Review:
They Say I Say: The Moves That Matter In Academic Writing (by Gerald Graff & Cathy Birkenstein)
overall review score: 4.5
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score is between 0 and 5
They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is a practical guide aimed at helping students and writers develop effective academic writing skills. Through its emphasis on mastering specific rhetorical moves—such as summarizing, quoting, and responding—it provides templates and strategies to engage critically with sources, foster persuasive argumentation, and communicate ideas clearly. The book is designed to demystify academic writing, making it accessible and manageable for a broad audience.
Key Features
- Focus on core rhetorical moves essential to academic discourse
- Template-based approach to simplify complex writing techniques
- Emphasis on engaging with sources through summarizing, quoting, and responding
- Accessible language suitable for students at various levels
- Practical exercises and examples to reinforce learning
- Guidance on constructing coherent arguments within academic contexts
Pros
- Clear and user-friendly approach makes academic writing less intimidating
- Provides practical templates that can be directly applied in writing assignments
- Promotes critical thinking and engagement with sources
- Widely used as an instructional resource in educational settings
- Helps students develop confidence in their writing ability
Cons
- May oversimplify some aspects of complex writing processes
- Focuses heavily on conventional academic styles, which might limit creativity
- Some users might find the template approach restrictive if overused
- Less emphasis on genre-specific or stylistic variations beyond standard academic writing