A Fair and Impartial Presentation: Using Authorities

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

Writers try to adopt an impartial stance when analyzing opposing arguments. One method Jeremy Bernard uses is to quote an authority (for example, in pars. 9 and 10) to critique one of the authors he is analyzing, rather than doing so directly himself.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a paragraph analyzing and evaluating Mae’s stance in “Laying Claim to a Higher Morality”:

  1. Reread paragraphs 7–9, in which Mae presents information on the Douglas Wood hostage situation.
  2. How does the Wood example help Mae remain impartial as she questions Bagaric and Clarke’s argument? How effective is this strategy?

    Question