The First Day, of the Rest of
Your Life
The Introduction Paragraph:
Entering the Academic
Conversation
“They Say, I Say”
When we write, we must take into account
that it occurs not in a vacuum, but in
response to others. We must present our
ideas in response to another person or
group. This tells our reader why what we
are talking about is relevant to them and
insures we are not making random
arguments with no context.
How We Enter the Conversation:
The Lunch Table Analogy
Examples
“While many music
critics insists that race
played a large role in
Macklemore’s
success at the 2013
Grammy’s, I argue
that it was the quality
of music, including his
three hit singles, that
carried him to a
victorious night.”
1.) In this thesis, what
is the “they say” part
of the argument?
2.) In this thesis
statement, what is the
“I say” part of the
argument?
Examples:
“You deplore the
demonstrations taking
place in Birmingham. But
your statement, I am
sorry to say, fails to
express a similar concern
for the conditions that
brought about the
demonstrations” –Martin
Luther King Jr. from
Birmingham Jail
• What is the “they say”?
• What is the “I say”?
Adding a “They Say” To Our
Writing
The following statements all lack a “They
Say.” Work on your own or in pairs to rewrite the statements with a “they say.” If
you finish, write your own statement with a
“they say” and “I say.”
Statement 1
Romeo and Juliet is a movie about the
dangers of abusing power.
Helpful Templates:
• “When I was a child, I used to think that _______, but
after reading Romeo and Juliet as a teenager ________
• “At the same time that I believe_______, I also
believe______”
• “Conventional wisdom has it that Romeo and Juliet is
about ______, however, I believe it to be about______”
Statement 2
I am afraid that school uniforms will stifle
personal expression.
Helpful Templates
• “When I was a child, I used to think that _______, but
after reading extensively on the subject, I believe school
uniforms________.”
• “At the same time that I believe_______, I also
believe______.”
• “Conventional wisdom has it that school uniforms would
______, however, I believe they would________.”
“They Say, I Say”: Looking closely
at introduction paragraphs
Introduction Paragraph Example #1
Introduction Paragraph Ex: 2
Writing Your Own Introduction
Paragraph
Directions
1.) Write an introduction
paragraph based off one
of the prompts. Make
sure to include a “They
Say” and an “I Say.”
Paragraph should be at
least 4 sentences.
Prompts
1.) Is being under the
influence an excuse for
inappropriate actions
such as we see from
Huck’s dad in
Huckleberry Finn?
2.) When you have
completed your four
sentences, trade with
someone and read what
they have written. Can
you identify the “they say”
and “I say”?
2.) Do you believe in
superstition?
Introduction Paragraphs: Your
Papers
Should
• Include a “they say”
• Include an “I say”
• Should state your
argument/purpose of
your paper
Should Not
• Begin to provide
evidence for your
argument
• Should not include in
depth summary of
any of the pieces
Take 5-7 minutes to take out and read the
introduction to your papers. Underline the
“they say” part of the paragraph and circle
the “I say” paragraph. Do not have a “they
say,” “I say,” or both? It is okay! Make a
note of it on your paper, when we get a
chance to edit, you will be able to rework
your paragraph so that it has both.
Caution! Caution! Caution!
The “They Say, I Say” aspect of our paper
is not only essential to the our first
paragraph/thesis, it is essential to our
paper as whole; throughout your paper
you should be citing the arguments of
others in order to orient your own.