LibGuides: ENG 125 AAY: Authority is Constructed &amp; Contextual

What is Authority?

Authority is constructed, meaning various communities may recognize different types of authority.
Authority is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.
Authority springs from author. Authors are seen to have expert knowledge on a topic, and are therefore deemed credible sources on that topic.

Counter Influence Strategies for Combating Information Disorder
There are hundreds of reports about disinformation, who does it and what policies institutions should adopt in order to make it harder for adversaries. But what can we do to minimize the weaknesses that antagonists seek to exploit?

Cross-referencing a source (a.k.a. Lateral Reading) is vital when establishing the credibility of a source/author

Give it a Try!

Read the article "Bullying at School: Never Acceptable"
Evaluate the source:
- Research the website's author/organization
  - Identify any possible bias
- Identify keywords & complete your own web search on this topic
- Find & verify a quotation in the article
- Search hyperlinks to other organizations/sources mentioned in the article to verify their authenticity
- Evaluate any advertisements on this website
Write a short essay which includes the following components:
- Discuss your lateral reading findings for each of the elements discussed above.
- If you were writing an evidence-based essay on school bullying, would you use this source?
- Based on your cross-reference research, why or why not?