They Say I Say Summary
In the introduction to “They say/I say”: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to engage students to critically and academically think at the college level and in life. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer students the necessary means to formulate and structure their writing in an effective manner. As the authors themselves put it, "the underlying structure of effective academic writing--and of responsible public discourse--resides not just in stating our own ideas, but in listening closely to others around us, summarizing their views in a way that they will recognize, and responding with our own ideas in kind." Although some
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In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend will help and guide the students to better improve their writing skills and make them a more considerate and mindful writer, who is able to engage in intellectual discussions. For instance, I agree with the authors' statement that "Of course, someone might object that…but it does have the potential to job us out of our confront zones, to get us thinking critically about our own beliefs, and perhaps even change our minds.” In addition, these templates are not only useful to the average student taking English, but also provides new ways for students to get creative and allows them to critically think so they can engage in academic conversation. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that these templates are decreasing their creatively and individuality and hindering their competence to be innovative. Yet, I would argue that students could definitely use some extra help in their ability to critically think and express their ideas in an academic setting. Overall, then, I believe that presenting students with these templates, will benefit and aid students the understanding and skill to properly construct their own beliefs and ideas--an important point to make given that many students will use these templates since they have great access to it, such as exercise and examples in the
In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend will help and guide the students to better improve their writing skills and make them a more considerate and mindful writer, who is able to engage in intellectual discussions. For instance, I agree with the authors' statement that "Of course, someone might object that…but it does have the potential to job us out of our confront zones, to get us thinking critically about our own beliefs, and perhaps even change our minds.” In addition, these templates are not only useful to the average student taking English, but also provides new ways for students to get creative and allows them to critically think so they can engage in academic conversation. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that these templates are decreasing their creatively and individuality and hindering their competence to be innovative. Yet, I would argue that students could definitely use some extra help in their ability to critically think and express their ideas in an academic setting. Overall, then, I believe that presenting students with these templates, will benefit and aid students the understanding and skill to properly construct their own beliefs and ideas--an important point to make given that many students will use these templates since they have great access to it, such as exercise and examples in the