Why We See Colors: A Rogerian Argument (GEW 101)

GEW 101: Ancillary Assignment Five

A Rogerian Argument

This essay should demonstrate a Rogerian-style argument regarding an issue about which you have strong opinions. Your task is to defend the opposing position, defending a claim with which you personally disagree strongly. Your assignment in the essay is to accomplish the goals of Dialectical Argumentation as discussed in class using the writing strategies we have developed together. You may write on a personal or political issue, but it must be something in which you are directly involved. No abortion, right to bear arms, women in the military, capital punishment, or other universal complex issues are allowed, and all topics MUST be cleared with me before you begin writing.

Your grade will be determined by several factors.

• Content: Your faithful application of the strategies used for composing Rogerian-style dialectical arguments. Be sure that every step is well represented.
• Form: The clarity of the essay, including grammar and spelling.
• Resources: Find factual evidence to support your claims; cite at least ONE SOURCE in addition to Everything’s An Argument.

The 6-Steps to Consider:

1. An introduction to the problem that divides the writer from an "opponent."

2. A demonstration that the opposing position is understood (done with a fair, generous, and

neutral representation of that position).

3. A statement of the contexts in which the opposing position may be valid or correct. (Note,

this does not mean explaining the position away or dismissing it.)

4. A statement of the writer’s initial position.

5. An articulation of those things that the writer and the opposing side share (assumptions,

experiences, perceptions, insights, values, principles.

6. Moving forward. An explanation of the way in which, because of considering the opponent’s

position and the writer’s initial position, the writer’s original position has been improved.

(This may include understanding that the opponent’s position may compliment the writer’s,

or that the opponent’s position offers a way to correct the writer’s initial position. It may even

include ways in which the writer’s original position was correct in ways the writer did not

understand or see, or it may include ways in which the opponent’s original position can

benefit from the writer’s.)

Your discussion should end with an explanation of areas of further (mutual) discussion, exploration, and investigation.

Assignment Requirements:

                ● 3 pages in length

                ● 12 point font (Arial, Calibiri, or Times New Roman)

                ● Double-spaced

                ● 1” margins

                ● MLA formatting

Due Dates: The essay must be submitted Cougar Courses (turnitin.com) before class on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Late papers will not be accepted.

Note:  Using the Writing Center while writing this essay will add 5 POINTS to your semester score.

I have attached two papers with the instructions on how to write the paper. Though, for the argument/issue of the paper, I would like it to be about an argument I had with my sister, though, since you don't know the whole argument, I will be broad about it and allow your to elaborate however you like. I was arguing with my sister about Color, I was saying that we can see color only because of the sun, which projects UV rays towards the earth, and those UV rays reflect off of molecules on objects in the earths atmosphere, whereby my sister said "no, it isn't because of the sun, it is because of what is in the atmosphere" and she was being stingy about it. Elaborate however you feel is suitable.