I need to share this revelation I had in office hours yesterday. I'm a junior, and I've been writing essays for years. I thought I was pretty good at it. But my TA just pointed out something so obvious that I can't believe I never saw it.
She said my essays are just "I say" over and over. I say this is true. I say this is important. Here's my opinion. And she was right! I was just stating my own views without situating them in any kind of conversation.
She recommended this little book called "They Say / I Say" by Graff and Birkenstein, and honestly, it's blowing my mind. The whole idea is that a good essay enters an existing conversation. You have to summarize what "they say" (the sources, the common views, the debate) BEFORE you can say what "I say" (your own argument).
Some templates that are already helping me:
Anyone else use this framework? Got any favorite "moves" or templates that help you sound more academic? Drop them below!
She said my essays are just "I say" over and over. I say this is true. I say this is important. Here's my opinion. And she was right! I was just stating my own views without situating them in any kind of conversation.
She recommended this little book called "They Say / I Say" by Graff and Birkenstein, and honestly, it's blowing my mind. The whole idea is that a good essay enters an existing conversation. You have to summarize what "they say" (the sources, the common views, the debate) BEFORE you can say what "I say" (your own argument).
Some templates that are already helping me:
- Introducing a view: "Many scholars have assumed that X, but recent research suggests Y."
- Agreeing with a twist: "I agree with Smith that X is important, which is why we need to also consider Y."
- Disagreeing: "While Jones argues that X is the primary cause, this interpretation overlooks Y."
Anyone else use this framework? Got any favorite "moves" or templates that help you sound more academic? Drop them below!
