“They Say”
CHAPTER ONE
STARTING WITH WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
GETTING INTO THE
CONVERSATION
• Chapter 1 begins with an implied “they
say”: that a claim can stand on its own.
The authors counter that good
academic writing responds to what
others are saying.
• A writer needs to indicate clearly not
only his thesis, but also what larger
conversation the thesis is responding
to.
• Introduce what “they say”
• What larger question are you
answering?
INTRODUCING WHAT "THEY SAY"
Templates to introduce what “They Say”
Many people assume that ________________ .
EX: Many people assume that a good life is easily defined as having a good job, earning a lot of money, or finding
fame. However, authors such as Ricard would argue that there is more to a good life than just chasing fame and
fortune.
2. It is often said that ________________.
EX: It is often said that the good life is hard to measure, but as Waldinger discusses the Harvard University study on
happiness, we learn that this is false and that we can define what a good life is (Waldinger, 00:01:15 - 00:02:00).
MAKING WHAT “THEY SAY”
SOMETHING YOU SAY
When I was a child, I used to think that ___________________.
EX: When I was a child, I used to think that happiness was being married, having two kids, a dog, and a good-paying
job. Now, after reading the Dalai Lama’s theories on happiness, I am questioning this ideal.
2. Although I should know better by now, I cannot help thinking that ________________.
EX: Although I should know better by now, I cannot help thinking that a life well planned may not be a life worth
living. Hunter S. Thompson argued…
INTRODUCING A DEBATE
In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been ________. On the one hand, _______ argues________. On the
other hand, _________contends _______. Others even maintain ___________. My own view is ______________.
EX: In writings on the good life, it has been stated that you should reflect upon and plan your life. On the one hand,
Mourdoukoutas argues that we should examine our life and experience “true” pleasure. On the other hand, Hunter S.
Thompson contends that “being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube” (qtd.
in Klosowski). My own view is that life is full of balance, and we can take risks while still reflecting on the life we have
lived.
“Her Point Is”
CHAPTER TWO
THE ART OF SUMMARIZING
SUMMARIZING
AN ARGUEMENT
• In order to argue persuasively with
others, then summarizing others’
arguments and ideas is essential
• A good summary balances what the
original author is saying with the
writer’s own point of view
• To write a good summary, you need to
put yourself in the writer’s shoes
Signal Verbs that Fit
the Action
• Try to avoid the “bland formula” of saying things
like:
• “she says”
• “they believe”
Though this formula can work, but it “often fails
to reflect accurately what’s been said” (38).
It is sometimes appropriate to use those phrases
but consider how more tailored and lively
language might better suit your paper.
INTRODUCING SUMMARIES & QUOTATIONS
She advocates a radical revision of the juvenile justice system.
They celebrate the fact that a good life is one that is filled with strong relationships (Waldinger).
, he admits.
VERBS FOR INTRODUCING SUMMARIES &
QUOTATIONS
• Verbs for Making a Claim
• Argue
• Assert
• Believe
Insist
Observe
Remind us
Claim
Report
Emphasize
Suggest
• Verbs for Expressing Agreement
•
•
•
•
Acknowledge
Agree
Reaffirm
Support
Endorse
Praise
Corroborate
Do not deny
Admire
Extol
Celebrate the fact that
Verify
VERBS FOR INTRODUCING SUMMARIES &
QUOTATIONS
• Verbs for Questioning or Disagreeing
•
•
•
•
Complain
Question
Contradict
Renounce
Qualify
Contend
Reject
Repudiate
Complicate
Refute
Deny
Deplore the tendency to
• Verbs for Making Recommendations
• Advocate
• Plead
• Encourage
Implore Call for
Demand
Urge
Exhort
Warn
Recommend
“As He Himself
Puts It”
CHAPTER THREE
“THE ART OF QUOTING
GETTING INTO THE
CONVERSATION
• Chapter 3 introduces the strategies of
quoting what others say.
• Frame your quotes. Don't “hit and
run”!
• Quote “Sandwich”.
THE “QUOTATION SANDWICH”
• The introduction to a quote is the “top piece of bread”
• The quote is the “meat”
• The explanation is the “bottom piece of bread”
INTRODUCING A QUOTE
X himself writes, “_________________”.
EX: Thompson himself says, “So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: Who is the happier man, he
who has braved the storm of life and lived, or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?” (qtd in
Klosowski).
X agrees when she writes “__________________”.
EX: Klosowski agrees with Thompson when he writes, “We like to think that staying home, staying at the same job,
and being safe leads to a happier life. But for many, that’s recipe for resentment”.
EXPLAINING A QUOTE
X’s point is that _________________.
EX: Thompson states, “So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: Who is the happier man, he who
has braved the storm of life and lived, or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed” (qtd. In
Klosowski). Thompson’s point is that it is better to throw caution to the wind and take chances in life versus the
man who keeps it safe and straightforward and never knows risk or adversity.