Final Draft Due: 4/30 at 11:59 PM with 2-day extension to Sunday at 11:59 PM.
Point Value: 20 pts.
Introduction—By now, you have a greater knowledge of rhetorical strategy, understand the difference between analysis and summary, and know the writing and research conventions of your discipline. Your next essay is the Claim of Values (CoV) essay. It requires you to develop a well-supported argument for a topic about which you currently hold a values-based opinion.
Typically, a traditional argument asserts a claim, provides evidence in support of that claim, refutes opponents, and concludes, declaring victory for the author’s position. Controversial topics, however, usually involve subjective assumptions, i.e. beliefs and values rather than hard-proven fact. “Real life” rhetoric/persuasion is rarely a matter of absolutes and more regularly deals in probabilities.
In the disciplinary fields of the human/educational sciences and humanities, scholars often face arguments where positions are not based solely on logical evidence. Individual values and sometimes emotion affect how human beings think and act. These values and emotions are often influenced by sociocultural experiences. As a result, “truth” is not a static, absolute concept: what is true for one person may not be true for another. Note here that I use the word “truth” not “facts.” As scholars, truth can be relative, but facts are testable, provable, verifiable.
Addressing a controversial topic is easy if you only write to an audience that already agrees with you. When you must address an audience that thinks differently than you do, the audience may feel threatened by your ideas. Psychotherapist, Carl R. Rogers, developed a theory of discussion based on expressing understanding and common purpose. By following the Rogerian model for your CoV essay, you will create a qualified, well-supported argument that presents opponent positions fairly and accurately without weakening your established point-of-view.
At its most basic level, the Rogerian model contains 4 stages:
- Detailed description of the problem
- Contexts in which the other side’s point-of-view has merit and validity. (Let your readers know that you understand the opponent position fairly and accurately.)
- Contexts in which the author’s position has merit and validity.
- Asserts a “win-win” by detailing the ways in which adopting the author’s position benefits their opponents.
Since this kind of essay avoids direct agonistic assertions (i.e. “Here is why the opponent is wrong”), one challenging element of a Rogerian model is to compose a clear argument position without appearing wishy-washy. To be clear, your task is not to say, “Some people believe this; others believe that; believe whatever you want.” You must choose a position and support it with evidence-based reasoning. However, you want your readers to know that you are attentive to their concerns and that your proposition is beneficial to them, as well.
For example, a Rogerian essay in favor of homeschooling might assert the following thesis:
Ensuring safety and educational support for all homeschooling students should be a top priority as the state works to support parents who want to have an opportunity to homeschool their students.
Assignment Instructions—Compose an argumentative essay on a current topic of debate in your professional field or personal area of interest (min. 6 pages + works cited/references page, double-spaced, Time New Roman, 12-point font, 1” margins). This topic must be the same that you have been researching throughout this class since Project 2 and must be one based on differences of opinions and values.
Your CoV essay must include the following elements.
- Summarize the main points of debate surrounding your discussion topic.
- Concede a context in which your opposing audience’s position has merit. A concession is when you concede a point to your opponents without attempting to refute it. A concession early in your values claim will not dilute your position but can help you achieve greater credibility.
- Present the merits of your own view.
- Establish how adopting your point-of-view advances a perspective that benefits all those invested in the topic.
- Even though this essay allows you to express your opinion, maintain 3rd person unless you use it for rhetorical effect. For instance, 1st-person constructions (I, we, me, our, us) can work well when you use them to establish a point of distinction or agreement between you and your researchers or audience. The “ICE Templates” handout offers examples of effective 1st person.
- Support your assertions with credible research. A minimum of 5 scholarly sources are required (these sources can be the same that you used in your Bibliography and Lit. Review, but you may use new ones if you prefer).
- Use the documentation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) for your professional field.
Assignment Objectives
- Understand the difference between analysis and argument.
- Apply critical thinking strategies to examine ethical, values-based assumptions.
- Identify and use researched data to support a clear argument.
- Learn how to use library databases for scholarly research.
- Learn how to incorporate sources (I.C.E.) properly and seamlessly within your paragraphs.
- Realize the importance of giving fair and accurate treatment to opponent arguments.
Writing Skills Evaluated
- Improving upon and continuing to use all skills from the Advertising Essay: formulating effective thesis statements, topic sentences, and body paragraphs (MEAL).
- Composing advanced introductions & conclusions
- Incorporating research sources properly using the I.C.E. formula
Using the Rogerian Model as a pre-writing tool for planning an argument
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