Example of expert opinion

Example of expert opinion

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When student writer Onnalee L. Gibson wrote a reflective essay on a service learning project as a tutor in a high school, she wove into her reflections the words of other people. Sometimes she used them to support her points, and sometimes she disagreed with their ideas.

  • According to education researcher Jean Anyon (1981), “Students from higher social class backgrounds may be exposed to legal, medical, or managerial knowledge . . . while those of the working classes may be offered a more ‘practical’ curriculum” (p. 5). I do not see this gravitation toward social reproduction holding true for most students at Waverly High School.
  • In contrast to the idea that most people have nothing more than social reproduction to thank for their socioeconomic status (Bowles & Gintis, 1976), Eric seems to believe that hard work and a college education are keys to his success.
  • Too often students who do not need special education are coded for special ed—even when they have a learning issue that can be handled with a good teacher in a mainstream class (D. Carter, class lecture, April 6, 2006).

Her use of expert opinion shows that Gibson has read the educational literature, can connect the ideas of experts to her own experience, can offer counterevidence to their arguments, and can use notes from class and the field as support in her paper.

The voices of experts provide evidence to the reflection, putting other voices in conversation with her own. She engages in dialogue with others to give life to her writing.