Introduction to They Say, I Say

Summary

The 'They Say, I Say' book teaches how to craft strong arguments by engaging with existing discussions. The video explains that before forming an argument, you must understand what others have said on the topic ('They Say') and then add your own perspective ('I Say'). The book emphasizes argumentation as a dialogue, using examples and templates to help students structure their ideas in academic writing. The video guides students on how to listen to different viewpoints, respond thoughtfully, and create well-reasoned essays, building on prior conversations around a topic.

Takeaways

• 📚 The book 'They Say, I Say' focuses on how to effectively form and present arguments in academic writing.
• 📝 Part one of the book emphasizes understanding what others have said about a topic before developing your own argument.
• 🎯 The book teaches that arguing is not about presenting isolated thoughts but responding to ongoing conversations and debates.
• 🗣️ The metaphor of a conversation or a party is used to illustrate how you join a discussion in progress with your own contribution.
• 🔍 Step one in academic writing is understanding 'They Say'—what others have said about the topic.
• 💡 The book encourages a 'Double Dutch' analogy, suggesting that writers must first observe and understand before jumping into an argument.
• 💬 The 'I Say' portion focuses on how you respond to what others have said, using various approaches like agreement, disagreement, or mixed responses.
• 🎨 Templates provided in the book help structure arguments, making it easier to translate ideas from your head to paper in a coherent manner.
• 📖 Examples from famous texts, such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' demonstrate how to respond to arguments effectively.
• 📝 The exercises help students practice forming arguments using templates, ensuring they develop critical thinking and organized writing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the book *They Say, I Say*?

The book *They Say, I Say* focuses on how to construct arguments by first understanding what others are saying about a topic (they say) and then forming and presenting one's own perspective (I say).

Why is it important to start with 'they say' before presenting your argument?

It's important to start with 'they say' because it helps to situate your argument within an ongoing conversation. Understanding what has already been said allows you to respond to it, rather than presenting your views in isolation.

How does the book describe the process of argumentation?

The book describes argumentation as a dialogue, not a monologue. You must listen to what others have said before contributing your ideas, much like entering a conversation or a game like Double Dutch, where you need to catch the rhythm before jumping in.

What metaphor does the speaker use to explain the importance of understanding an argument before contributing to it?

The speaker uses the metaphor of entering a party late where others are already engaged in a heated discussion. You need to listen and understand the flow of the conversation before contributing your own ideas.

What is the 'Dr. X' example mentioned in the transcript, and what lesson does it teach about argumentation?

The 'Dr. X' example refers to a presentation where the speaker praised Dr. X without explaining why this was relevant until later. This teaches that you should clarify why you're discussing a topic and what others have said about it before presenting your own argument.

What are some sources for 'they say' arguments that the book mentions?

Sources for 'they say' arguments can include things you’ve heard from others, books or essays, online sources, claims made by public figures or organizations, and popular philosophies or political beliefs.

Can you give an example of how 'they say' and 'I say' work in practice?

An example provided is: 'They say baseball is the best sport in America.' The 'I say' response could be: 'Even though baseball doesn't have the action football has, it is still America's greatest pastime.' This shows how you can agree, disagree, or build on an argument.

What role do templates play in *They Say, I Say*?

Templates in *They Say, I Say* help structure arguments by providing sentence formats that guide how to incorporate 'they say' and 'I say' into writing, making it easier to transform thoughts into a structured, academic form.

How does the book suggest handling mixed feelings about an argument?

The book provides templates for expressing mixed feelings, such as: 'He claims that __, and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I agree that __, but on the other hand, I still insist that __.' This helps convey complex views.

What is the purpose of the writing exercise given at the end of the introduction?

The writing exercise is designed to help students think about a topic they are interested in, identify what others say about it, and formulate their own responses, preparing them to write an editorial and proposal using the 'they say, I say' framework.