“They Say” that First Impressions are Important

 

Chapter 1

Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein share with us, the importance of introducing counterclaims in a presentation and/or argumentative discussion. We learn that although expertise on a topic is necessary for making a claim, providing a point to your topic is of utmost importance. Graff and Birkenstein advise readers to go against the common writing style by showing how to effectively introduce not only your own argument, but also that of which you are responding to early in your piece. As a writer, speaker, or even arguer for that matter, it is crucial to provide a counter to your claim early in order to maintain the attention of the audience. It gives a reason to read, a reason to listen, a reason to believe you. By showcasing your knowledge as well as that of a critic, you present “what is motivating your argument.” (21) Providing an opposing claim and elaborating on it gives you, the speaker, validation. It shows not only your credibility, but also that you have enough confidence in your belief to “state you own position and the one it’s responding to together.” (21)

Things I’ve Learned:
From this chapter, I learned how important the order in which information is presented can be in effectively stating a claim. I also learned how much easier showcasing your knowledge could be when you provide an opposing opinion to create the foundation for which you are about to build your argument against. The opposition makes understanding where it is that you are deriving your message from and allows the point to be delivered with more understanding than questioning.

Chapter 2

Graff and Birkenstein stress the importance of summarizing a conflicting piece in a non-biased, and almost enlightening way. We are introduced to the many ways of properly incorporating outside opinions and information with that of one’s own research and knowledge. People tend to summarize incorrectly, by chastising a work that they are referencing, which “undermines your credibility with readers.” (32) It is important to balance your response with that of the opposing author in order to effectively shine light on your claim. As writers, Graff and Birkenstein advise us of the common mistake, summarizing “a given author on one issue even though their text actually focuses on another.” (35) By properly summarizing another work’s information, you can successfully set up your own argument and emphasize to the audience what claim you are trying to make.

Things I’ve Learned:

In this chapter I learned the importance of not overly incorporating your opinion into your argument. I experienced the ineffectiveness that biased writing has on developing an idea and establishing credibility with an audience. Summarizing another work can pose problems in writing for we can begin to get lost in the words of the opposing piece and therefore forget the point that we are trying to make.

Chapter 3

In chapter 3 of They Say, I Say, we the readers learn the importance of quotes in supporting one’s evidence. Graff and Birkenstein present many different ways to introduce quotes effectively, rather than dropping them. Writers are advised on how to properly integrate quotes with their own words, making the quote useful in presenting their point. Choosing appropriate quotes from a source is very important, for even though you may believe that what is taken is relevant, we are reminded that “as your text develops, that your focus can change and the quotation no longer works.” (44) Graff and Birkenstein also express the usefulness of explaining a quote. By doing so, you assure to the reader “that the quotation is being used purposefully,” that it belongs in your work in support of your argument. (48) As long as you are not overanalyzing a quote (although it is better to overanalyze than under analyze), providing textual evidence goes a long way in giving a “tremendous amount of credibility” to you as a writer. (42)

Things I’ve Learned:

From this chapter I was taught the importance of using textual evidence in developing an argument. I have learned how far quoting from a source can go in developing credibility and staking one’s claim. Graff and Birkenstein propose options for writers to incorporate quotes both in introduction and explanation, some of which I have not considered in the past.