CHAPTER 1“They Say”: Starting with What

Others Are Saying

Dr. X’s Mistake 1. The chapter begins with a brief

story about Dr. X, a researcher who is presenting his thesis to a conference. According to the editors, what is so unusual about his speech, and what is the important lesson to be learned?

Answer: Dr. X never states why he needs to be

stating his thesis. He isn’t clear about what he is responding to!

The lesson learned: A writer needs to indicate clearly not only his thesis, but also what larger conversation the thesis is responding to.

Audience first! 2. Another lesson is to be

learned: If a writer wants to keep her audience engaged, what must she do?

Answer: She must consider and pay attention to

order! First, she should start with “what others are

saying” by summarizing as soon as she can what she is responding to. Then she can introduce her own ideas.

The editors suggest that writers avoid delaying this explanation—wait no longer than the first couple of paragraphs of an essay!

Introductions3. What is the best way to introduce what

others are saying?

Answer: The best way to introduce what others

are saying is by summarizing the author’s argument.

Then continue to remind readers of that argument as your own argument unfolds.

Templates for introducing“They Say”

4. What are some conventional ways of introducing what others are saying?

Answer: A number of researchers have recently

suggested that… It has become common today to

dismiss… In their recent work, Y and Z have offered

harsh critiques of _______ for _________.

Note: Of course these can be fine-tuned to fit exactly how you want to use them. If Y and Z aren’t offering critiques, then don’t say they are and use a different verb instead!

Templates for introducing“They Say”

5. What are some ways of introducing something implied or assumed?

Answer: X apparently assumes that ____________. While they rarely admit as much, _____ often

take for granted that ________. Ex: While they rarely admit as much, parents

often take for granted that their kids can actually help families through tough situations.

These templates help you think analytically—beyond the explicit but more so their unstated assumptions.

Templates for introducing“They Say”

6. What is a way of introducing an ongoing debate?

Answer: In discussions of X, one controversial

issue has been ________. On the one hand, _______ argues________. On the other hand, _________contends _______. Others even maintain ___________. My own view is ______________.

Chapter 1 Review1. When you enter a conversation, you

must always introduce to whom or what you are responding.

2. Do this as soon as you can, before you state your own argument.

3. To introduce what others are saying, summarize their argument.