Blog Post They Say, I Say: Part 1

“They say”: starting with what others are saying

Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein talk about a method that helps you set a platform for what you will speak about in your passage. Responding to what “they say.” This gives your writing a point and helps the reader understand the passage better. Continue to refer back to what they say throughout the story, it lets the reader understand both sides of the argument and the end results. Another way to achieve this is by opening with a debate between views. This will help you understand the topic your are dealing with and how to better respond. It also leaves room for you to decide where you stand and what you want to talk about.

What I have learned: Something I took away from this passage is when starting off with what others are saying will help the reader understand what they are reading and makes the story have an actual outcome. Also, including multiple views in your writing can help develop the idea better especially when you refer to them throughout your text.

“Her point is”: the art of summarizing

In this passage Graff and Birkenstein speak about summarizing. Summarizing is a tool that you use to focus the attention on your ideas as the writer. When preparing a summary you want to gather enough information on the author to be able to actually summarize their work. Always focus on your ideas and use their summary to setup a base for your topic so it could be better understood. Do not allow this to take up most of your writing. Also, when writing remember to expand on your “verbs” when speaking about different actions. For example, if you have already used the word “agree” in your passage you would want to pick a different word such as “concur” so it does not sound repetitive and get boring. Just remember when to use them.

What I have learned: A summary is useful but can also drain your writing if it starts to over power your ideas. Only write summaries to highlight what you the writer is saying. Also, use more suitable verbiage when using verbs so your writing does not become repetitive. A summary should emphasize a bigger idea.

“As he himself puts it” the art of quoting

Graff and Birkenstein talk about the different aspects that factor in with quoting. Quotations are needed in your text when writing but they are only useful if introduced and explained correctly. Not understanding how to pick a quotation can weaken your text. You have to consider the relevance of the quote you want to insert in your text and if you can explain it properly. Also, never forget to mention where the quote is coming from. By adding quotes, it gives your text an “amount of credibility” especially when dealing with other people’s ideas or thoughts. If you use to many quotes it will overpower your text and your ideas begin to get lost. If you do not use enough quotes you can leave the reader curious and wanting more information. Learn how to add a quote to your text and how to explain it further.

What I have learned: I understand that not knowing the proper way to explain a quote can make the quote useless. Some readers do not understand the quote without an explanation because not all readers think like the author. Your quotes might change from your rough draft to your final draft because you might find better quotes that are more suitable with your text and it is okay.