Three ways to respond
Today we will discuss three general types of responses you
can have to another person’s opinion. The key word here is
response. We are going to look at ways to thoughtfully
respond to another persons opinion as opposed to merely
reacting (emotionally). Thoughtful responses can lead to
positive and productive conversations.
Today I will be sharing templates and transition words and
phrases from the book They Say I Say. The book focuses on
the use of the templates in writing, so sometimes I will
adjust the language to better reflect a conversational tone.
Agree
When agreeing it is important to still give reasons why
you agree. This not only furthers the conversation, but
also demonstrates you are truly listening and
connecting to what is being said. In short, you are
thoughtfully responding.
 “I agree that ____ because my experience confirms it.”
 “X is right about ____ because recent studies have
shown____.”
 “I agree that _____ because as we can see/learn/know
____.”
Disagree
The same rule for agreeing applies when you disagree.
Respectfully express your disagreement and be sure to
support and explain why you disagree.
 “I disagree with X’s view because research has
shown____”
 “I disagree with X’s view because in my experience
_____.”
 “I think X is wrong because s/he overlooks/doesn’t
take into account/doesn’t factor in ____.”
Agree and Disagree
This is a very popular response, and shows you are being
open to other ideas and opinions. It allows us to share what
we have in common and still express our differences.
 “Although I agree with X up to a point, I disagree with
_____.”
 Although I disagree with much that X says/_____, I do
agree that ____.”
 My feelings on the issue are mixed. On the one hand, I
agree that ____. On the other hand, I’m not sure if ____.”
 “My feelings on the issue are mixed. I do agree with X’s
opinion that _____. However, I find Y’s opinion about ____
and Z’s thoughts on ____ to be equally persuasive.”
Transitions
This week, we are focusing on the idea of transition
words that, in writing, connect independent
clauses/complete sentences.
There are various categories for these words and many
choices. Here I will share some of the more common
ones and offer links to larger lists.
 Addition: also, in addition, furthermore, additionally
 Example: for example/instance, specifically, after all
 Elaboration: actually, in other words, to put it another





way, in short
Comparison: likewise, similarly, along the same lines
Contrast: however, in contrast, on the other hand
Cause and Effect: therefore, as a result, consequently,
then, thus
Concession: granted, naturally, of course, admittedly
Conclusion: in sum/short, in conclusion, to sum up,
to summarize ( and the cause and effect transitions)
References
 The templates and transition lists were taken almost
exclusively from the Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein’s
2006 edition of “They Say/I Say” The Moves That Matter in
Academic Writing. A copy of the book can be found here:
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic862425.files/The
y%20Say%20I%20Say.pdf
 Second editions of the book can be downloaded here:
http://www.gobookee.org/they-say-i-say-graff-2nd-edition/
 The OWL of Purdue also has a great page that includes a
couple of extra categories:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/02/