Exercising Authority

barclay_barrios
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One of the goals of many research projects is to have students write with authority and confidence. Have them practice this skill by first reviewing the materials on research in the handbook. Then, in class, ask them to locate a subject they are already an expert in—a video game, a TV show, a sport—and then list three to five sources (of any sort) they would refer someone to who wanted to learn about that topic. Use this to open a class discussion about the kinds of authority they should achieve through research.
About the Author
Barclay Barrios is an Associate Professor of English and Director of Writing Programs at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches freshman composition and graduate courses in composition methodology and theory, rhetorics of the world wide web, and composing digital identities. He was Director of Instructional Technology at Rutgers University and currently serves on the board of Pedagogy. Barrios is a frequent presenter at professional conferences, and the author of Emerging.