Reflection on Rogerian Essay and Proposal Letter

For the final essay, I wish to reflect on the Rogerian essay that I had written earlier this semester to address the issue of plastic bag bans in supermarkets and how I adapted this analysis to the format of the problem/solution letter. Although the Hegelian dialectic is often simplified in terms that Hegel had never used himself, the philosophical triad of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis is frequently attributed to his work, and therefore he is credited with revolutionizing the rhetorical landscape of western philosophy. In the Rogerian argument, this dialectical methodology is adopted to an exemplary degree. The writer is expected to provide a reasonable analysis on the argument which acts in opposition to his or her own views, followed by an argument in favor of the writer’s position, and finally the proposal of a solution that may adequately reconcile both opposing interests. This approach follows a highly structured format and is intended for an academic audience. However, after adapting the Rogerian essay to the problem/solution format, the result was a call for action that was more accessible to a wider audience, a more concise analysis of the both the problem and the solution, and a more practical application to the real world.

For instance, one of the most difficult aspects of writing the problem/solution letter was that I was restricted to using language that is not commonly characteristic of my own style as an author. Due to myriad postmodern literary influences, I prefer long run-on sentences, grammatical complexity, precise diction, and loose structure. However, my letter was being addressed to the president of Homeland Grocery, a practical businessman concerned with the bottom line, whose level of education was unknown to me at the time of  writing. To successfully convey my message, I needed to tailor my words according to the expectation that the audience may feel bored, frustrated, or even patronized by a bunch of big words assembled in a way that resembled a jigsaw puzzle more than a traditional email. I had to maintain interest by rendering my analysis comprehensible, my solution practical, and his first impression of the sender agreeable. Sentences had to be re-written, phrases had to be shortened considerably, and the vocabulary was frequently exchanged for words more commonly used in day-to-day conversation. I had to approach this proposal in a conversational manner rather than through the lens of an academic analysis. The result of all these changes was not only that a wider audience could understand my proposal, but also more people might actually wish to take the time to understand it.

Secondly, to adequately address the format of the problem/solution letter, fourteen pages worth of content had to be reduced to two pages worth of a proposal. I remember when I had first started as a police officer, I worked under the watchful eye of a supervisor who would often become incensed by what he characterized as wasteful blather during high stress situations. Rather than summarizing a sequence of events in a sentence or two that adequately addressed the who, what, when, and where I would often provide background, explanation, and detailed descriptions of my actions that were not necessary for a supervisor to decide how to proceed. After carefully honing this skill for several years, I gained perspective when I became acquainted with another supervisor who had to know every insignificant detail, regardless of how tied up everyone was as soon as he arrived. Needless to say, more isn’t always better. Our attention spans may vary, but if someone has successfully climbed to the top of the corporate ladder in a multi-million-dollar company, it is safe to assume that he or she does not wish to read page after page of depressing descriptions detailing how plastic is affecting aquatic wildlife or how the Vietnamese went about studying consumer behavior to influence public policy. By reducing the length of the proposal, the audience is afforded the opportunity to absorb the material without getting bogged down in the details.

Finally, the Rogerian argument may well have provided solutions that could theoretically reduce plastic pollution in the environment, but the problem/solution letter took inspiration from these ideas and grounded them in a real-world setting. CEOs, such as President Marc Jones, have a fiduciary responsible to ensure steady returns for their investors, job security for their employees, and a positive image for the brands they represent. All three of these factors are addressed by the problem/solution letter in detail. Offering a variety of reusable non-plastic bags, while marketing this merchandise in ways that encourage changes in consumer behavior, can effectively reduce overhead costs, enhance brand recognition, and provide a new source of revenue for Homeland Grocery stores nationwide. The Rogerian argument suggests the idea of encouraging the use of reusable bags through advertising, but the question of who is going to foot the bill is left unanswered. In the problem/solution letter, we have the answer. Homeland Grocery will take the first step in initiating a revolution in consumer behavior that can substantially reduce the level of plastic pollution in the environment, while netting considerable profits in the long-term. Thus, an academic argument in favor of broad lofty goals can be exchanged for a proposal that can be implemented as soon as the audience is swayed in the author’s favor.

Overall, in adapting the ideas expressed in the Rogerian argument to the new format, the result is a work that can more effectively accomplish its intended purpose of reducing the accumulation of plastic in the environment from plastic bags. By using language that is more accessible to a wider audience, reducing the overall length of the text, and providing a practical solution tailor fitted to the recipient, the author can more effectively advocate for his or her own proposals. Professional growth is vital in producing desirable outcomes. While these projects were completed in an academic setting, the skills that I have gained from these experiences will certainly prove invaluable in the years that follow. Moving forward, I will be better suited to face new challenges and to effect the changes in this world that it so desperately needs.