They Say I Say
Quote 1: "We proceeded from the premise that all writers rely on certain stock formulas that they themselves didn't invent-and that many of these formulas are so commonly used that they can be represented in model templates that students can use to structure and even generate what they can say" (Pg 20).
From this quote I can understand that this textbook will most likely be a compilation of what authors Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein believe to be the best writing tools used by other professional writers. The only question/concern I have with this statement is that will these tools be as beneficial for the students as it is for professional writers? I believe students have very different processes when it comes to writing. Sticking to specific formulas of writing can possibly hinder students writing ability rather than help them.
Quote 2: "Yet despite this growing consensus that writing is a social, conversational act, helping student writers actually participate in these conversations remains a formidable challenge" (Pg 18).
I agree with this quote. I strongly believe that writing can be used as a tool to converse with the rest of the world on topics important to you. Writing can also be used to establish a conversation and get the rest of the world interested in what you have to say. I believe that writing is important and is one of our languages most useful tool. However, I can also understand why it is challenging to engage students in academic writing. It always depends on the topic when it comes to writing. A topic of interest will draw in the students and irrelevant topics will just increase students unwillingness to write.
Quote 3: "And if we are right that effective arguments are always in dialogue with other arguments, then it follows that in order to understand the types of challenging texts assigned in college, students need to identify the views to which those texts are responding" (Pg 22).
In this quote Graff and Birkenstein explain that in order for students to understand academic work in college, they first need to understand the how the author views a specific type of situation and what they are contributing to the conversation. I believe this is really important because I wouldn't be able to respond to an authors work if I don't understand what their view on a subject is.
Quote 4: "If there is any one point that we hope you will take away from this book, it is the importance not only of expressing your ideas ("I say") but of presenting those ideas as a response to some other person or group ("they say")" (Pg 31).
I agree with this quote. It it always important to include your own views and what you have to say about a topic. However, you will not be taken seriously if you do not include any other views from other writers. You should always present your views as if you were entering into a larger conversation. Your adding what you have to say and possibly new information to an already started conversation.
From this quote I can understand that this textbook will most likely be a compilation of what authors Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein believe to be the best writing tools used by other professional writers. The only question/concern I have with this statement is that will these tools be as beneficial for the students as it is for professional writers? I believe students have very different processes when it comes to writing. Sticking to specific formulas of writing can possibly hinder students writing ability rather than help them.
Quote 2: "Yet despite this growing consensus that writing is a social, conversational act, helping student writers actually participate in these conversations remains a formidable challenge" (Pg 18).
I agree with this quote. I strongly believe that writing can be used as a tool to converse with the rest of the world on topics important to you. Writing can also be used to establish a conversation and get the rest of the world interested in what you have to say. I believe that writing is important and is one of our languages most useful tool. However, I can also understand why it is challenging to engage students in academic writing. It always depends on the topic when it comes to writing. A topic of interest will draw in the students and irrelevant topics will just increase students unwillingness to write.
Quote 3: "And if we are right that effective arguments are always in dialogue with other arguments, then it follows that in order to understand the types of challenging texts assigned in college, students need to identify the views to which those texts are responding" (Pg 22).
In this quote Graff and Birkenstein explain that in order for students to understand academic work in college, they first need to understand the how the author views a specific type of situation and what they are contributing to the conversation. I believe this is really important because I wouldn't be able to respond to an authors work if I don't understand what their view on a subject is.
Quote 4: "If there is any one point that we hope you will take away from this book, it is the importance not only of expressing your ideas ("I say") but of presenting those ideas as a response to some other person or group ("they say")" (Pg 31).
I agree with this quote. It it always important to include your own views and what you have to say about a topic. However, you will not be taken seriously if you do not include any other views from other writers. You should always present your views as if you were entering into a larger conversation. Your adding what you have to say and possibly new information to an already started conversation.
Mariel- great blog, you bring up good critical questions through your quotes which also act as a summary of main points. I think the authors points are that their tools are meant to act as a bridge to help students make the move to a more professional level. I also hear your second comment, and it's my hope through this class that you write about topics that are truly interesting to you and give you a sense that you're sharing an important opinion with the world...cheers, glad to have you.
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