Omar Mina

Prof. Julia Intawiwat

UWRT 1103
September 22, 2014
Exercise 2
In the Introduction to They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing,
Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to direct someones writing to
show the main ideas or the true meaning of what someone is saying. Specifically, Graff and
Birkenstien argue that the types of writing templates they offer help people who have trouble
finding enough to say, or are unsure of what to say. Their templets act a guide for someone to
follow so their ideas and opinions can be expressed. As the authors put it, The aim of the
templates, then, is not to stifle critical thinking but to be direct with students about the key
rhetorical moves that it comprises. Although some people believe that templates hinder
creativity and originality, Graff and Birkenstein insist that the templates represent stock in the
trade of sophisticated thinking and writing and that originality is the imaginative use of the
templates. In sum, then, their view is that people should use templates to think critically about
what they write to get others to think critically as well.
I agree with Graff and Birkenstein about what they say when it comes to templets. In my
view, the types of templets that the authors recommends are helpful in producing a work of
writing that portrays the message that I am trying to get across. For instance, stating your own
idea as a response to others is a great template for an argumentative point of view or to engage in
some way with other peoples views. This is basically the they say/ I say template that the

books name came from. Using this template helps flesh out ideas that you have about something
that someone else may not have even thought of. In addition, the ways of responding template
is helpful when agreeing or disagreeing. Examples of this include: She argues _______, and I
agree because ________. or Her arguments that ________ is supported by new research
showing that ________. This template not only shows that you agree or disagree, but it also
shows what or why you agree or disagree with. Some might object, of course, on the grounds
that templets curb creativity or that templates make writing less original. Yet I would argue that
templets really do help get your point across to other people because it is a guide that is made
specifically for that. Some may write without really touching on key points, but templates direct
the writing to state them. Overall, then, I believe that templets should be used when you want
someone to understand your ideas so they can agree or disagree with you an important point to
make given that writing style differs from person to person so giving them a resource to have a
common style helps everyone to understand what is said.