Graff and Birkenstein in their book “They Say, I Say” explain the methods how to become an effective writer. The book is divided into three parts, the first part is called “They Say” in which it is explained how to engage into the voice of other people and how a writer should give his response over it. The first part has three chapters and the first chapter is about writing down other writers’ work and then giving one’s own ideas. The second chapter tells about the ways of writing a good summary and the third chapter focuses on “The Art of Quoting.
In this book “They Say, I Say”, Graff and Birkenstein tell the readers about important factors that could help them become valuable writers. In the first chapter of part one “They Say”, Graff and Birkenstein support their point of view by saying that “You must start with a detailed list of everyone who has written on your subject before you offer your own ideas” (19). It means that they suggest to write everything what other people have already written on a chosen topic or an issue as this will help clarify the main issue which writers want to talk about (They Say, I Say: Chapter Summary). Then they say that “Remember that you are entering a conversation and need to start with “what others are saying,” as the title of this chapter recommends, and then introduce your own ideas as a response” (18-19). Here, this implies that after writing about what others have written, the writers should reply with their own thoughts and declare their own arguments. In chapter two, the writers are advised to write a summary of their work satirically, in which they need to put their own material on another writer’s writing. Simply, writers can make their work more appealing when they put themselves in another person’s shoes. Moreover, they assert that it is better to use action verbs while starting the summary because action verbs would keep their audience engaged. Doing this, writers should avoid using phrases like “she says” and “she encourages.” In the third chapter, they suggest on focusing “The Art of Quoting.” If a writer quotes from someone’s saying, it will be a great way to communicate effectively because it adds into the credibility of the summary.
In conclusion, I would say that this part has perfectly described three main techniques of becoming an effective writer. Firstly, it tells the techniques like art of writing other’s views and then responding in one’s own ideas. Secondly, it teaches the art of summarizing information taken from someone else. Thirdly, it advocates that the art of quoting that how to use quotes in a work. Simply put, it teaches the key tools and techniques of writing that can make effective academic writing and public discourse.
Works Cited
“They Say, I Say: Chapter Summary.” BLHEDMAN. N.p., 25 June 2009. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. <http://blhedman6.blogspot.com/2009/06/they-say-i-say-chapter-summary.html>.
