They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing
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Book Brief
They Say I Say
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 2006208
Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction
•
Education2010s
•
Language2006
W. W. Norton & Company
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
They Say/I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is an academic writing reference designed for student writers. The text introduces essential rhetorical strategies through 14 chapters divided into four parts, focusing on summarizing others' arguments, asserting one's views, enhancing clarity, and applying techniques to specific contexts. With practical exercises and templates, the book equips students to navigate academic writing with precision and confidence.
Informative
Challenging
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
6,685 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
They Say I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is widely praised for its clear framework that aids students in academic writing. Many find its templates practical for structuring arguments. However, some critics feel it can be formulaic and may limit creativity. Overall, it is considered a valuable tool for novice writers.
Who Should Read They Say I Say?
A reader who would enjoy They Say I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is likely a student or academic seeking to improve their argumentative writing skills. Comparable to The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, this guide focuses on mastering the art of persuasive writing in academics.
6,685 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A coauthor of the book and a lecturer in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who regularly coteaches with Gerald Graff and is involved in Argument-Centered Education (ACE). She works alongside Graff to focus on writing and communication.
A contributor to the book and a professor of biology at Kenyon College, bringing expertise in scientific writing. He adapts Graff and Birkenstein’s approaches to scientific contexts, offering insights into structuring scientific papers.
A contributor to the book, serving as a Social Sciences Librarian and adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey. She applies Graff and Birkenstein’s methods to social science writing and explains the role of literature reviews in the field.
208
Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction
•
Education2010s
•
Language2006
W. W. Norton & Company
Adult
18+ years
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