They Say I Say With Readings 3rd Edition Pdf

They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (3rd Edition) - A Comprehensive Guide

They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, now in its third edition, remains a cornerstone text for students navigating the complexities of academic argumentation. This guide isn't just about grammar or citation; it's about thinking strategically about how to enter academic conversations effectively. This comprehensive review will delve into the book's core tenets, exploring its key concepts and providing practical applications for enhancing your academic writing.

Understanding the "They Say / I Say" Template

The book's central premise revolves around a simple yet powerful formula: "They say...but I say..." This framework provides a structured approach to academic writing, urging students to first summarize the prevailing viewpoints on a topic ("they say") before introducing their own argument ("I say"). This approach avoids the common pitfalls of writing in a vacuum, ensuring your arguments are grounded in existing scholarship and directly engage with the ongoing academic debate.

The Importance of Contextualization

Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, the authors, strongly emphasize the significance of contextualization. Simply stating your opinion without acknowledging the broader conversation risks appearing uninformed or even arrogant. By clearly summarizing opposing or alternative viewpoints, you demonstrate intellectual humility and establish the relevance of your contribution. This also allows you to precisely pinpoint where your argument diverges from or builds upon existing knowledge.

Beyond Summary: Engaging with Sources Critically

The book moves beyond simple summarization. It guides readers on how to analyze and evaluate sources critically. This involves techniques like:

• Identifying assumptions: Understanding the underlying beliefs and values that shape an author's argument.
• Analyzing evidence: Evaluating the strength and validity of the evidence presented to support a claim.
• Recognizing biases: Identifying potential prejudices or preconceived notions that might influence an author's perspective.

By engaging with sources in this manner, your writing becomes more sophisticated and demonstrates a deeper understanding of the subject matter. You move beyond merely reporting what others have said to critically examining and interpreting their claims.

Key Moves in Academic Writing: A Detailed Exploration

The book outlines a series of crucial "moves" – rhetorical strategies – that are essential for effective academic writing. These moves facilitate clear communication and strong argumentation. Let's explore some of the most important ones:

1. Summarizing: The Art of Representing Others' Ideas Accurately

Accurate and concise summarization is paramount. The book provides practical templates and strategies for summarizing complex ideas effectively, avoiding both oversimplification and excessive detail. It stresses the importance of maintaining faithfulness to the original source while also making the summary relevant to your own argument.

Example: Instead of writing, "Smith argues about things," a more effective summary would be, "Smith argues that the rise of social media has significantly altered political discourse, leading to increased polarization."

2. Quoting: Using Evidence Effectively

Quoting directly from sources is crucial for supporting your claims and providing evidence for your arguments. The book provides guidance on selecting relevant quotes, integrating them smoothly into your writing, and explaining their significance. This includes using effective introductory phrases like:

• "As X puts it..."
• "In X's view..."
• "According to X..."

Furthermore, it highlights the importance of not just dropping quotes, but actively explaining their relevance to your argument. A quote without analysis is merely a decorative element.

3. Explaining Quotes: Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Argument

This section emphasizes the crucial step of explaining why a specific quote supports your argument. Simply inserting a quote isn't enough; you must demonstrate its relevance and how it advances your own claims. Techniques for effective explanation include:

• Connecting the quote to your own argument: Showing explicitly how the quote supports or refutes your point.
• Providing context: Explaining the circumstances under which the quote was made.
• Offering analysis: Breaking down the quote and explaining its key components.

4. Disagreeing, with Reasons: Constructing Counterarguments

Effectively disagreeing is a critical skill in academic writing. The book provides various strategies for formulating well-reasoned counterarguments, including:

• Disagreeing and explaining why: Clearly stating your disagreement and providing evidence or rationale to support your position.
• Using the "I disagree" method: Directly stating your disagreement, citing evidence, and explaining your counterargument.
• Disagreeing with part of what someone has said while agreeing with the rest: Acknowledging areas of agreement before highlighting the specific points of disagreement.

This approach emphasizes respectful and productive disagreement, acknowledging the validity of opposing viewpoints while maintaining a strong and well-supported counterargument.

5. Agreeing, with a Difference: Adding Nuance and Complexity

Simply agreeing with an author is often insufficient. The book encourages readers to agree with a difference, adding their own insights and expanding upon the author's argument. Techniques for doing so include:

• Adding additional evidence: Providing further support for the author's claims.
• Offering a different perspective: Expanding on the author's argument from a different angle.
• Applying the argument to a new context: Demonstrating the broader applicability of the author's ideas.

6. Entering Conversations: Finding Your Place in the Academic Discourse

This section is crucial for understanding how to integrate your voice into the ongoing academic conversation. It encourages self-reflection and understanding your role as a participant in the scholarly world. This includes:

• Identifying the dominant viewpoints in a field: Understanding the context in which you are engaging.
• Formulating a thesis statement: Clearly articulating your central argument.
• Developing a strong narrative: Constructing a compelling and persuasive argument.

7. Responding to Objections: Addressing Potential Counterarguments

Anticipating and addressing potential objections is crucial for constructing a robust argument. The book emphasizes the importance of:

• Identifying potential weaknesses in your argument: Assessing potential criticisms and addressing them proactively.
• Formulating counterarguments: Developing responses to counterarguments.
• Acknowledging limitations: Recognizing the boundaries of your argument's scope.

8. Making Claims: The Heart of Academic Argumentation

This section is dedicated to mastering the art of making effective claims – clear, concise statements of your argument. The authors stress the importance of:

• Developing strong thesis statements: Creating a central argument that guides your writing.
• Supporting your claims with evidence: Providing sufficient evidence to bolster your arguments.
• Using clear and concise language: Avoiding ambiguity and ensuring clarity.

Beyond the Core Concepts: Expanding Your Academic Writing Skills

The third edition expands upon previous iterations, offering updated examples and addressing contemporary challenges in academic writing. It includes:

• Increased emphasis on digital media: Addressing the integration of digital sources and the changing landscape of academic discourse.
• Guidance on writing in various disciplines: Providing tailored advice for different academic contexts.
• Enhanced exercises and templates: Offering more opportunities for practical application.

Conclusion: A Valuable Resource for Academic Success

"They Say / I Say" is more than a style guide; it's a comprehensive guide to critical thinking and effective academic writing. Its focus on strategic moves, templates, and the importance of entering conversations empowers students to write persuasively and participate meaningfully in the scholarly community. The third edition's updates and enhanced resources make it an even more valuable tool for navigating the complexities of academic argumentation, ensuring its continued relevance for students across various disciplines. By mastering the principles presented in this book, writers can significantly enhance their ability to communicate effectively, construct compelling arguments, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing academic debates. This invaluable resource will continue to shape how generations of students approach academic writing, strengthening their capacity for critical analysis and thoughtful contribution to the world of ideas.