They Say, I Say Response

The "They Say, I Say" reading is a great example on how we as writers should write our argument papers. In the beginning of the essay it states how we should address the "they" in our writing. By "they" the author refers to the people who are skeptical, or those who disagree with your stance on a subject or matter. By pointing out who the "they" are in your paper it makes it easier for you to write your argument paper. But when you state who the "they" are you must as a writer "clearly indicate your thesis, but also what larger conversation that thesis is responding to". Because if you fail to do so it makes the audience wonder what you are talking about and makes them question all the things that you are saying. So if you want to keep your audience "engaged in your topic or conversation, a writer must explain what he or she is responding to-either before offering that response or, at least, very early in the discussion."

The next part of the essay "concentrates on the three most common and recognizable ways of responding: agreeing, disagreeing, or some combination of both". In this part of the essay the author is giving you great examples of disagreeing, agreeing, or a combination of both. He talks first about disagreeing. The author states that once you have made up your mind on what your position is on a subject such as disagreeing you must almost always "explain why". If you explain why you are disagreeing but in a dull response then that response would not get you far enough. You must either give your disagreeing a new life so that there is more meaning to it and who know might take on a new life. The author gives great templates on disagreeing which would help us writers a lot and would benefit our papers tremendously.

On the other hand if you agree with a statement then the author states that "even as you're agreeing, it is important to bring something new and fresh to the table, adding something that makes you a valuable participant in the conversation". For example bringing up something from past experience, or a situation not mentioned by the person, or any valuable information that you feel needs to be expressed that hasn't been expressed by the person.

But if your in a situation were you agree and disagree on a subject then the author states great ways how to go about writing a paper were your stance is a combination of both.

I felt that this reading was much more easier than the last reading and was a great reading to read at least for me. I felt that I gained a whole bunch of information from this reading which would help me in my argument paper. I didn't know that when writing an argument paper you have to address the "they" the "I say" I just thought from past teachers that you just have to state what your arguing and then explain as to why you either agree or disagree. I didn't know that there are many things in between that you must address in order to make your argument more credible.