- “They say” : starting with what others are saying.
In the beginning of “They say, I say” Graff and Birkenstein discuss important key elements that could be used to help a writer to indicate clearly on what their thesis is. The key elements revolve around the fact that if the writer stated what “they said,” ( what others have commented about the said discussion) before inserting their own opinions then it would be easier for the reader to see where they are coming from. Graff and Birkenstein also mention that stating your response after what “they say,” can introduce the subject to a larger conversation and indicate whether you are supporting, opposing, amending, or qualifying. They introduced the readers to different types of writing tempalets that help with writing an introduction. This is important because it helps writers to effectively make their message clear to the reader whether they are introducing a standard view or introducing an ongoing debate. Many could disagree and say that these templates could restrict ones writing or creativity but they’re great for helping people get on the right track when it comes to getting their point across to the readers.
What I learned: In this chapter I learned about the importance of the order in which things are said and how it can help to keep your audience engaged. So it’s important that I explain what it is that I am responding too before offering the response or early in the discussion.
2. “Her point is” The art of summarizing
In this chapter Graff and Birkenstein state that in order to write a good summary it’s important for the writer to balance what the original author is trying to saying and the writer’s own focus. They say that when writing a summary you have to be consciously aware and respectful of what the original author is emphasizing while also summarizing them in light of your own text’s central argument. One of the tips they discussed that could help a writer with this is putting your self in the authors shoes, it could help the writer to inhabit the world-view of the original author. Graff and Birkenstein say that if a writer doesn’t suspend their beliefs then a summery can easily become biased and hurt ones credibility with the readers. It is important for the writer to give the reader enough context about the argument in order for the reader to asses its merits on their own.
What i learned: I learned that using bland formulas such as, “she says” or “they believe” could drain the passion out of the ideas im summarizing or it could fail reflect accurately whats being said.
3. “As He Himself Puts It” : The Art of Quoting
Graff and Birkenstein go over the importance of quoting and how you need to have a sense of what you want to do with them or how they can support the text where you will be using the quote. During the chapter they try to emphasize what “they say” has to be connected to what you say. So when the writer is using a quote they must choose a quote wisely that supports a specific part in the text and also have to be able to explain where the quote comes from and what it means. Graff and Birkenstein introduce us to several templates that could help the readers to successfully use quotes, the create a structure that makes it easier for a reader to understand why the author is using the quotation to begin with. The templates not only show the readers to introduce quotes but to explain them as well. This is important because if a quote doesn’t have a frame around it then it could be confusing to the reader and therefore the text could come of as confusing.
What I learned: In this chapter I learned the importance of the frame around quotations and to make sure that im not using a quote to prove that i’ve read the authors work but to instead make sure the quote is actually supporting my own opinion.
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