16 Rogerian Argument Audience

J Lionel

7 May 202416:52

Summary

TLDRIn this educational video, Dr. KP discusses the concept of a Rogerian argument, a form of persuasion that involves acknowledging and addressing the opposing view before presenting one's own position. The importance of understanding the audience's perspective is emphasized, as it is crucial to establish common ground and communicate effectively. Examples from various texts, including historical letters and advertisements, illustrate how different writers and speakers target specific audiences with tailored messages. The video aims to guide viewers in crafting essays that respect differing viewpoints and seek common understanding.

Takeaways

📚 The video discusses the concept of a Rogerian argument, which involves acknowledging the opposing view before presenting one's own stance.
💌 Dr. KP encourages students to reach out via email for any questions or comments about the course, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement.
🤔 The importance of understanding the audience is highlighted, especially when writing essays, as it helps in finding common ground and effective communication.
👥 The audience is defined as the person or group who disagrees with the writer's viewpoint, and it's crucial to address them respectfully in a Rogerian argument.
🌐 The concept of common ground is introduced as a foundation for building agreement with those who have differing opinions.
📝 The video provides examples of how to identify and address the audience in writing, using the beginning of essays as illustrations.
📚 The script references the Tolman model of argument, explaining the roles of claims, supports, and warrants in constructing an argument.
🎭 Historical texts are used to demonstrate how different authors, such as Christopher Columbus and a Native American named Pesaro, identified their audiences and communicated their messages.
📑 Advertisements are also discussed as a form of argument, with the audience being targeted based on desires and needs, such as satisfaction, luxury, or modernity.
👶 The video concludes with the instruction that in the course, students will write a Rogerian argument that includes the audience's point of view, the writer's own view, and seeks common ground.
👋 The video ends with a sign-off, indicating the next video will continue the discussion.

Q & A

What is a roarian argument and how is it structured?
-A roarian argument is a type of argumentative writing where, after introducing the topic, the writer includes the opposing view. This involves stating the position of people who disagree before presenting one's own view. For example, if arguing that AI is helpful for humanity, one would first acknowledge those who believe AI will be detrimental, then present a counterargument stating why AI is still beneficial.
Why is considering the audience important in a roarian argument?
-The audience is crucial because they are the ones who may not agree with the writer's view. It's important to communicate in a way that the audience understands and can relate to, focusing on establishing common ground to build agreement on certain points despite disagreements.
What is the concept of 'common ground' in the context of argumentative writing?
-Common ground refers to the shared understanding, values, or beliefs between the writer and the audience. It's the foundation upon which further agreement can be built, even with those who may disagree on certain issues. Finding common ground helps in making the argument more persuasive and relatable.
How does Dr. KP suggest identifying the audience in an argumentative essay?
-Dr. KP suggests that the audience should be identified very clearly at the beginning of the essay. This can be done by considering the age, interests, beliefs, and specific concerns of the intended readers, and tailoring the writing to address those directly.
What is the significance of the Tolman model of argument in the script?
-The Tolman model of argument is used to explain the structure of an argument, which includes the claim (what the writer believes), the support (the reasons for the belief), and the warrant (the underlying belief that links the claim and support). This model helps in understanding how arguments are constructed and how to effectively present them.
Can you explain the role of warrants in an argument based on the script?
-Warrants in an argument serve as the beliefs or assumptions that link the claim (what is being argued) and the support (the reasons for the argument). They provide the rationale for why the support is relevant to the claim and help in convincing the audience of the validity of the argument.
What is the purpose of the example provided by Dr. KP about Disney films?
-The example of Disney films is used to illustrate how an author can clearly identify their audience and tailor their argument to that specific group. In the example, the author, John Evans, is writing for over-30, god-honoring parents who are interested in Disney movies, showing how to directly address a particular audience.
How does Dr. KP use historical texts to demonstrate the concept of audience in writing?
-Dr. KP uses historical texts, such as letters written by Christopher Columbus and a Native American named Pesaro, to show how the audience can be identified through the language, tone, and content of the writing. These texts demonstrate how the writer's choice of words and the message can be tailored to the specific audience they are addressing.
What is the significance of the advertisement examples in understanding the concept of audience?
-The advertisement examples are used to show how different products are marketed to specific audiences based on their desires, needs, and identities. Each advertisement is crafted to appeal to a particular group, whether it's successful individuals seeking luxury, progressive women, or parents concerned about safety.
How does the script suggest concluding a roarian argument?
-The script suggests concluding a roarian argument by seeking common ground between the opposing view and the writer's own view. This involves acknowledging the audience's perspective, expressing it respectfully, stating one's own view, and then attempting to find areas of agreement to create a more persuasive and balanced argument.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Rhetorical Argument and Audience

Dr. KP begins the video by inviting viewers to engage with the course material and share their questions or comments via email. The main topic of discussion is the rhetorical argument, specifically addressing the concept of audience. Dr. KP explains that in a rhetorical argument, after introducing one's topic, it's important to acknowledge the opposing view, which represents people who disagree with the writer's stance. This is done by stating the opposing position before presenting one's own view. For instance, if the topic is the positive impact of AI on humanity, the opposing view might argue against it, citing potential disastrous outcomes. Dr. KP emphasizes the importance of the audience, who are those who disagree, and the need to communicate with them in a way that they understand, focusing on finding common ground. The concept of common ground is tied to the idea that in any form of communication, there is a speaker or writer and an audience who receives the message. The goal is to ensure that the audience gains new information and ideas from the writing, and to achieve this, it's crucial to find common ground with them, such as shared values or understanding of certain terms.

05:01

🎭 Analyzing Audience in Historical and Literary Texts

The video continues with an exploration of audience identification in various texts, starting with an article by John Evans from 1995, which critiques Disney films. Dr. KP points out that Evans clearly identifies his audience at the beginning of his essay, targeting over-30 adults who are parents and have fond memories of Disney movies. This specificity helps in understanding who the content is intended for. The analysis then shifts to historical texts, such as a letter written by Christopher Columbus during his voyage, where he addresses an unidentified 'sir,' likely a high-ranking individual who is religious and supportive of Columbus's mission. Another example is a letter by a Native American named Pesaro, written in 1822, addressing the President of the United States, pleading for his people to be allowed to maintain their traditional way of life before being forced to assimilate. These examples illustrate the importance of understanding the intended audience and the context in which the texts were written.

10:04

📚 Dissecting the Audience of Advertisements and Autobiographies

The video script delves into the concept of audience in advertisements and autobiographical writings. It starts with an advertisement for the 1974 Chrysler, which is aimed at individuals seeking satisfaction and luxury in a car, likely successful individuals who have earned the right to indulge in such desires. Another ad for Virginia Slims cigarettes targets progressive, modern women who value thinness, as indicated by the slim design of the cigarettes compared to those typically smoked by men. The script also mentions a Michelin tire advertisement that uses a baby to appeal to parents who prioritize safety. Lastly, an ad for Imperial whiskey directly addresses men, suggesting that it is a drink for those who identify as or wish to feel masculine. These examples demonstrate how advertisements are crafted to appeal to specific audience segments based on their desires, values, and identities.

15:06

📝 Assignment Overview: Crafting a Rhetorical Argument

To conclude the video, Dr. KP outlines the assignment for the class, which involves creating a rhetorical argument. Students are instructed to start by introducing their topic and then presenting the audience's point of view, which should be done respectfully to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings. Afterward, students should state their own view in a conventional manner. The goal is to seek common ground between the opposing views by the end of the essay. This exercise aims to help students understand the importance of audience in communication and the art of finding shared understanding despite differing opinions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Roarian Argument

A Roarian argument is a form of argumentative writing that requires the writer to consider and acknowledge the opposing view before presenting their own stance. In the context of the video, Dr. KP explains that after introducing the topic, one must include the opposing view, which represents people who disagree. This is crucial for establishing common ground and effectively persuading the audience. For example, if the topic is about AI being beneficial to humanity, the opposing view might suggest AI could be disastrous, and the writer would then address this concern before arguing for their position.

💡Audience

In the script, 'audience' refers to the individuals for whom the argument is being crafted. The audience's perspective is vital as it influences how the argument is presented and the language used. Dr. KP emphasizes that the audience's understanding and agreement are essential, which is why finding common ground is so important. For instance, when discussing Disney films, the author John Evans identifies his audience as over-30, god-honoring parents who grew up with Disney movies and want the same for their children.

💡Common Ground

Common ground is the shared understanding or agreement between the writer and the audience on certain concepts or values. It serves as a foundation for building further agreement, even when there are disagreements on specific issues. In the video, Dr. KP discusses the importance of finding common ground to bridge the gap between differing viewpoints. An example from the script is the shared understanding that 'health is good' and 'sickness is bad,' which can be used to establish a baseline for further discussion.

💡Claim

A 'claim' in an argument is the central point or belief that the writer is advocating for. It is the thesis or proposition that the rest of the argument supports. In the context of the video, Dr. KP uses the example of an argument about Disney films being bad, where the claim is explicitly stated, and the writer then provides supporting evidence and reasons (warrants) to back up this claim.

💡Support

Support in an argument refers to the evidence or reasons provided to back up the claim. It serves to validate the writer's position and persuade the audience. In the video, Dr. KP explains that after stating the claim, the writer must provide support, which could include data, examples, or logical reasoning. For instance, in the Disney films argument, the writer supports the claim that Disney films are bad by discussing specific movies and their perceived negative aspects.

💡Warrant

A 'warrant' is the underlying belief or assumption that connects the claim and the support in an argument. It is the rationale that explains why the support leads to the claim being true. In the video, Dr. KP uses the example of an argument about Disney films, where the warrant might be a personal belief that children should not be exposed to certain religious themes in movies.

💡Opposing View

The 'opposing view' is the perspective that contradicts the writer's claim. It represents the arguments or beliefs of those who disagree with the writer's position. In the video, Dr. KP instructs that when writing a Roarian argument, one must first introduce the topic and then present the opposing view before stating their own view. This approach allows the writer to address potential counterarguments and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

💡Argumentative Writing

Argumentative writing is a type of writing where the author presents a point of view on a controversial issue and defends it with evidence and reasoning. The video's theme revolves around this form of writing, specifically the Roarian argument, which requires acknowledging the opposing view before presenting one's own. Dr. KP provides examples and discusses strategies for effective argumentative writing, such as finding common ground and addressing the audience's perspective.

💡Persuasion

Persuasion in the context of the video refers to the writer's goal of convincing the audience to accept their point of view. This is achieved through the use of logical arguments, evidence, and by establishing common ground. Dr. KP explains that understanding the audience and addressing their potential objections is key to successful persuasion in argumentative writing.

💡Context

Context in the video refers to the background or setting within which the argument is presented. It is important because it influences how the audience perceives and interprets the argument. For example, when discussing the impact of European settlers on Native Americans, the historical context of the 19th century is crucial for understanding the argument and the audience's perspective.

Highlights

Introduction to roarian argument, which involves acknowledging the opposing view before stating one's own position.

The importance of considering the audience when writing a roarian argument, particularly those who disagree with the writer's view.

The concept of finding common ground with the audience to facilitate understanding and agreement.

The role of language and shared values in establishing common ground with the audience.

The significance of the audience's understanding of the writer's perspective in the context of a roarian argument.

The Tolman model of argument, which includes the claim, support, and warrant.

John Evans' 1995 article on Disney films as an example of identifying the audience clearly in writing.

Christopher Columbus' letter as an example of writing to a specific audience with shared religious and economic interests.

Pesaro's letter illustrating the audience's impact on the content and tone of the message.

Harriet Jacobs' book highlighting the audience of free women and mothers to contrast the experiences of slaves.

Advertisements as a form of argument, aiming to persuade the audience to buy or like a product.

The 1974 Chrysler advertisement targeting an audience seeking satisfaction, luxury, and comfort.

Virginia Slims advertisement addressing progressive, modern women who desire thin cigarettes.

Michelin tire advertisement targeting parents who prioritize safety for their children.

Imperial whiskey advertisement targeting men seeking a masculine identity and product.

The process of writing a roarian argument, including expressing the audience's view respectfully and seeking common ground.