition of technology in the classroom. These might include the notions that it’s distracting for the individual, the class, and the instructor, and is often used to avoid the lesson and instead play games or go on social media.

Context for opposing position

Here we might provide specific details that lend merit to their argument. We want to show that we are fully considering their claims and not just giving lip service, in the hope that that they will give similar value to our opinions. We could include statistics, testimony from instructors and students, or even examples from media that support their theory that digital technology can indeed be a distraction during instruction.

Your Position

Here, we would introduce our claim that digital technology should be allowed in the writing classroom. We would still want to speak as objectively as possible in order to establish our ethos as concerned but unbiased speaker. We might even qualify our position by acknowledging that there are, of course, situations in which technology should be put away, but reiterate that, generally speaking, the presence of digital technology is a positive.

Context for your position

Here, we can provide examples that run contrary to the ones we used for the context of our opposition’s position. For example, we could gather testimony from students who claim that using these technologies in class has been beneficial. We could include research and scholarship that supports our position and even quote instructors who have developed pedagogy around these technologies. We might even subtly demonstrate that our opposition has failed to account for all possibilities by choosing our examples carefully. For instance, we could easily include accounts of students with learning disabilities who might otherwise have a difficult time succeeding in class without the help of assistive technologies.

Here, we would use the points we’ve established throughout the argument to appeal to our opposition and find some productive middle ground that benefits both parties. We would acknowledge that some instructors do not want digital technologies present in the classroom, as they believe they distract from paying attention during lectures. We would maintain, however, that these technologies can indeed be productive tools for learning—in some cases, they can even be a virtual requirement for learning. We could then offer a solution: that these digital technologies should be kept aside during lecture portions of a lesson except in the case of students with documented disabilities. This way, students will likely be paying attention, taking notes by hand which they can transcribe later if they so wish. However, once a class moves from lecture to activity (whether group or individual), students should be allowed to access these technologies to more effectively engage with the activity, organize their thoughts, and access information. Now that the instructor is no longer lecturing, it should be easier to monitor student progress and engagement and the use of technology for these activities will lead to more developed and better organized results from the students.

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Essay Examples

35 Rogerian Essay Topics

The topics of Rogerian arguments are different from those which we get used to writing various types of essays. Their point is to involve the opponent of the speaker into a debate and to encourage them to negotiate. Actually, Rogerian rhetoric can be considered as a peculiar version of the democratic debate.

It may seem that a Rogerian topic presupposes the only point of view. In reality, such an argument is aimed at finding common ground. That is why it is essential to choose a Rogerian debate topic right. You should know how to create an essay outline . Here are some topic options helpful for captivating Rogerian argument:

Products Shouldn’t Be Tested on Animals.
It Is allowable to Test Products on Animals.
Smoking in Public Has to Be Banned.
Smoking in Public Has to Be Permitted.
Teenage Pregnancy Can Be Prevented by Using Condoms.
Teenage Pregnancy Cannot Be Prevented by Using Condoms.
School Education Is to Be Aimed at Developing Creativity.
School Education Is to Be Aimed at Memorizing Information.
Modern Society Needs Death Penalty to Be Banned.
Modern Society Needs Death Penalty to Be Allowed.
The Educational System Requires the Traditional Approach to the Curriculum.
The Curriculum Has to Include E-Learning.
The US Federal Law Has to State English as the Official Language of the Country.
There Is No Need to Make English an Official Language of the Country in the US Federal Law.
It is Acceptable to Euthanize People.
It is Unacceptable to Euthanize People.
The Curriculum Has to Include Evolution Studies.
The Curriculum Does Not Have to Include Evolution Studies.
Every Citizen Should Be Allowed to Own a Gun.
It Is Dangerous to Allow Every Citizen to Own a Gun.
The Set Limit of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Has to Remain 21 years.
The Set Limit of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Can Be Lowered to 16 years.
Children Cannot Be Involved in Trading Relations.
Same-sex Marriages Are Ethically Wrong.
Forbidding Same-sex Marriages Is Ethically Wrong.
It Is Reasonable to Let Teenagers Make Decisions.
It Is Not Reasonable to Let Teenagers Make Decisions.
One Cannot Censor the Information on the Web.
The Government Has to Censor the Information on the Web.
Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Is to Be Legalized.
Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Is Not to Be Legalized.
The Government Has to Implement Two-Child Policy.
The Government Should Not Implement Two-Child Policy.
Sixteen-year-olds Should Be Allowed to Vote at the National Elections.
The Age Limit for Voting at the National Elections Should Remain Unchanged.

As it is clear from the topics above, Rogerian rhetoric is a great example of free speech experience. A statement form makes a speaker defend his or her point, although the ultimate goal is to find a consensus. Free speech is not a controversial issue – it is a hundred percent human right! However, it may cost one a lot to exercise it. A lot of journalists get killed. Their number increases annually and is about to hit 150 a year. To draw the public attention to these drastic statistics, we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on the 3d of May.

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The Rogerian Method: A Practical Guide to Effective Persuasion

People have studied and practiced the art of persuasion for centuries. As a result, they have developed various methods of conventional persuasive structures and techniques to present arguments. One such method is the Rogerian argument. A Rogerian way of argumentation aims to identify comparable perspectives between opposing viewpoints. This article will explore the Rogerian argument model and its application in essay writing, including its use in a rhetorical analysis essay.

The Rogerian argument is based on the principles of Rogerian communication, named after psychologist Carl Rogers. It seeks to understand the opposition of the audience. A Rogerian argument assumes that each party in a debate has similar moral qualities and can work together to find an acceptable solution. The Rogerian argument method is different from a traditional argument approach. The classical argument sets up a composition that aims to persuade the audience. In the case of the Rogerian argument, the author prioritizes shared interests and works towards finding a mutual solution. By acknowledging the validity of each point, the writer creates a productive dialogue.

In conclusion, the Rogerian argument method provides a unique and effective approach to writing essays. It prioritizes finding shared interests and shared priorities. By focusing on dialogue, cooperation, and compromise, the Rogerian strategy attempts to find overlapping interests. It does so by identifying mutually beneficial objectives and goals. With the right guidance from argumentative essay writers , you can use Rogerian argumentation in your essay. And also promote rhetoric discovery and change.

In the following sections, we will define the Rogerian argument model and explain its structure in detail. It offers tips on how to use it effectively in essay writing, including how to write a Rogerian essay in writing classes.

Definitions of the Rogerian Model

In this section, we will define Rogerian argument model. This method of argumentation seeks to establish mutual objectives between opinions. Psychologist Carl Rogers is the namesake of Rogerian rhetoric. The argument method involves three main parts: preface, body, and conclusion.

Emotionally charged topics need even more attention to audience analysis. You should approach such topics with sensitivity and respect. Take the time to understand the audience or reader’s perspective accurately. By doing so, writers can tailor their arguments to appeal to the reader’s values and beliefs. This can lead to a more productive and respectful dialogue, which will increase the likelihood of finding valid solutions.

The body of the argument paper is where the Rogerian approaches shine. By acknowledging the major barrier, the writer earns the trust of the audience. This approach helps to build a bridge between the two positions.

The conclusion of the Rogerian argument should highlight the two shared values and priorities. It should also propose an alternative solution that accommodates both viewpoints. Following the Rogerian argumentative essay outline can help writers effectively use this technique and promote constructive conflict resolution.

A Rogerian argument is a powerful tool for building bridges between the opposition. Additionally, rhetorical devices tend to be less aggressive than traditional or classical argument. In the next section, we will discuss the structure of the essay in more detail.

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Structure of Essay with Rogerian Method Argumentation

The structure of a Rogerian argument composition is distinct from that of a conventional argumentative essay. The argument begins with the foreword. Here the writer acknowledges the opposition to establish credibility. The conventional structure argumentative essay presents an opposing position, with the writer trying to persuade the audience to adopt their view. In contrast, a Rogerian essay aims to find similar perspectives between opposing viewpoints.

The structure has six main parts: Rogerian argument begins with an introduction. Then comes position 1, transition, position 2, reconciliation, and conclusion. This structure helps the writer to present the opposition fairly and objectively. In this type of writing, the writer also shows readiness to compromise in search of shared interests. In the next sections, we will explore each part of the Rogerian argument example.

Introduction

In a Rogerian argument, the intro is an important stage. The writer not only presents the topic but also acknowledges the other side to establish credibility. This section should also create a sense of goodwill and a willingness to find mutual objectives, setting the tone for the rest of the essay. The Rogerian approach in the introduction sets the stage for the writer’s intention to find a valid acceptable solution together, rather than merely winning an argument. This approach helps to avoid creating an adversarial relationship between the writer and the reader. It also leads to a more productive dialogue.

In the next section, Position 1 of the Rogerian argument, the writer presents the first opposing position or argument. This section should be presented fairly and objectively, without any bias. The writer should explain the opponent’s position thoroughly. For example, by providing supporting evidence for their point. This section is critical because it demonstrates that the writer has taken the time to understand the opposition accurately and can present it effectively to the reader. A Rogerian essay example can be helpful in understanding how to present an opposing view without bias.

In the Rogerian argument structure, the transition section plays a critical role in the essay. This section is where the writer moves from position 1 to position 2 while highlighting the common goals and goals that both viewpoints have in common, which can facilitate finding a valid solution and ultimately help to find the middle ground. By focusing on overlapping values, the writer makes it easier to bridge the gap between opposing positions and find the middle between them. The transition section is an essential part of the Rogerian argument, emphasizing the importance of identifying and acknowledging the overlapping interests and goals of both parties.

In the next section of the Rogerian argument composition, Position 2, the other side or argument is introduced. In this section, you write counterargument in essay. Present the opposing viewpoint fairly and objectively, just like position 1. The writer should explain the position in detail and provide supporting evidence for their argument. This approach ensures that the writer gives equal attention and consideration to both oppositions, which is key to creating a more productive dialogue and finding a valid solution. By acknowledging and addressing both sides of the issue, the writer can build trust and understanding of the reader’s perspective and promote a more collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Reconciliation

In the reconciliation section of a Rogerian essay, the writer aims to bring the two opposing viewpoints closer together. This section is where the writer identifies and highlights the overlapping interests, perspectives, and goals that both viewpoints have in common. By highlighting the mutual objectives between the two positions, the writer creates an atmosphere of goodwill and cooperation in the reconciliation section of the essay. In this paragraph, the writer presents an example of a solution that could be acceptable to both parties. This approach is critical because it shows that the writer is willing to work towards finding a mutual solution for both parties rather than trying to win an argument.

The conclusion should summarize the main points and emphasize the converging opinions and overlapping interests between the two positions. It should also underline the benefits of working towards a mutual solution and demonstrate that the writer is willing to compromise. Overall, The Rogerian argument method is an effective tool for finding solutions that satisfy both parties by prioritizing common goals and finding a middle ground.

The Rogerian argument method provides a unique and effective approach to writing essays. By focusing on finding overlapping perspectives and shared priorities, the writer can build a strong case that is both persuasive and respectful of opposing viewpoints. This approach encourages dialogue and cooperation between opposing parties, leading to a more productive and beneficial outcome for all involved. The Rogerian argument method can promote rhetoric discovery and change.

If you are struggling with writing an argumentative essay using the Rogerian approach, consider seeking help from a professional writer or tutor who can write your argumentative essay for you, or even buy argumentative essays online. To find appropriate topics for a Rogerian essay, consider one that you are passionate about.

Tips on How to Use Rogerian Argumentation in Essay

In the Rogerian essay example, it’s crucial to understand the method’s purpose and structure and know how to write a Rogerian argument effectively. Here are some tips on how to use Rogerian argumentation effectively in an essay:

Acknowledge the Opposition. While using the Rogerian argument method, acknowledge the opposition. This helps you to establish credibility with the audience. The Rogerian approach in the introduction sets the stage for the writer’s intention to find a mutually acceptable solution than merely winning an argument.
Find middle ground. The writer should focus on identifying and acknowledging the overlapping interests. This approach makes it easier to bridge the gap between opposing stances and find a shared point. The writer should suggest an example of a solution that could be acceptable to both parties. The author should also emphasize the importance of finding a mutual solution between the opposing views of the reader.
Be collaborative . Seek common ground and explore the context of the opposing position respectfully and constructively. The writer’s position should be accompanied by a differing opinion.
Consensus Building. Emphasizing consensual beliefs and goals is a crucial aspect of the Rogerian argument. Incorporating opponents’ positions and presenting them impartially support finding common ground. By highlighting an example of a solution, a willing writer shows they are not merely giving lip service to finding an acceptable solution.
Shared solutions. Understand the context in which the opposing viewpoints were formed. By doing so, you can better comprehend how to write a Rogerian argument essay example in your writing classroom. The goal is not to attack or belittle the reader’s position. Instead, you have to find common ground and propose acceptable solutions. Avoid using inflammatory language, as it may make it harder to establish goodwill. Instead, argue, and remain calm and respectful. And focus on the areas of agreement between the two positions. This approach will help build trust with the willing reader and foster productive dialogue.

In a Rogerian essay example, finding overlapping perspectives is the main goal. By considering the reader’s perspective, custom essay writers create a dialogue toward a solution. This way, they tailor their arguments to appeal to the reader’s values and beliefs. It resulted in a persuasive and respectful essay.

To conclude, the Rogerian argument method let essays prioritize shared points. The Rogerian style mostly focuses on finding a compromise and a common ground. As such, it can help resolve conflicts and find answers or alternative solutions. If you find the Rogerian method overwhelming, ask professionals to write your argumentative essay for you. With the right guidance, you can effectively use Rogerian argumentation in your essay. And also promote rhetoric discovery and change.

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IV. Types of Argumentation

4.5 Rogerian Argument

Terri Pantuso

As discussed in the previous section, for Toulmin, argumentation is an attempt to justify a statement or a set of statements and focuses solely upon proving those statements. But what happens when you can concede that your opponent has a valid point? Because we are complex creatures, humans oftentimes find themselves strongly opposed to something that later changes for them once they are presented with different evidence. While many arguments can seemingly be based upon emotions alone, when presented with logical evidence to refute our position we may experience a crisis of conscience. Is it possible to hold firmly to one belief yet concede that the opposing side has merit? There is a way if you utilize the Rogerian method for argumentation.

Carl Rogers (1902-1987) was an American psychologist and clinical therapist who utilized a humanistic (client-centered) approach to psychology. When applied to argumentation, the Rogerian method makes use of examining counterarguments as enhancements, or concessions, rather than viewing them as completely oppositional. According to Lunsford et al., “Rogers argued that people involved in disputes should not respond to each other until they [can] fully, fairly, and even sympathetically state the other person’s position.” [1] Rogers’ non confrontational methods, when applied to argumentation in rhetoric, suggests that the most personal feelings are also the most common and, therefore, are the most likely to be understood.

One benefit to utilizing a Rogerian approach in composition studies is that it encourages the writer/arguer to build a bridge towards oppositional positions. This does not mean that you abandon your own position, and it does not mean that your position is weak. Rather, a Rogerian approach provides alternative perspectives for considering a given position as well as methods for responding to counterarguments that might seem to refute your major premise .

Much like the Toulmin method, the Rogerian method relies upon claims that can be supported with evidence (data). How the Rogerian method differs is in the concession where, if there is a strong, valid argument that refutes your claim, you concede that argument might be a valid point in a different context. Or, perhaps you concede that a portion of your opponent’s argument is valid for your position, yet point out how the circumstances differ, therefore making your position the most logical, strongest one for your given topic. While the goal remains to persuade your reader/audience to view your position as valid, when utilizing the Rogerian method you build common ground to other possibilities and demonstrate that counterviews are not entirely wrong.

When used in argumentation, the Rogerian method allows for a dialogue to occur surrounding an issue. By examining counterarguments to your claims, you are able to view your position/ thesis from a different point of view. Understanding all (or most) of the points surrounding your given topic will strengthen your own position as you will create a more fully informed essay.

Andrea Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters, Everything’s an Argument, 8th ed. (Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018), 139. ↵

A human-centered approach or perspective to an issue.

The basic assumptions or understanding on which an argument is based or from which conclusions are drawn. A major premise is a statement of universal truth or common knowledge. A minor premise is a statement related to a major premise but concerns a specific situation.

A statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes an argument that will later be explained, expanded upon, and developed in a longer essay or research paper. In undergraduate writing, a thesis statement is often found in the introductory paragraph of an essay. The plural of thesis is theses .

Rogerian essay topics for All Tastes

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What is a Rogerian argument? Let's figure it out!

Before starting choosing a topic and writing the essay, it's recommended to try and understand what a Rogerian argument is. You won't be able to write a good paper unless you know what you are writing about, and what the pitfalls of the task are.

So, what is a Rogerian argument? While "classical" arguments try to prove the correctness of one point of view and disprove the opinions of the opposition, the Rogerian argument is aimed to reach a consensus. Let us tell the whole story which stands behind this essay type. Once upon a time, there was a psychologist named Carl R. Rogers. This person supported communication which relies on compromises. He thought that no matter whether you agree with the opposite point of view, you have to listen to this point of view and come to a logical conclusion which takes into account the other standpoint. This is where the Rogerian essay comes from - it is based on the doctrines of Carl R. Rogers and was named after this psychologist. In other words, the Rogerian argument looks at the idea from different sides and does not categorically deny any of them. There is always a golden middle or common ground for different beliefs. Rogerian rhetoric is a problem-solving technique based on seeking common ground instead of conflicting.

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Good Rogerian argument essay topics - a few relevant and interesting examples

A Rogerian essay differs a lot from the other types of academic writing. The most important thing, which makes it so unique, is that it has practical application. It gives real solutions to conflicts and debates. A good Rogerian essay depends heavily on a comprehensive essay topic. It defines the final result you get because it contains the main problem. If you fail to choose a good prompt, you might get your score reduced. Rogerian essay topics bring up the conflicting points of view. That's why you should select the hot ones, discussion of which is the matter of great interest to everyone.

But worry not! We are here to help you choose the best topic for your essay. Our professional writers gathered some excellent Rogerian argument topic ideas:

Evolution Vs. God. Which theory should be taught in schools?
The promotion of same-sex marriage should be made illegal
We should be more liberal with same-sex marriages
Death Penalty is morally wrong
The moral side of euthanasia - good or bad
Any control of the Internet by the Government should be banned
Tobacco advertising should be restricted
The gun control should be less strict
A good way to prevent teenage pregnancy is condoms promotion
It's wrong to test products on animals
The role of religion in the modern society
The lowering or raising of the legal drinking age
The current taxation system in the United States
Appropriate age to gain the right to vote
Marketing techniques oriented on children should be forbidden
Is the surveillance of the United States citizens effective for combating terrorism?
Do Americans stretch their resources too thin?

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6 The Rogerian Argument Model

The rogerian argument.

The Rogerian argument, inspired by the influential psychologist Carl Rogers, aims to find compromise or common ground about an issue. If, as stated in the beginning of the chapter, academic or rhetorical argument is not merely a two-sided debate that seeks a winner and a loser, the Rogerian argument model provides a structured way to move beyond the win-lose mindset. Indeed, the Rogerian model can be employed to deal effectively with controversial arguments that have been reduced to two opposing points of view by forcing the writer to confront opposing ideas and then work towards a common understanding with those who might disagree.

Figure 6.1 “Carl Ransom Rogers”

The following are the basic parts of a Rogerian Argument:

1. Introduction : Introduce the issue under scrutiny in a non-confrontational way. Be sure to outline the main sides in the debate. Though there are always more than two sides to a debate, Rogerian arguments put two in stark opposition to one another. Crucially, be sure to indicate the overall purpose of the essay: to come to a compromise about the issue at hand. If this intent is not stated up front, the reader may be confused or even suspect manipulation on the part of the writer, i.e., that the writer is massaging the audience just to win a fight. Be advised that the Rogerian essay uses an inductive reasoning structure, so do not include your thesis in your introduction. You will build toward the thesis and then include it in your conclusion. Once again, state the intent to compromise, but do not yet state what the compromise is.

2. Side A : Carefully map out the main claim and reasoning for the opposing side of the argument first. The writer’s view should never really come first because that would defeat the purpose of what Rogers called empathetic listening , which guides the overall approach to this type of argument. By allowing the opposing argument to come first, you communicate to the reader that you are willing to respectfully consider another’s view on the issue. Furthermore, you invite the reader to then give you the same respect and consideration when presenting your own view. Finally, presenting the opposition first can help those readers who would side against you to ease into the essay, keeping them invested in the project. If you present your own ideas first, you risk polarizing those readers from the start, which would then make them less amenable to considering a compromise by the end of the essay. You can listen to Carl Rogers himself discuss the importance of empathy on YouTube (https://youtu.be/2dLsgpHw5x0, transcript here ).

3. Side B : Carefully go over your side of the argument. When mapping out this side’s claim and support, be sure that it parallels that of Side A. In other words, make sure not to raise entirely new categories of support, or there can be no way to come to a compromise. Make sure to maintain a non-confrontational tone; for example, avoid appearing arrogant, sarcastic, or smug.

4. The Bridge : A solid Rogerian argument acknowledges the desires of each side and tries to accommodate both. In this part, point out the ways in which you agree or can find common ground between the two sides. There should be at least one point of agreement. This can be an acknowledgement of the one part of the opposition’s agreement that you also support or an admittance to a shared set of values even if the two sides come to different ideas when employing those values. This phase of the essay is crucial for two reasons: finding common ground (1) shows the audience the two views are not necessarily at complete odds, that they share more than they seem, and (2) sets up the compromise to come, making it easier to digest for all parties. Thus, this section builds a bridge from the two initial isolated and opposite views to a compromise that both sides can reasonably support.

5. The Compromise : Now is the time to finally announce your compromise, which is your thesis. The compromise is what the essay has been building towards all along, so explain it carefully and demonstrate the logic of it. For example, if debating about whether to use racial profiling, a compromise might be based on both sides’ desire for a safer society. That shared value can then lead to a new claim, one that disarms the original dispute or set of disputes. For the racial profiling example, perhaps a better solution would focus on more objective measures than race that would then promote safety in a less problematic way.

Figure 6.2 “Rogerian Argument”

Sample Writing Assignment

Find a controversial topic, and begin building a Rogerian argument. Write up your responses to the following:

The topic or dilemma I will write about is…
My opposing audience is…
My audience’s view on the topic is…
My view on the topic is…
Our common ground–shared values or something that we both already agree on about the topic–is…
My compromise (the main claim or potential thesis) is…

Reading Strategies for a Rogerian Argument

To create a Rogerian Argument, you need to understand your opponent’s ideas deeply, and it also helps to understand your own side of the issue in depth. You already learned important skills for reading an argument, understanding an argument, and summarizing an argument. In addition to those skills, here are two new strategies: reading as a Believer and reading as a Doubter. As you can imagine, the first strategy is most relevant for a Rogerian Argument.

Believing and Doubting Games in Reading

When one thinks of reading the first thing that pops into mind is a person holding a book sitting in an easy chair in front of a fire lost in the author’s world, sailing the sea with captain Ahab, roaming the south with Faulkner, floating down the Mississippi with Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, reading as a kind of vacation from the real world. Reading is an escape into our imagination and the words and sentences of the writer. We are not tested on this reading or expected to argue about its literary merits. It is not work or pragmatic, it is pleasure, entertainment.

We read now from phones, computers, Nooks, wide screen color televisions, and movie screens as well as books and journals, and much of our reading in school is for a pragmatic purpose. For the purpose of this composition course we will use reading for inquiry (truth seeking) and persuasion (rhetoric).

Methods of Reading

Skimming is valuable when you are choosing your sources. It involves reading the abstract, the first paragraph, the last paragraph, and gliding or passing quickly through the body paragraphs.

Reading to find the truth about an issue

A good way of reading to explore and find the truth about an issue (inquiry) is by playing the believing and doubting game developed by Peter Elbow.

Believing Game

Close reading and summary writing as a way to play the believing game, doubting game.

The doubting game seeks truth by indirection – by seeking error. Doubting an assertion is the best way to find error in it. You must assume it is untrue if you want to find its weakness. The truer it seems, the harder you have to doubt it. Non credo ut intelligam: in order to understand what’s wrong, I must doubt. To doubt well, it helps if you make a special effort to extricate yourself from the assertions in question – especially those which you find self-evident. You must hold off to one side the self, its wishes, preconceptions, experiences, and commitments. (The machinery of symbolic logic helps people do this.) Also, it helps to run the assertion through logical transformations so as to reveal premises and necessary consequences and thereby flush out into the open any hidden errors. You can also doubt better by getting the assertions to battle each other and thus do some of the work: They are in a relationship of conflict, and getting them to wrestle each other, you can utilize some of their energy and cleverness for ferreting out weakness. Peter Elbow

Dialectic Thinking

Dialectic or dialectics (Greek: διαλεκτική, dialektikḗ), also known as the dialectical method, is a discourse between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject but wishing to establish the truth through reasoned arguments.

Because it’s so hard to let go of an idea we are holding (or more to the point, an idea that’s holding us), our best hope for leverage in learning to doubt such ideas is to take on different ideas. Peter Elbow

Key Takeaways

Questions to Ask

How do the two arguers disagree about the facts and interpretation of facts?
How are their beliefs, values, and assumptions different?
Do they have shared beliefs, values and assumptions?
How have my own beliefs, values, and assumptions changed? Have I been exposed to new ideas? How have my views changed?

Chapter Attribution

The material in this chapter is slightly modified (derivative) and includes material from the following sources:

“The Rogerian Argument” in Let’s Get Writing! by Kirsten DeVries is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

“Believing and Doubting Games in Reading” from Writing and Rhetoric by Heather Hopkins Bowers; Anthony Ruggiero; and Jason Saphara is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

Image Attributions from Let’s Get Writing!

Figure 6.1 “ Carl Ransom Rogers ,” by Didius, Wikimedia, CC-BY 2.5.

Figure 6.2 “Rogerian Argument,” by Kalyca Schultz, Virginia Western Community College, CC-0.

Upping Your Argument and Research Game Copyright © 2022 by Liona Burnham is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Rogerian Argument: Explanation and Example

When most of us think of arguments, we think about winners and losers. And we think that the winners win because their arguments were strong and forceful. This common perception of argument aligns well with what is called an Aristotelian or classical argument: “ This is my assertion and here is the compelling evidence that shows why I am right ."

But that kind of argument doesn't work in all situations. When your audience is a difficult one in the sense that you know your audience isn’t going to completely agree with your side of the issue, it can be a good idea to search for a middle ground. A Rogerian argument helps you find that middle ground.

Based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers, a Rogerian argument can be extremely persuasive and can help you, as a writer, understand your own biases and how you might work to solve problems by finding common ground with others. Here is a overview of the basic strategy for writing a Rogerian argument, followed by a Rogerian essay example:

10 Steps to Writing a Rogerian Argument

Find common ground — Because a Rogerian argument will help you find common ground with your audience, you should consider this style of argument when you have a difficult or controversial topic and want to use a connection with your audience as a part of your persuasive style. But what is common ground? Finding a common ground involves meeting your opposition in the middle.
Know your audience — Is your audience going to be reluctant to change on this issue? If so, a Rogerian argument can be persuasive. It is also going to be a wonderful exercise in helping you see things from your audience’s perspective, as your goal is to understand the other side of an issue and then meet your audience in the middle. Some brainstorming can help you as you think about how you are going to approach your audience and find the common ground you need.
Introduce the problem — When you begin your argumentative essay, you should introduce the problem or issue in a way that makes it clear to an opposing audience that you understand their position.
Acknowledge other side — Unlike some other argument structures, in a Rogerian argument, you should address the opposition in the very beginning of your essay. After your introduction, you should explain the contexts in which your opposition’s viewpoints make sense and are valid.
State your position — It’s now time to present your side. Your goal is to evenly and carefully make the case for your position in order to be as persuasive as possible to the other side. Explain the contexts in which your side of the issue makes sense.
Bring two sides together — After you present your position, your next step is to explain how the opposition would benefit from considering at least certain parts of your position. Focus on the value of your position while remembering the value of the other side.
Reach a conclusion — As you reach the end of your Rogerian essay, remember to remind your audience of your main points and try to leave your audience with something to consider, even if they are still not convinced by the balanced presentation on the issue you have presented.
Not finished yet — You now have your draft completed, but there is a world of work left to do in terms of revision and editing. Before you edit, you should revise the content of your work. To help with revision, it is a good idea to get feedback.
Hear from the other side — Get feedback from as many people as you can. It is helpful to participate in a peer review if your course offers one. But it is a good idea to go beyond that peer review as well. Try to get feedback from those who disagree with your position. Not everyone is going to agree with your argument, but the feedback helps you grow as a writer.
Edit and polish — Once your essay content has been revised, it is time to edit. Editing involves addressing things like grammar, spelling, and checking on your citation. A good editing process involves many passes. You can’t catch all of your errors in one pass. Remember that effective editing takes time!

Follow these steps and you will be well on your way to a strong Rogerian argument essay!

Rogerian Argument Example Essay

Now that you have had the chance to learn about Rogerian arguments, it’s time to see what a Rogerian argument might look like. Below, you’ll see a sample argumentative essay, written according to APA formatting guidelines, with a particular emphasis on Rogerian elements.

Click the image below to see the sample paper in a PDF format. Scroll over the purple dialog boxes to learn about the strategies and techniques the author used in this essay. In some browsers, you may need to download or save this file to be able to utilize all of its functionality.

Click here to see a sample Rogerian Essay

License and Attribution

Image Credit: Sketch of Carl Ransom Rogers by Didius .

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61 Rogerian Argument Model

Rogerian argument.

The following are the basic parts of a Rogerian Argument:

Rogerian Execise

Find a controversial topic, and begin building a Rogerian argument. Write up your responses to the following:

The topic or dilemma I will write about is…
My opposing audience is…
My audience’s view on the topic is…
My view on the topic is…
Our common ground–shared values or something that we both already agree on about the topic–is…
My compromise (the main claim or potential thesis) is…

Write What Matters Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting

What’s covered:, how to pick a good argumentative essay topic, elements of a strong argumentative essay, argumentative essay idea example topics.

Are you having writer’s block? Coming up with an essay topic can be the hardest part of the process. You have very likely encountered argumentative essay writing in high school and have been asked to write your own. If you’re having trouble finding a topic, we’ve created a list of 52 essay ideas to help jumpstart your brainstorming process! In addition, this post will cover strategies for picking a topic and how to make your argument a strong one. Ultimately, the goal is to convince your reader.

An argumentative essay tasks the writer with presenting an assertion and bolstering that assertion with proper research. You’ll present the claim’s authenticity. This means that whatever argument you’re making must be empirically true! Writing an argumentative essay without any evidence will leave you stranded without any facts to back up your claim. When choosing your essay topic, begin by thinking about themes that have been researched before. Readers will be more engaged with an argument that is supported by data.

This isn’t to say that your argumentative essay topic has to be as well-known, like “Gravity: Does it Exist?” but it shouldn’t be so obscure that there isn’t ample evidence. Finding a topic with multiple sources confirming its validity will help you support your thesis throughout your essay. If upon review of these articles you begin to doubt their worth due to small sample sizes, biased funding sources, or scientific disintegrity, don’t be afraid to move on to a different topic. Your ultimate goal should be proving to your audience that your argument is true because the data supports it.

The hardest essays to write are the ones that you don’t care about. If you don’t care about your topic, why should someone else? Topics that are more personal to the reader are immediately more thoughtful and meaningful because the author’s passion shines through. If you are free to choose an argumentative essay topic, find a topic where the papers you read and cite are fun to read. It’s much easier to write when the passion is already inside of you!

However, you won’t always have the choice to pick your topic. You may receive an assignment to write an argumentative essay that you feel is boring. There is still value in writing an argumentative essay on a topic that may not be of interest to you. It will push you to study a new topic, and broaden your ability to write on a variety of topics. Getting good at proving a point thoroughly and effectively will help you to both understand different fields more completely and increase your comfort with scientific writing.

Convincing Thesis Statement

It’s important to remember the general essay structure: an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A strong thesis statement will set your essay up for success. What is it? A succinct, concise, and pithy sentence found in your first paragraph that summarizes your main point. Pour over this statement to ensure that you can set up your reader to understand your essay. You should also restate your thesis throughout your essay to keep your reader focused on your point.

Ample Research

A typical argumentative essay prompt may look like this: “What has been the most important invention of the 21st century? Support your claim with evidence.” This question is open-ended and gives you flexibility. But that also means it requires research to prove your point convincingly. The strongest essays weave scientific quotes and results into your writing. You can use recent articles, primary sources, or news sources. Maybe you even cite your own research. Remember, this process takes time, so be sure you set aside enough time to dive deep into your topic.

Clear Structure

If the reader can’t follow your argument, all your research could be for nothing! Structure is key to persuading your audience. Below are two common argumentative essay structures that you can use to organize your essays.

The Toulmin argument and the Rogerian argument each contain the four sections mentioned above but executes them in different ways. Be sure to familiarize yourself with both essay structures so that your essay is the most effective it can be.

The Toulmin argument has a straightforward presentation. You begin with your assertion, your thesis statement. You then list the evidence that supports your point and why these are valid sources. The bulk of your essay should be explaining how your sources support your claim. You then end your essay by acknowledging and discussing the problems or flaws that readers may find in your presentation. Then, you should list the solutions to these and alternative perspectives and prove your argument is stronger.

The Rogerian argument has a more complex structure. You begin with a discussion of what opposing sides do right and the validity of their arguments. This is effective because it allows you to piece apart your opponent’s argument. The next section contains your position on the questions. In this section, it is important to list problems with your opponent’s argument that your argument fixes. This way, your position feels much stronger. Your essay ends with suggesting a possible compromise between the two sides. A combination of the two sides could be the most effective solution.

Is the death penalty effective?
Is our election process fair?
Is the electoral college outdated?
Should we have lower taxes?
How many Supreme Court Justices should there be?
Should there be different term limits for elected officials?
Should the drinking age be lowered?
Does religion cause war?
Should the country legalize marijuana?
Should the country have tighter gun control laws?
Should men get paternity leave?
Should maternity leave be longer?
Should smoking be banned?
Should the government have a say in our diet?
Should birth control be free?
Should we increase access to condoms for teens?
Should abortion be legal?
Do school uniforms help educational attainment?
Are kids better or worse students than they were ten years ago?
Should students be allowed to cheat?
Is school too long?
Does school start too early?
Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
Is summer break still relevant?
Is college too expensive?

Art / Culture

How can you reform copyright law?
What was the best decade for music?
Do video games cause students to be more violent?
Should content online be more harshly regulated?
Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
Should schools ban books?
How important is art education?
Should music be taught in school?
Are music-sharing services helpful to artists?
What is the best way to teach science in a religious school?
Should fracking be legal?
Should parents be allowed to modify their unborn children?
Should vaccinations be required for attending school?
Are GMOs helpful or harmful?
Are we too dependent on our phones?
Should everyone have internet access?
Should internet access be free?
Should the police force be required to wear body cams?
Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from their users?
How has the internet impacted human society?
Should self-driving cars be allowed on the streets?
Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
Are professional athletes paid too much?
Should the U.S. have more professional sports teams?
Should sports be separated by gender?
Should college athletes be paid?
What are the best ways to increase safety in sports?

Where to Get More Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original argumentative essay ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

26 The Rogerian Argument

Kirsten DeVries

Figure 3.9 “Carl Ransom Rogers”

The following are the basic parts of a Rogerian Argument:

Figure 3.10 “Rogerian Argument”

Sample Writing Assignment 5

Find a controversial topic, and begin building a Rogerian argument. Write up your responses to the following:

The topic or dilemma I will write about is…
My opposing audience is…
My audience’s view on the topic is…
My view on the topic is…
Our common ground–shared values or something that we both already agree on about the topic–is…
My compromise (the main claim or potential thesis) is…

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Home » Communication » 30 Best Rogerian Argument Topics

30 Best Rogerian Argument Topics

A Rogerian Argument is a style of communication that dates back to classical Greek days when speakers attempted to sway fellow votes through early style democratic debates. Arguments were built around gaining consensus with the listeners through seeking a middle ground when negotiating. Due to this strategy, the development of an argument differs from traditional styles. A collection of Rogerian argument topics to assist with encouraging your own debate.

Animal Research Should be Illegal. Ban on Smoking in Public Places. Condoms are Effective Towards Teen Pregnancy. Condoms are Ineffective Towards Teen Pregnancy. Creationism Should be Taught in All Schools. Death Penalty is Morally Wrong. Educational Curriculum Should Remain Conventional. E-Learning Should be Part of the Educational Curriculum. English Should Become the Official Language Spoken in the United States. Euthanasia as Morally Permissible. Euthanasia is Morally Wrong. Evolution Should be Taught in All Schools. Handgun Ownership as a Lawful Right. Handgun Ownership as a Public Threat. Legal Drinking Age Should be Lowered to Sixteen. Legal Drinking Age Should be Raised to Twenty-One. Marketing to Children is Morally Wrong. Same-sex Marriage Should be Made Illegal. Same-sex Marriage Should be Made Legal. Smoking in Public Places is Permissible. Teens Should Have the Right to Make Their Own Decisions. Teens Should Not Have the Right to Make Their Own Decisions. The Internet Should be Free from Censorship. The Internet Should be Monitored by the Government. The Use of Marijuana in Medicine Should be Legalized. The Use of Marijuana Should Remain Banned. Two-Child Policy Should be Legally Enforced. Two-Child Policy Should Not be Enforced. Voting Age for the National Elections Should be Lowered to Sixteen. Voting Age for the National Elections Should be Raised to Twenty-One.

In 2012, an estimated 121 journalists were killed, more than any other year previously. An estimated 32% of journalists killed came from the Arab states with an equal amount killed in Asia and Pacific regions. May 3rd stands as a special day to promote World Press Freedom Day around the world. The below infographic outlines the facts and statistics about free speech in the media around the world.

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Ai, ethics & human agency, collaboration, information literacy, writing process, rogerian argument.

Solving Problems by Negotiating Differences

How many times have you been in an argument that you knew you couldn’t win? Are you reluctant to change your mind about certain social, political, or personal issues? Do you have an unshakable faith in a particular religion or philosophy? For example, are you absolutely certain that abortion is immoral under all circumstances? Are you categorically against animal experimentation for advancements in medicine? Do you believe that criminals who have tortured and killed people should receive the death penalty? Do you believe that parents should have no more than two children because of the world population problem? Do you believe it is your patriotic duty to buy solely American products?

Some of our beliefs and arguments are based on faith, some on emotion, and some on logic alone. We all hold different religious, p olitical, and personal beliefs that largely define who we are and how we think. Within the past fifty years, as the size of our global village has appeared to shrink with the use of television, fax, and jets, we have become increasingly more sophisticated and knowledgable. As a result, most educated people now realize that few significant issues have simple solutions. Thanks to modern scholarship and research, we have come to realize that our personalities and thoughts are shaped to some degree by cultural expectations. Philosophers have challenged us to recognize that our worlviews – our assumptions about reality, what is good, what is possible – are influenced by our day-to-day experiences. We have realized that truth is nt a fixed, static entity that can be carried into a battle like a banner.

One wonderful aspect of your college career is meeting different worldviews through books and through discussions with people whom you otherwise would not encounter. Indeed, many college campuses offer a wonderful glimpse of the diversity of modern-day life. A wide-eyed glance at students at the university center on my campus, for instance, will show you Chinese students working alongside students from Africa and South America. Young women dressed in their power suits mix freely with returning older adult students. Fraternity brothers rush from place to place, dressed in their blue blazers and short haircuts, while male musicians, dressed in the tie-dyed fashions of the 1960s and shoulder-length hair, play guitars and sing protest songs.

One result of our increasingly sophisticated world is that you cannot assume that your readers will believe or even understand everythinhg you say. On the contrary, you need to assume that your readers will doubt you. They will question the validity of your evidence and test the logic of your conclusions. Modern readers tend to be particularly contentious when you insist on assertions that they find objectionable. Because of this shift in audience attitude, writers need to develop compelling ways of organizing and presenting arguments.

When you wish to address an emotional and controversial issue and when your audience is likely to be threatened by your ideas, you will probably not be successful if you make your claim in the introduction of your essay (or verbal argument). No matter how thoroughly you go on to support your ideas with careful reasoning and to refute other claims (such as those held by your audience) respectfully, your readers have already decided to ignore you. For example, can you imagine how your roomate would respond if you remark that he or she is a terrible slob? Even if you follow up your comment with photographs of the dirty dishes, cluttered rooms, and soild carpet left in his or her wake, can you imagine that the final outcome of your detailed presentation might be resolution? More likely you will face anger, bitterness, and denial. Watch your introductory prepositions!

Most of us tend to resist change and are threatened by ideas that challenge what we believe. Also, most of us dislike being told what to do and how to think, so even if our brains tell us to agree, our emotions (and egos) tell us to shut down and ignore what we are hearing. A male chauvinist who believes that women are intellectually inferior to men will be unlikely to listen to your argument that women are as intelligent as men. Your quotes from world-renowned educators and philosophers and your statistics from the Stanford-Blinet or SAT, GRE, and MCAT scores would probably be dismissed as inaccurate because they threaten his assumptions. Of course, you could hope that the chauvinist would change his mind over time when he wasn’t being pressed, yet you couldn’t bet on this outcome.

Because conflict is inevitable, we need to seek creative ways to solve complicated problems and to negotiate differences between opposing parties. Although there are no simple formulas for bringing opposing factions together, we do have a relatively new form of communication founded on Carl Rogers’s client-centered therapeutic approach to one-on-one and group counseling. Essentially, the Rogerian problem-solving approach reconceptualizes our goals when we argue. Instead of assuming that an author or speaker shoudl hope to overcome an antagonistic audience with shrewd reasoning, the Rogerian approach would have the author or speaker attempt to reach some common ground with the audience. Thus, in a very real way, Rogerian “persuasion” is not a form of persuasion so much as it is a way of opening communication for negotiating common ground between divergent points of view. In terms of writing, we coud say that the Rogerian approach melds the techniques of informative analyses with those of persuasive reports. Your goal when you employ the tactics of Rogerian problem-solving is not for you to win and for your opponent to lose, a scenario that more often results in both parties losing. Instead, you explore ways that will allow both you and your audience to win.

On Rogerian Argument

adapted from Rhetoric Matters: Language and Argument in Context by Megan McIntyre and Curtis Le Van

Rogerian argument is often difficult for students to understand because it asks them to think about controversial topics in a different way: from the perspective of someone they disagree with. The discussions that follow are meant to help you understand the reason for and the components of an argument in Rogerian style.

On Finding Common Ground

“On Finding Common Ground” is written by Jeffrey Spicer, University of South Florida

“ It is only through the clash of adverse opinions that the remainder of the truth has any chance of being supplied.”

– John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

“The major barrier to mutual interpersonal communication is our very natural tendency to judge, to evaluate, to approve or disapprove, the statement of the other person or the other group.”

– Carl Rogers, “Communication: Its Blocking and Its Facilitation,” 1951

argue (v.) – from the Greek argos, lit. “white,” or arguron, lit. “silver,” and meaning “to shine forth”: in contemporary usage, to present reasons for or against.

In 1951, the psychologist Carl Rogers gave a talk at the Centennial Conference on Communications at Northwestern University that changed the way we think about argument. Psychology at that time was dominated by psychologists like B.F. Skinner, who were learning to scientifically condition thoughts and feelings in the same way that Pavlov had conditioned his dogs to salivate at the sound of their dinner bell a half-century before.

Rogers, on the other hand, was a humanist. He believed that human speech and human cognition were interrelated and that the success or failure of one was related to the success or failure of the other. In “Communication: Its Blocking and Its Facilitation,” he put forward as the cornerstone of his practice the belief that “the whole task of psychotherapy is the task of dealing with a failure in communication” (330).

According to Rogers, the principle difficulty preventing people from settling their differences, indeed from communicating effectively in an everyday sense, was that people couldn’t stop evaluating one another. The more important a topic was to them, the more emotional the participants in a discussion became, and the more they were apt to judge what the other person was saying rather than giving it the best hearing they could. In short, Rogers noticed that when people argue, they tend to make judgments about their opponents’ positions before they really understand them.

Rogers’s goal, then, was to avoid this tendency to constantly evaluate and instead to “listen with understanding.” By this, he meant that people should not only try to understand that someone holds a particular viewpoint but also try to get a sense of what it’s like to believe that. “What does that mean? It means to see the expressed idea and attitude from the other person’s point of view, to sense how it feels to him, to achieve his frame of reference in regard to the thing he is talking about” (Rogers 331-32). Rogers himself acknowledged barriers to this kind of understanding. First and foremost, you have to be willing to try it, and not many people are. Rogers’s approach seems like you’re giving ground to your opponents and, what’s worse, sometimes you actually are. “In the first place, it takes courage […] you run the risk of being changed yourself” (Rogers 333).

It is important to note, though, that this sort of Rogerian understanding is also itself an argumentative tactic. First, people will almost always refuse to consider something if they feel threatened by it, and Rogerian understanding reduces the threat to the opposition. Second, people reciprocate; they tend to treat others as they are treated by them.

Despite the initial difficulties, then, each new understanding of the opponent’s view makes the next easier, while at the same time inviting, even obligating, the opponent to strive for a like understanding. “This procedure can dela with the insincerities, the defensive exaggerations, the lies, the ‘false fronts’ which characterize almost every failure in communication. These defensive distortions drop away with astonishing speed as people find that the only intent is to understand, not judge” (Rogers 336).

This Rogerian process started to make its way into textbooks in 1970. Richard E. Young, Alton L. Becker, and Kenneth L. Pike’s introduction of Rogerian psychology in their book Rhetoric: Discovery and Change seeks to simplify some of Rogers’s terminology and begin to present the process as a set of rhetorical objectives: “The writer who uses the Rogerian strategy attempts to do three things:

to convey to the reader that he is understood
to delineate the area within which he believes the reader’s position to be valid
to induce him to believe that he and the writer share certain moral qualities (275)

Put like this, in such a simple and reductive way, the process of attaining and expressing Rogerian understanding seems almost easy.

It is important to note that these are not developmental steps intended as heuristics, that indeed there are no sequential stages to a Rogerian argument. They are instead objectives to be pursued independently and recursively with the probably effect of facilitating communication. As Young, Becker, and Pike write, “Rogerian argument has no conventional structure; in fact, users of the strategy deliberately avoid conventional persuasive structures and techniques because these devices tend to produce a sense of threat.” This is not to say the argument has no structure, but rather that “the structure is more directly the product of a particular writer, a particular topic, and a particular audience” (275). The danger of argumentative form becoming an exclusionary force, silencing rather than evoking discussion, is therefore greatly reduced.

At this point, then, you may be wondering what Rogerian argument might actually look like in terms of an essay for a composition class. An essay modeled on Rogers’s approach should include a few particular parts:

a discussion of the problem from both points of view that uses value-neutral language
a discussion of the writer’s opponent’s point of view and a selection of facts or assertions the writer might be willing to concede to his opponent
a discussion of the writer’s point of view and a selection of facts or assertions the writer’s opponent might be able to accept about his point of view
a thesis that establishes a compromise between these two points of view and represents concessions from both the writer and his opponent

Analyzing Pertinent Conventions

Below are some of the strategies that you can use to negotiate consensus between opposing parties. As usual, you should not consider the following to be a rigid formula. Instead, pick and choose from these strategies in light of your audience, purpose, and intended voice.

Present the Problem

In the introduction, identify the issue and clarify its significance. Because you need to adopt a nonthreatening persona throughout your essay, however, avoid dogmatically presenting your view as the best or only way to solve the problem. Unlike your strategy for shaping a conventional persuasive text, at this point in your discussion you will not want to lay your cards on the table and summarize your presentation. Instead, explain the scope and complexity of the issue. You might want to mention the various approaches that people have taken to solve the problemandf perhaps even suggest that the issue is so complicated that the best you and your readers can hope for is consensus – or agreement on some aspect of the matter.

In your introduction and throughout your essay, you will want to explain the problem in ways that will make your audience say, “Yes, this author understands my position.” Because the people whom you are writing for may feel stress when you confront them with an emotionally charged issue and may already have made up their minds firmly on the subject, you should try to interest such reluctant readers by suggesting that you have an innovative way of viewing the problem. Of course, this tactic is effective only when you can indeed follow through and be as original as possible in your treatment of the subject. Otherwise, your readers may reject your ideas because they recognize that you have misrepresented yourself.

Challenge Yourself to Risk Change

Rather than masking your thoughts behind an “objective persona,” the Rogerian approach allows you to express your true feelings. However, if you are to meet the ideals of Rogerian communication, you need to challenge your own beliefs; you must be so open-minded that you truly entertain the possibility that your ideas are wrong, or at least not absolutely right. According to Rogers, you must “run the risk of being changed yourself. You … might find yourself influenced in your attitudes or your personality.”

Elaborate on the Value of Opposing Positions

In this part of your argument you will want to elaborate on which of your opponent’s claims about the problem are correct. For example, if your roommate’s messiness is driving you crazy but you still want to live with him or her, stress that cleanliness is not the be-all-and-end-all of human life. Commend your roommate for helping you focus on your studies and express appreciation for all of the times that he or she has pitched in to clean up. And, of course, you would also want to admit to a few annoying habits of your own, such as taking thirty-minute showers or talking on your cell phone late at night while your roommate is trying to sleep! After viewing the problem from your roommate’s perspective, you might even be willing to explore how your problem with compulsive neatness is itself a problem.

Show Instances When Your Assertions Are Valid

Once you have identified the problem in as nonthreatening a way as possible, established a fair-minded persona, and called for some level of consensus based on a “higher” interest, you have reached the most important stage in Rogerian negotiation: you can now present your position. At this point in your argument, you do not want to slap down a “But!” or “However!” and then come out of your corner punching. Remember the spirit of Rogerian problem solving: your ultimate goal is not to beat your audience, but to communicate with them and to promote a workable compromise. For example, in the sample argument with your roommate, rather than issuing an ultimatum such as “Unless you start picking up after yourself and doing your fair share of the housework, I’m moving out,” you could say, “I realize that you view housekeeping as a less important activity than I do, but I need to let you know that I find your messiness to be highly stressful, and I’m wondering what kind of compromise we can make so we can continue living together.” Yes, this statement carries an implied threat, but note how this sentence is framed positively and minimalizes the emotional intensity inherent in the situation.

To achieve the nonthreatening tone needed to diffuse emotional situations, avoid exaggerating your claims or using biased, emotional language. Also, avoid attacking your audience’s claims as exaggerated. Whenever you feel angry or defensive, take a deep breath and look for points in which you can agree with or understand your opponents. When you are really emotional about an issue, try to cool off enough to recognize where your language is loaded with explosive terms. To embrace the Rogerian approach, remember that you need to defuse your temper and set your pride and ego aside.

Present Your Claim in a Nonthreatening Way

Admittedly, it is difficult to substantiate an argument while acknowledging the value of competing positions. Yet if you have done an effective job in the early part of your essay, then your audience perceives you to be a reasonable person – someone worth listening to. Consequently, you should not sell yourself short when presenting your position.

Because of the emotionally charged context of your communication situation, you still need to maintain the same open-minded persona that you established in the introductory paragraphs. Although your main focus in this section is to develop the validity of your claim, you can maintain your fair-minded persona by recalling significant counterarguments and by elaborating on a few limitations of your claim. You can also remind your readers that you are not expecting them to accept your claim completely. Instead, you are merely attempting to show that under certain circumstances your position is valid.

Search for a Compromise and Call for a Higher Interest

Near the conclusion of your essay, you may find it useful to encourage your audience to seek a compromise with you under a call for a “higher interest.”

Writing Assignments

The Rogerian method of problem solving is designed for exploring controversial interpersonal, social, and political problems. You can use these techniques to help you begin or end a personal relationship or to help you effectively communicate with your professors, etc. Knowledge of the Rogerian method can help you deal with instances of sexual discrimination in the workplace or help you encourage insecure authorities to take the action that you want. You could use Rogerian approaches to encourage your classmates and other students at your school to be more sympatheticabout social problems such as poverty and ecological issues. To select a subject for a Rogerian analysis, try reviewing your journal and freewrite about significant interpersonal problems you have dealt with in your life. Below are a few questions that may help you identify a subject:

Do I want to write about an interpersonal issue? For example, am I having trouble communicating with someone? Could the breakdown be linked to my failure to employ Rogerian strategies? Are there any major differences in belief that I could bridge by communicating with him or her in a Rogerian way?
Do I want to write about a social or political problem? Are there any on-campus or work-related problems that I wish to explore? For example, am I worried about an important national issue such as the federal deficit? Or could I promote harmony in a local or campus conflict?
Are there any sports-related topics that I could tackle? For example, do I want to convince skiers that short skis have carved up the mountain in an ugly way? Do I want to persuade tennis players that we need to throw away the wide-body power rackets and go back to the days of wooden rackets because power tennis is killing finesse tennis?
Consider playing the role of a marketing executive. Find a new product that you believe is superior to an established product and then write some advertising copy that explains why people should shirt their loyalty to the new product.

Prewriting and Drafting Strategies

Analyze Your Communication Situation

To help you get a handle on which claims you are willing to relinquish and which you wish to negotiate, write a profile of your anticipated audience. Because awareness of the opinions and fears of your audience is so crucial to successfully negotiating differences among competing positions, you need to try to “become” your audience. As usual, this process involves asking, “What do my readers believe and know about the subject? Why do they think and feel my position is wrong?” Ideally, this process extends beyond merely considering your audience’s needs to seting aside your thoughts and feelings and embracing the opposition’s notions about the subject.

After you have gotten “under the skin” of your audience, freewrite an essay about your subject from their perspective. Doing this in a Rogerian way means that you truly challenge your own beliefs and present your opponent’s viewpoints as strongly as you would your own. If you find yourself unwilling to explore the strengths of your opponent’s position, then you should select a new subject.

Write an Outline

After freewriting about your opponent’s positions as if they were your own, you will probably have excellent ideas about how best to shape your essay. Youmay find it useful to jot down your objectives as suggested in the following outline. Remember, though, don’t let the outline control your thoughts. If insights occur while you are writing, experiment with them.

Explain the issue’s significance and scope
In what ways are the major assumptions of the opposing position valid?
In what ways are your assumptions invalid and valid?
What consensus can your establish?

Revising and Editing Strategies

By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses that your classmates and instructor have identified in past papers, you can know what special problems you shoud look for when evaluating your persuasive essay. As always, give yourself as much time as possible between drafts. Below I have listed some questions that highlight special concerns you will need to address when writing your Rogerian essay.

Is the Subject Appropriate for a Rogerian Approach?

A day or so after you have completed the first draft of your essay, reread it from the perspective of your intended audience. To conduct an honest self-evaluation, try to answer the following questions:

In the introduction, have I truly been open-minded? Have I thoroughly reviewed the strengths of my opponent’s counterarguments? Have I honestly challenged the weaknesses of my own position?
How could I change the essay to make it less emotionally charged?
Are the transitions from the opposing position to my position as smooth as possible?
When I present my claims, do I sound informed, intelligent, compassionate? What additional data would help my readers better understand my position? Do I need more facts and figures? Can I incorporate more outside quotations to substantiate my argument?
Have I successfully limited my analysis and elaborated on one specific, significant claim? Have I presented my position clearly and accurately?
Is the compromise I have suggested reasonable? Can I be more original in my call for a higher interest?

Read Your Work Aloud

Before submitting your essay to your peers or teacher, read it aloud to yourself several times. As you read, make a note of passages that seem difficult to read or sound awkward. Question whether the tone in the paragraphs is appropriate, given your audience and purpose. For example, can you find any passages that sound insincere or condescending?

Share Your Work with People Who Disagree with You

Ask people with different viewpoints from yours to critique your work. Let them know that you are attempting to seek a compromise between your position and theirs and that you welcome their suggestions.

Do a Criteria-Based Evaluation

In addition to making notes on criticisms of your text and ideas for improving it, you may find the following criteria-based format a useful way of identifying and correcting any weaknesses in your peers’ drafts or your own.

Rogerian Appeals
Author establishes an emphatic persona and avoid threatening challenges
Author clarifies instances in which opposing assertions are valid
Author show instances when assertions are valid
Author develops claim in as nonthreatening way as possible
Author seeks compromise and calls for an higher interest

(Low) (Middle) (High)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

II. Substantive Revision

The document is reader-based
The tone is appropriate given the audience and purpose
The document is organized and formatted effectively
The paragraphs are coherent and cohesive

III. Edited Document

Unnecessary jargon and awkward abstractions have been edited
To be verbs have been eliminiated
A high verb-to-noun ration has been established
Strings of prepositions have been avoided
The document has been edited for economy
The document has been copyedited for grammatical, mechanical, and formatting errors

Evaluating Criticism

When your professor returns your Rogerian report to you, take a few moments to reflect on your growth as a writer. To help put your role as “apprentice” in perspective, you may find it useful to consider the following questions in your Writing and Research Notebook:

What have you learned about yourself as a writer as a result of writing your Rogerian essay?
In what ways has your knowledge of Rogerian negotiation and problem solving influenced how you will make oral and written arguments in the future? When writing this report, did you find your original point of view softening?
Based on your peers’ and teacher’s responses to your work, what goals will you set for your next writing assignment?

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Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo.

M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and take a position on it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas available to get you started.

Choosing a Great Argumentative Essay Topic

Students often find that most of their work on these essays is done before they even start writing. This means that it's best if you have a general interest in your subject, otherwise you might get bored or frustrated while trying to gather information. (You don't need to know everything, though.) Part of what makes this experience rewarding is learning something new.

It's best if you have a general interest in your subject, but the argument you choose doesn't have to be one that you agree with.

The subject you choose may not necessarily be one that you are in full agreement with, either. You may even be asked to write a paper from the opposing point of view. Researching a different viewpoint helps students broaden their perspectives.

Ideas for Argument Essays

Sometimes, the best ideas are sparked by looking at many different options. Explore this list of possible topics and see if a few pique your interest. Write those down as you come across them, then think about each for a few minutes.

Which would you enjoy researching? Do you have a firm position on a particular subject? Is there a point you would like to make sure to get across? Did the topic give you something new to think about? Can you see why someone else may feel differently?

50 Possible Topics

A number of these topics are rather controversial—that's the point. In an argumentative essay, opinions matter and controversy is based on opinions, which are, hopefully, backed up by facts. If these topics are a little too controversial or you don't find the right one for you, try browsing through persuasive essay and speech topics as well.

Is global climate change caused by humans?
Is the death penalty effective?
Is our election process fair?
Is torture ever acceptable?
Should men get paternity leave from work?
Are school uniforms beneficial?
Do we have a fair tax system?
Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
Is cheating out of control?
Are we too dependent on computers?
Should animals be used for research?
Should cigarette smoking be banned?
Are cell phones dangerous?
Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
Do we have a throwaway society?
Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
Should companies market to children?
Should the government have a say in our diets?
Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
Should members of Congress have term limits?
Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
Are CEOs paid too much?
Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
Should creationism be taught in public schools?
Are beauty pageants exploitative ?
Should English be the official language of the United States?
Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
Should the alcohol drinking age be increased or decreased?
Should everyone be required to recycle?
Is it okay for prisoners to vote (as they are in some states)?
Is it good that same-sex couples are able to marry?
Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school ?
Does boredom lead to trouble?
Should schools be in session year-round ?
Does religion cause war?
Should the government provide health care?
Should abortion be illegal?
Are girls too mean to each other?
Is homework harmful or helpful?
Is the cost of college too high?
Is college admission too competitive?
Should euthanasia be illegal?
Should the federal government legalize marijuana use nationally ?
Should rich people be required to pay more taxes?
Should schools require foreign language or physical education?
Is affirmative action fair?
Is public prayer okay in schools?
Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
Is greater gun control a good idea?
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25 Good Rogerian Argument Topic Ideas
25 Good Rogerian Argument Topic Ideas. Rogerian argument is known to be an effective problem-solving method and is often written as an essay. Choosing a topic for it can thus be difficult. This Buzzle article gives you a list of Rogerian argument topics for you to write on.
50 Rogerian Essay Topics
A Rogerian essay's tone and writing style will differ from the more aggressive style of an argumentative essay. In a Rogerian essay, the writer starts by acknowledging that there is another side to the issue at hand and that valid points can be made for it. They then build on this common ground to further explore the issue.
60 Best Rogerian Essay Topics [2024 Updated]
Here Is a List of Rogerian Essay Topics for College Level Students. You can use the arguments below to compose your essay. The highlight can also give you the right direction of thinking. Legalizing the smoking of marijuana. Testing of human drugs on animals. College students and gun ownership. Enactment of same-sex marriages laws.
415 Rogerian Essay Topics & Good Ideas
Best Rogerian Essay Topics. Influence of Technology on Modern Education. Adoption of Vegan Diets for Healthier Living. Expanding Renewable Energy Use to Combat Climate Change. Growth of Cryptocurrency in the Global Economy. Comparing Traditional and Digital Art Mediums. Examining Pros and Cons of Distance Learning.
100+ Rogerian Essay Topics and Ideas
Selecting an effective Rogerian essay topic is pivotal for the essay's success. The key is finding a subject that represents genuinely differing perspectives, where common ground can be discovered. ... Understanding and integrating two sides of an argument requires skill, patience, and practice. If you feel overwhelmed, remember professional ...
Rogerian Argument
Rogerian Argument. The Rogerian argument (or Rogerian rhetoric) is a form of argumentative reasoning that aims to establish a middle ground between parties with opposing viewpoints or goals. Developed by psychotherapist Carl Rogers and adapted to rhetoric by writing scholars Young, Becker, and Pike, the speaker seeks compromise, acknowledging ...
35 New Rogerian Essay Topics with Examles
Actually, Rogerian rhetoric can be considered as a peculiar version of the democratic debate. It may seem that a Rogerian topic presupposes the only point of view. In reality, such an argument is aimed at finding common ground. That is why it is essential to choose a Rogerian debate topic right. You should know how to create an essay outline ...
The Rogerian Argument Essay: A Practical Guide to Effective Persuasion
The Rogerian argument method can promote rhetoric discovery and change. If you are struggling with writing an argumentative essay using the Rogerian approach, consider seeking help from a professional writer or tutor who can write your argumentative essay for you, or even buy argumentative essays online. To find appropriate topics for a ...
Rogerian Argument: Definition and Examples
Updated on October 01, 2019. Rogerian argument is a negotiating strategy in which common goals are identified and opposing views are described as objectively as possible in an effort to establish common ground and reach an agreement. It is also known as Rogerian rhetoric, Rogerian argumentation, Rogerian persuasion, and empathic listening .
Composing a Rogerian Argument
Writing a Rogerian Argument. Here is a summary of the basic strategy for a Rogerian argument: In your essay, first, introduce the problem. Acknowledge the other side before you present your side of the issue. This may take several paragraphs. Next, you should carefully present your side of the issue in a way that does not dismiss the other side.
4.6 Rogerian Argument
When used in argumentation, the Rogerian method allows for a dialogue to occur surrounding an issue. By examining counterarguments to your claims, you are able to view your position/ thesis from a different point of view. Understanding all (or most) of the points surrounding your given topic will strengthen your own position as you will create ...
4.5 Rogerian Argument
Understanding all (or most) of the points surrounding your given topic will strengthen your own position as you will create a more fully informed essay. Pantuso, Terri, Sarah LeMire, and Kathy Anders, eds. Informed Arguments: A Guide to Writing and Research. Rev. 2nd ed. College Station: Texas A&M University, 2022.
Sample Rogerian Argument
Below, you'll see a sample argumentative essay, written according to APA 7 th edition guidelines, with a particular emphasis on Rogerian elements. Click the image below to open a PDF of the sample paper. In the sample, the strategies and techniques the author used have been noted for you.
PDF Rogerian Argument
view, and be willing to work cooperatively with you. In the prompt the instructor will assign the topic for the essay. Five-Part Structure 1) Introduction: Engage with your opponent (the other side). Show your good-willed intentions by fairly describing the conflict in a way that shows you fully understand your opponent's point of view
Rogerian Argument Essay Topics
Good Rogerian argument essay topics - a few relevant and interesting examples. A Rogerian essay differs a lot from the other types of academic writing. The most important thing, which makes it so unique, is that it has practical application. It gives real solutions to conflicts and debates. A good Rogerian essay depends heavily on a ...
The Rogerian Argument Model
The Rogerian Argument. The Rogerian argument, inspired by the influential psychologist Carl Rogers, aims to find compromise or common ground about an issue. If, as stated in the beginning of the chapter, academic or rhetorical argument is not merely a two-sided debate that seeks a winner and a loser, the Rogerian argument model provides a ...
Rogerian Argument: Explanation and Example
Acknowledge other side — Unlike some other argument structures, in a Rogerian argument, you should address the opposition in the very beginning of your essay. After your introduction, you should explain the contexts in which your opposition's viewpoints make sense and are valid. State your position — It's now time to present your side.
Rogerian Argument Model
The following are the basic parts of a Rogerian Argument: 1. Introduction: Introduce the issue under scrutiny in a non-confrontational way. Be sure to outline the main sides in the debate. Though there are always more than two sides to a debate, Rogerian arguments put two in stark opposition to one another. Crucially, be sure to indicate the ...
52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting
Coming up with an essay topic can be the hardest part of the process. You have very likely encountered argumentative essay writing in high school and have been asked to write your own. If you're having trouble finding a topic, we've created a list of 52 essay ideas to help jumpstart your brainstorming process!
The Rogerian Argument
4. The Bridge: A solid Rogerian argument acknowledges the desires of each side and tries to accommodate both. In this part, point out the ways in which you agree or can find common ground between the two sides. There should be at least one point of agreement. This can be an acknowledgement of the one part of the opposition's agreement that ...
30 Best Rogerian Argument Topics
A collection of Rogerian argument topics to assist with encouraging your own debate. Animal Research Should be Illegal. Ban on Smoking in Public Places. Condoms are Effective Towards Teen Pregnancy. Condoms are Ineffective Towards Teen Pregnancy. Creationism Should be Taught in All Schools.
Rogerian Argument
The danger of argumentative form becoming an exclusionary force, silencing rather than evoking discussion, is therefore greatly reduced. At this point, then, you may be wondering what Rogerian argument might actually look like in terms of an essay for a composition class. An essay modeled on Rogers's approach should include a few particular ...
50 Compelling Argumentative Essay Topics
50 Argumentative Essay Topics. Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and take a position on it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas ...
125 Strong Argumentative Essay Topics For Your Next Paper
The format of an argumentative essay typically consists of three basic elements: An introductory paragraph, stating topic and thesis. Supporting paragraphs, presenting arguments and unique facts. The final paragraph, restating supporting evidence and thesis. The length and complexity of the essay will vary depending on the level of the student ...
How to Write a Rogerian Argument Essay
Composing a Rogerian Argument essay can be challenging if you don't know how to go about it. In view of therapist Carl Rogers' work, a Rogerian argument centers on finding a middle ground between the author and the audience. This kind of contention can be amazingly enticing and can help you, as an essayist, comprehend your own biases and how you may attempt to find a middle ground with others.

25 Good Rogerian Argument Topic Ideas

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50 Rogerian Essay Topics

Fundamentals of Rogerian Essay Writing

The Introduction: Start by Stating the Issue

Presenting Both Sides of the Argument: The Body paragraphs

Finding a Solution: The Conclusion

Rogerian Essay Topics About Social Issues

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Rogerian Essay Topics About Health Care

Rogerian Essay Topics About Family and Relationships

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415 Rogerian Essay Topics & Good Ideas

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100+ Rogerian Essay Topics

What is a Rogerian Essay?

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Compelling Rogerian Essay Topics Lists

Human Rights and Social Issues

Healthcare Debates

Environmental Concerns

Technology and Privacy

Education Discourses

Political and Economic Debates

Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

Cultural and Society Interactions

Cultural Dynamics

Science and Nature

Health and Lifestyle

Media and Entertainment

Politics and Governance

Social Interactions and Relationships

Ethics and Morality

Economics and Commerce

Technological Advancements

Travel and Exploration

Arts and Expression

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Useful References

Rogerian Argument

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

Introduction

Opposing position

Context for opposing position

Your Position

Context for your position

35 Rogerian Essay Topics

The Rogerian Method: A Practical Guide to Effective Persuasion

Definitions of the Rogerian Model

Structure of Essay with Rogerian Method Argumentation

Introduction

Reconciliation

Tips on How to Use Rogerian Argumentation in Essay

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