Assignment:
Should Marijuana Be legalized In America?
Argument Research Essay -- Rogerian Strategy
- Write a Rogerian argument to acknowledge differing viewpoints.
- Length: 3 complete pages- no more than 5 pages before the Works Cited.
- Use MLA formatting (header/heading/title/margins/spacing/Works Cited/etc.)
- 3 to 5 sources MUST be used. Include Annotated Bibliography.
- Write in complete sentences.
- Include the following four parts of a Rogerian argument:
Introduction, during which the problem is stated without comment (1 paragraph)
o Acknowledge that there is another side to the argument; it is not the same as your own. Present a fair assessment of the opposition.
Re-statement of the audience's current stance (1-2 paragraphs)
o This part of your essay builds trust because it shows that not only do you acknowledge the other side of the argument, but that you also find some value in it. State the valid points of the opposition in which you find some merit or validity.
Explanation of the speaker's stance(1 paragraph)
o Once you have shown that you are taking your opposition into consideration, you should state your own perspective. Your thesis is the position you are taking regarding the essay's subject.
o State the valid points of your argument. This section builds support for your point of view; it illustrates that you have delved deeply into your subject and found material to endorse the position you have chosen
Conclusion, during which the speaker highlights the concessions made by the speaker and the benefits of changing viewpoints (1 paragraph)
o The conclusion in a Rogerian argument essay structure should illustrate why your position in this argument would be beneficial and would resolve the problem. In other words, even though you have admitted that the other side of the argument has merit, you want to conclude by showing why your thesis is the better option. If your position cannot completely solve the problem, as is often the case when writing about a controversial issue, admit that. State that while your ideas will help, more work needs to be done.