CULTURAL CONTEXTS FOR ARGUMENT
Ethos
49
In the United States, students are often asked to establish authority by drawing on personal experiences, by reporting on research they or others have conducted, and by taking a position for which they can offer strong evidence. But this expectation about student authority is by no means universal.
Some cultures regard student writers as novices who can most effectively make arguments by reflecting on what they’ve learned from their teachers and elders — those who hold the most important knowledge and, hence, authority. When you’re arguing a point with people from cultures other than your own, ask questions like:
Whom are you addressing, and what is your relationship with that person?
What knowledge are you expected to have? Is it appropriate or expected for you to demonstrate that knowledge — and if so, how?
What tone is appropriate? And remember: politeness is rarely, if ever, inappropriate.