“They SayI Say” The Moves That Matter in Academic WritinginInTheySa.ppt

“They Say/I SayThe Moves That Matter in Academic WritingInsights and Templates from the book by Gerald Graff and Cathy BirkensteinPractice and Basic MovesThink about an activity that you do particularly wellPlaying a sport(basketball,football,field hockey,tennis)Playing an instrument(piano,guitar,flute)Artwork(drawing,painting,ceramics)Everyday activities(driving a car,brushing teeth,tying shoes)Practice and Basic MovesPerforming this activity depends on:Having learned a series of complicated movesPractice and repetitionSame applies to writing:Accomplished writers rely on established moves for communicating sophisticated ideas.Entering the ConversationBest Academic WritingDeeply engages in some way with other peoples views“write the voices of others into your text You enter a conversation,using what others say(or might say)as a launching pad or sounding board for your own ideas.Entering the ConversationIn the real world we make arguments because someone has said or done something(or perhaps not said or done something)and we need to respondEx.“I cant see why you like the Lakers so much.“I agree:it was a great film.“That argument is contradictory.Entering the ConversationWithout other peoples opinions there would be no reason to challenge,agree with,or otherwise respondthere would be no reason to argue at all.Entering the ConversationTo make an impact as a writer you make statements that are:LogicalWell-supportedConsistent*ALSO,you must find a way to enter a conversation with others viewswith something“they sayEntering the ConversationIf your argument doesnt identify the“they say you are responding to,then it probably wont make sense:What you are saying may be clear to the audience,but why you are saying it wont beExample:“The characters in The Sopranos are very complex.Entering the ConversationYour own argumentthe“I say moment of your textshould always be a response to the arguments of others.Ex.“Some say that The Sopranos presents caricatures of Italian Americans.In fact,however,the characters in the series are very complex.Entering the ConversationTemplates for agreement:She argues_,and I agree because_.Her argument that _ is supported by new research showing that _.Entering the ConversationTemplate for disagreeing:While she argues _,I disagree because_.The argument he proposes,while persuasive,is inaccurate because_.Entering the ConversationTemplate for conceding and rebutting:He claims that _,and I have mixed feelings about it.On the one hand,I agree that _.On the other hand,I still insist that_.Although I grant that _,I still maintain that _.To Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionParaphrase:“translates a short passage from a source into the writers own words(372 Writing Arguments).To Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionWhen to paraphrase:When wanting to use specific information from a brief passage in the sourceWhen you do not want to interfere with the flow of your own writing by inserting a quote*Be sure to avoid original writers grammatical structure and syntax.To Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionWhat to remember when paraphrasing:Suspend your own beliefs for a time by putting yourself in the position of the author whose passage your are paraphrasing,so as not to misrepresent their messageKeep in mind your own argument so it fits into your own agendaUse signal verbs that fit the action:“urge,“emphasize,“insistTo Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionWhen to Quote:When quoting will strengthen your own argumentComes from a respected authorityWhen summarizing an opposing/alternative view and want to use brief quotations to illustrate accuracyTo give readers a sense of the sources voiceTo analyze the writers choice of words or metaphorsTo Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionWhat to remember when quoting:Quote relevant passagesFrame every quotation(insert it into a“quotation sandwich)Statement introducing it as top slice of breadExplanation following it as the bottom slice of breadTo Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionTemplates for Introducing Quotations(top slice of bread):X states,“_.In Xs view,“_.According to X,_.To Paraphrase Or To Quote,That Is The QuestionTemplates for Explaining Quotations(bottom slice of bread):Basically,X is saying _.In other words,X believes _.In making this comment,X argues that _.Lets PracticeMovie:Genre:Criteria of a Good _ film:My opinion:(this film is/is not a good _ film.)Lets PracticeOpposing view:Reasons they giveYour response:“(Movie Reviewers Name)claims the movie_ is/does _.While this appears true,overall the film _.“Although _ suggests the film _ is _,when considering _ it becomes obvious that _.