They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing [Paperback]

Gerald Graff (Author), Cathy Birkenstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 22, 2009 | ISBN-10: 039393361X | ISBN-13: 978-0393933611 | Edition: Second Edition | Age Range: 1 and up

The book that demystifies academic writing, teaching students to frame their arguments in the larger context of what else has been said about their topic–and providing templates to help them make the key rhetorical moves.

The best-selling new composition book published in this century, in use at more than 1,000 schools, They Say / I Say has essentially defined academic writing, identifying its key rhetorical moves, the most important of which is to summarize what others have said (“they say”) to set up one’s own argument (“I say”). The book also provides templates to help students make these key moves in their own writing.

The Second Edition includes a new chapter on reading that shows students how to read for the larger conversation and two new chapters on the moves that matter in the sciences and social sciences. line drawings

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A brilliant book. . . . It’s like a membership card in the academic club.” (Eileen Seifert, DePaul University )

“Clear, fun to read, and students like it.” (Morani Kornberg-Weiss, University at Buffalo )

“They Say / I Say provides the keys to successful academic writing. I’ve seen this book transform mediocre college students into academic thinkers and writers.” (Benjamin Fischer, Northwest Nazarene University ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Gerald Graff, a Professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and 2008 President of the Modern Language Association of America, has had a major impact on teachers through such books as Professing Literature: An Institutional History, Beyond the Culture Wars: How Teaching the Conflicts Can Revitalize American Education, and, most recently, Clueless in Academe: How Schooling Obscures the Life of the Mind.

Cathy Birkenstein is a lecturer in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-director of the Writing in the Disciplines program. She has published essays on writing, most recently in College English, and, with Gerald Graff, in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Academe, and College Composition and Communication.  She has also given talks and workshops with Gerald at numerous colleges and is currently working on a study of common misunderstandings surrounding academic discourse.

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Second Edition edition (December 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039393361X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393933611
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Education & Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Writing Skills
  • #4 in Books > Business & Investing > Reference

More About the Author

GERALD GRAFF, a Professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and 2008 President of the Modern Language Association of America, has had a major impact on teachers through such books as Professing Literature: An Institutional History, Beyond the Culture Wars: How Teaching the Conflicts Can Revitalize American Education, and, most recently, Clueless in Academe: How Schooling Obscures the Life of the Mind.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Adults returning to school August 2, 2010

By KiKi

Format:Paperback

My English 101 professor had us use this book to make our papers pop! Some may say that this book is elementary, but I think that it is perfect for those that were never taught how to build an argument in an essay/research paper. I find the templates useful, and I will use them until the ideas start to kick in naturally. This is an excellent book, and I will always have a copy on hand.

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to use framework for writing a critically thought out scholarly argument October 22, 2010

By pyero

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In `"They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing', Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates that are designed to help students in college and beyond formulate scholarly arguments.
Specifically Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates that they offer provide a framework for the development of critical thinking skills. As the authors themselves put it "Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this book is its presentation of many such templates designed to help you successfully enter not only the world of academic thinking and writing but also the wider worlds of civic discourse and work".
Although some people believe that critical thinking and writing are more complex than any set of linguistic templates, Graff and Birkenstein insist that these deeper thought processes cannot be used without the means to express them in a clear, organized way.
For the most part I agree with their approach. In my view the types of templates that the authors recommend provide a good framework for constructing academic arguments. For instance this book review has been constructed using one of their templates! In doing so it has allowed me to put their approach to a practical test, which has proven to be worthwhile. Some might object on the grounds that I have used their words as my own, and therefore I am not being creative. Yet I would argue that the words that I have contributed are my own and have allowed me to express my own ideas.
Overall I believe that Graff and Birkenstein's approach is extremely useful and provides a simple framework upon which to build a critically thought out scholarly argument - an important point to make given the simplicity and ease of use of this "how to" manual.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great organizational tool for writers June 12, 2011

By S. Adams-Lanham

Format:Paperback

This was on the 'optional' list for my Practical Criticism class, but the 3rd time the prof mentioned it during lecture, I decided to buy it. I found it very worthwhile, and curiously, reading templates about how other people share their opinions made me more confident about using a strong voice in my papers. I went from B+ and A- papers to A and A+ ones...and feel as though my papers are MORE my own.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid introduction to argumentation, particularly for upper-level high school students and new college students September 11, 2012

By R. Miller

Format:Paperback

This book is an easy-to-follow introduction to argumentation. It drives home the point that, ultimately, your writing has to take part in dialogue with other opinions if it's going to mean anything. So, ignoring people who disagree with you is not an option. This teaches you how to address opposing arguments--and how you're allowed to find middle ground as well. Other rhetorical strategies, such as anticipating counter-arguments, are also covered. To help students along, there are some templates that show the ideas at use. Sample writings are also included.

The book also reinforces the idea that writing should matter to the reader, something academia doesn't always get across too well. In the real world, it's not about getting a good grade: it's about really making a statement. It's about getting your point out there! All writing should make its importance clear, and the book helps teach that.

This is all presented in a style that is easy to follow, and the short chapters are easy to digest. As a college freshman, I didn't find any of the information too surprising, so I might also recommend this book to AP-level high school students seeking to improve their writing skills. However, many students entering college still need to learn the basics of argumentation, so it's still appropriate for university-level classes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars good book December 21, 2011

By Timea

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is a short book mainly about how to write argumentative essays. Easy to follow and full with great examples on how to represent and conclude an argument in writing, but also a little repetitive that's why I would give 4 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Small, Informal, and Straightforward September 25, 2011

By Davis

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Not too deep but it's worth the price. It teaches some really useful methods for writing "informal" essays and speeches. Especially useful if you're trying to break from the traditional "5-paragraph" essay style that you learn in grade school, since this format isn't really used in the real world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent September 8, 2012

By MRG from Gettysburg

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

THEY SAY / I SAY is everything I expected from the highly respected Graff and Birkenstien. Take it from a 20+ year teacher of Advanced Placement English - this marvelous little book is one of the most useful writing aids I've ever read. I immediately put it to use with my classes. It shows students how to incorporate their own views into others' arguments in a seamless and sophisticated manner. The book offers an array of templates that students use to make their spoken and written responses to any text carry more weight. The chapters on new trends in science writing (no, it does NOT have to be in passive voice anymore) and the sections on the use of first person (gasp! YES -- it's ok now, we're not in the 1950s anymore) are wonderful. I love this book.