wia1elp_ch02

Establishing authority.

Establishing authority. In the United States, most college instructors expect student writers to begin to establish their own authority—to become constructive critics who can analyze and interpret the work of others. But what does establishing authority mean in practice?

Assume that your opinions count (as long as they are informed rather than tossed out with little thought) and that your audience expects you to present them in a well-reasoned manner.
Show your familiarity with the ideas and works of others, both from the assigned course reading and from good points your instructor and classmates have made.