1.  Read Andrew Marvell’s "To His Coy Mistress." Notice diction and allusions. Remember: you are trained to do analysis. You should apply that skill even to poetry. This is still an argument; it just happens to be in verse.

2.  Paraphrase this argument. That is, decide what this argument is about and see if you all can articulate that to each other. Compose a short paragraph that captures the essence of the argument.

3.  Next, respond to Marvell’s argument this way: construct a Rogerian proposal that will address the needs of both parties. Yes, yes, they may not be hostile parties, but assume that Marvell simply cannot convince his mistress completely. Maybe it would help if you saw yourselves as relationship counselors.

There are some inherent problems you should note:

• It appears the speaker argues in a classical way: he wants a clear victory.
• The opposition never speaks; we can only assume what her position is.
• A compromise is difficult without all of the facts. Nevertheless, do your best.

4.  In your group, divide the work so that one person takes responsibility for each piece of a Rogerian argument.  You've already taken the first step (providing background and stating the issue plainly) in your paraphrase from item 2, above. But the three middle steps should be distributed:

a. Paraphrase the opposing view objectively.

b. State the speaker’s view objectively.

c. Show in what ways both sides are alike.

5.  Now, review your writing and thinking and discuss possibilities for a compromise. This should be done collectively. That is, while each of you may have been "assigned" one of the previous three steps of a Rogerian model, you should now put all your heads together to collaborate on a compromise. What is the best solution for this tortured couple? 

Fine tune the five paragraphs in one word processing document, suggesting transitions and other revisions to make the entire proposal cohesive. Then, when you all are satisfied, be sure your names are on this collaboration, print and submit the combined work.

Artist's rendering of our poem's narrator, and his coy mistress,  immediately after hearing one English 1121 collaboration group's suggestion for a Rogerian compromise.  When asked about the group's decision, the narrator replied curtly,  "Had I but world enough and time, I'd tell you my honest thoughts."  With that, he and his attorney fled in a horse-drawn carriage. The coy mistress signed autographs and then left without comment.

Collaborators posing for group photo after successfully completing English 1121 collaboration writing exercise.