Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is needed to give academic writing a point?
What is needed to give academic writing a point?
What should writers include in their second paragraph of a short essay?
What should writers include in their second paragraph of a short essay?
The conversation to which they are responding.
What is Graff and Birkenstein's suggestion for entering the conversation?
What is Graff and Birkenstein's suggestion for entering the conversation?
Summarize what 'they say' first.
Writers should remind readers about the conversation periodically in academic writing.
Writers should remind readers about the conversation periodically in academic writing.
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What should writers state together as a unit?
What should writers state together as a unit?
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What is OK to delay in your essay?
What is OK to delay in your essay?
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What indicates something about the arguments of others?
What indicates something about the arguments of others?
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Summarizing others' views has no added benefit.
Summarizing others' views has no added benefit.
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What should you ensure if beginning an essay without summarizing others' views?
What should you ensure if beginning an essay without summarizing others' views?
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What is considered 'good writing' according to Graff and Birkenstein's book?
What is considered 'good writing' according to Graff and Birkenstein's book?
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What are return sentences?
What are return sentences?
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What is Graff and Birkenstein's central idea?
What is Graff and Birkenstein's central idea?
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Study Notes
Academic Writing Essentials
- Academic writing requires a clear thesis to engage in ongoing scholarly discussions.
- Introducing the broader conversation is crucial for providing context to your thesis.
Paragraph Structure
- In a short essay, the second paragraph is the latest point at which the conversation should be explained.
- Early engagement with existing discourse strengthens your argument.
Entering the Conversation
- Summarizing opposing viewpoints first is a recommended strategy to join the scholarly conversation.
- This approach aligns with Graff and Birkenstein's methodology for effective discourse.
Reader Engagement
- Periodically reminding readers about the ongoing conversation maintains clarity and relevance in academic writing.
- This technique helps anchor the reader's understanding throughout the piece.
Clarifying Positions
- Clearly stating your position alongside the counterarguments enhances the coherence of your argument.
- Presenting these elements together as a unit strengthens the argumentative structure.
Delaying Elaborations
- Detailed elaboration on ideas being responded to can be postponed, but it should not be neglected entirely.
- A balance between response and elaboration facilitates smooth narrative progression.
Writing Strategies
- Writers can support, oppose, amend, complicate, or qualify others’ arguments, offering a nuanced perspective.
- Using these strategies enriches the dialogue surrounding the primary subject.
Benefits of Summarizing
- Summarizing others’ viewpoints allows the writer to leverage existing frameworks, easing the burden of framing the issue.
- This method enhances clarity and supports the effectiveness of the argument.
Crafting Openings
- Begin essays by ensuring that the introduction illustrates the views being addressed, leading readers directly into the argument.
- Minimum steps should be employed to transition smoothly into discussion.
Good Writing Redefined
- The traditional notion of "good writing" as isolated logic is challenged; engaging with existing discourse is essential.
- Emphasizing dialogue with other writers encourages a more credible and dynamic narrative.
Re-presenting Ideas
- Return sentences that reintroduce motivating "they say" concepts help reinforce the context for readers.
- This technique ensures that ongoing conversations remain at the forefront of the discussion.
Central Theme
- Graff and Birkenstein emphasize the importance of starting with existing dialogues and keeping them visible throughout the writing process.
- Continuous engagement with others’ ideas fosters a richer academic discussion.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts from Chapter 1 of 'They Say I Say'. You'll learn essential terms related to academic writing, including thesis development and understanding the conversation in essays. Test your knowledge with these flashcards to enhance your writing skills.
