Rogerian Argument - in Practice

In Practice

This type of discussion is extremely useful in emotionally charged topics since it downplays emotional and highlights rational arguments.

Young, Becker and Pike identified four stages:

1. An introduction to the problem and a demonstration that the opponent's position is understood.
2. A statement of the contexts in which the opponent's position may be valid.
3. A statement of the writer's position, including the contexts in which it is valid.
4. A statement of how the opponent's position would benefit if he were to adopt elements of the writer's position. If the writer can show that the positions complement each other, that each supplies what the other lacks, so much the better.