They+Say+I+Say


 * // They Say, I Say //**** Argumentative Writing Templates **
 * introduction ||
 * __Make a Quotation Sandwich__**

Since quotations do not speak for themselves, it is important to build a frame around them so you can do the speaking for them. Make a “quotation sandwich” [introduction—quotation—explanation]. Introduce the quotation adequately by explaining who is speaking and setting up what the quotation says. Then follow up by explaining why you consider the quoted material important and what you believe it means.
 * quotation ||


 * explanation ||


 * __Introducing Something Implied or Assumed__**
 * Although X does not say so directly, she/he apparently assumes that __________________.
 * While they rarely admit as much, _______________ often take for granted that _______________.


 * __Introducing An Outgoing Debate__**
 * In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been ________________. On the one hand, ____________ argues _______________. On the other hand, ______________even contends __________________. The most sensible view is clearly that ________________ because_____________.


 * When it comes to the topics of _____________, most people will readily agree that ________________.


 * Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of _______________. Whereas some are convinced that __________________, others maintain that _________________.


 * Defenders of ___________ cannot have it both ways. Their assertion that ____________ is contradicted by their claim that_____________.


 * __Capturing Authorial Action__**
 * X acknowledges that _________________.
 * X agreed that _________________.
 * X argues that_________________.
 * X complains that _________________.
 * X demonstrates that _________________.
 * X emphasizes that _________________.


 * __Disagreeing, with Reasons__**
 * X is mistaken because he/she overlooks _________________.
 * X’s claim that _________________ rests upon the questionable assumption that _________________.
 * X’s view that _________________ is faulty because, as recent research has shown, _________________.
 * By focusing on _________________, X overlooks the deeper problem of _________________.
 * X claims _________________, but that goes without stating. Anyone familiar with _________________ has long known that _________________.


 * __Agreeing—with a Difference__**
 * X is surely right about _________________ because, as he/she may not be aware, recent studies have shown that _________________.
 * X’s theory of _________________ is extremely useful because it sheds insight on the difficult problem of _________________.
 * It is true that _________________, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe _________________.


 * __Agreeing and Disagreeing Simultaneously__**
 * Although it is true that _________, his/her overall conclusion that _________________ cannot be accepted because _________________.
 * Although much of what X says is incorrect, his/her final conclusion that _________________ makes perfect sense.
 * Though one could concede that _________________, it is still important to understand that _________________.
 * X is correct that _________________, but she seems to be on more dubious ground when she/he states ____________.


 * __Verbs for Introducing Quotations__**

__Verbs for Making a Claim__ __Verbs for Expressing Agreement__ argue insist acknowledge endorse assert observe admire extol believe remind agree praise claim report reaffirm celebrate the fact that emphasize suggest corroborate support do not deny verify

__Verbs for Questioning or Disagreeing__ __Verbs for Making Recommendations__ complain question advocate implore complicate refute call for plead contend reject demand recommend contradict renounce encourage urge deny repudiate exhort warn deplore the tendency to disavow

When discussing cited sources, use PRESENT TENSE.
 * __MLA Requirements__**

In X’s view, “____________” (p#). //In Matt Mason’s view, “DCHS is the best school in the state” (32).//
 * Parenthetical Documentation**

Several writers agree it is important “_________” ( author’s last name p#). //Several writers agree it is important “to maintain an academic tone throughout” (Gunter 188).// Research indicates that “________” (“if no author, use first word of title” p#). //Research indicates that “more than 2/3 of the class of 2012 scored higher than the state average on the ACT” (“School” 76).//


 * Note:** The word in parenthesis is always the **first word** that appears in the entry of the Works Cited page. Do not use the author’s last name or title if you have included it in the introduction of the quotation.

Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. //They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.// New York:W. W. Norton & Company, 2006. Print.
 * Resources**

Modern Language Association of America, The. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Print.