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Gerald Graff
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They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing Fourth Edition

by Gerald Graff (Author), Cathy Birkenstein (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 4,128 ratings

The best-selling book that demystifies academic writing

This book identifies the key rhetorical moves in academic writing. It shows students how to frame their arguments as a response to what others have said and provides templates to help them start making the moves. The fourth edition features many NEW examples from academic writing, a NEW chapter on Entering Online Discussions, and a thoroughly updated chapter on Writing in the Social Sciences. Finally, two NEW readings provide current examples of the rhetorical moves in action.

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  1. ISBN-10
    0393631672
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0393631678
  3. Edition
    Fourth
  4. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  5. Publication date
    June 11, 2018
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.5 x 7.4 inches
  8. Print length
    352 pages
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"They Say / I Say"
"They Say / I Say"
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gerald Graff, Emeritus Professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and 2008 President of the Modern Language Association of America, has had a major impact on teachers through such books as Professing Literature: An Institutional History, Beyond the Culture Wars: How Teaching the Conflicts Can Revitalize American Education, and Clueless in Academe: How Schooling Obscures the Life of the Mind.

Cathy Birkenstein is a lecturer in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has published essays on writing in College English, and, with Gerald Graff in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Academe, and College Composition and Communication.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; Fourth edition (June 11, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393631672
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393631678
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.5 x 7.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 4,128 ratings

About the author

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Gerald Graff

Gerald Graff

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GERALD GRAFF, a Professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and 2008 President of the Modern Language Association of America, has had a major impact on teachers through such books as Professing Literature: An Institutional History, Beyond the Culture Wars: How Teaching the Conflicts Can Revitalize American Education, and, most recently, Clueless in Academe: How Schooling Obscures the Life of the Mind.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4,128 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for academic writing, particularly for beginning writers, and appreciate its simple, easy-to-read format that transforms writing into a less daunting task. Moreover, the templates receive positive feedback, with one customer noting they guide in structuring arguments. However, the value for money receives mixed reviews, with some finding it a great value while others consider it a subpar product. Additionally, several customers report that the book did not come with the required access code.

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25 customers mention "Writing ability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for academic writing, particularly for essays and class assignments, and consider it excellent for beginning writers.

"...English at a community college and this book has been invaluable for my students...." Read more

"It served its purpose. It was a required textbook for one of my college courses...." Read more

"...Overall very informative if you can get your students to actually open it." Read more

"...This book breaks down the art of academic writing in a refreshingly practical way, teaching readers how to engage in meaningful conversations by..." Read more

23 customers mention "Readability"18 positive5 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with a simple typeface that makes it accessible for students. They appreciate how it transforms writing into a less daunting task and helps improve persuasive writing, with one customer noting its effectiveness in teaching paraphrasing.

"...It demystifies academic writing, and presents the skills needed for essays in a straightforward and gently humorous way...." Read more

"Great way to teach your students how to paraphrase, rather than plagiarize. I guarantee only 1 in 15 will actually read it. How do I know this?..." Read more

"...It transforms writing from a daunting task into an engaging dialogue, empowering you to enter any intellectual conversation with purpose and poise...." Read more

"This is a great book with lots of suggestion and ideas for academic writing. This is just what I needed...." Read more

5 customers mention "Templates"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the templates in the book, with one mentioning they help structure arguments and another noting they provide multiple options for writing papers.

"...The templates are useful and give students a solid framework on which to hang their ideas...." Read more

"...The authors introduce simple, yet powerful templates that guide you in structuring arguments, framing counterpoints, and seamlessly integrating..." Read more

"...are organized intelligently and include plenty of examples and fill-in templates a reader can practice with...." Read more

"The book provided multiple templates to help with writing paper. It takes away the guess work." Read more

16 customers mention "Value for money"10 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value, with some finding it a great value while others consider it a complete waste of money.

"...total waste of money, but at least it was cheap." Read more

"...purchase this small reference book for about $30 and end up with a subpar product...." Read more

"...utility, if you plan to stay in school and will be writing, it’s worth the purchase...." Read more

"...Pretty decent book. Solid advice. Price was great compared to other books." Read more

6 customers mention "Code availability"0 positive6 negative

Customers report that the book does not include an access code.

"...It did not come with a code to access the textbook online as others have said, but that was fine as our professor only wanted us to have a hard..." Read more

"Book didn't come with the access code required... should disclose that in the description... Very disappointing." Read more

"Does NOT come with the code. You will have to get a free trial or spend 15 bucks to basically get through the class" Read more

"Did not come with a code & I purchased it brand new, that being said it looked used when I opened it...." Read more

A must have
4 out of 5 stars
A must have
“They Say / I Say” by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to strengthen their writing and argumentation skills. This book breaks down the art of academic writing in a refreshingly practical way, teaching readers how to engage in meaningful conversations by responding to the ideas of others. The authors introduce simple, yet powerful templates that guide you in structuring arguments, framing counterpoints, and seamlessly integrating quotes — making complex writing techniques accessible to beginners and a valuable refresher for seasoned writers. Whether you’re a student tackling essays or a professional crafting persuasive content, this book helps you articulate your thoughts with confidence and clarity. It transforms writing from a daunting task into an engaging dialogue, empowering you to enter any intellectual conversation with purpose and poise. Highly recommended for anyone serious about improving their writing voice!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • H. Secrest
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginning writers
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I teach freshman English at a community college and this book has been invaluable for my students. It demystifies academic writing, and presents the skills needed for essays in a straightforward and gently humorous way. The templates are useful and give students a solid framework on which to hang their ideas. I would highly recommend this book for high school students or freshman college students who may not have had a solid background in formal essay writing.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Heather Geehan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    It served its purpose. It was a required textbook for one of my college courses. We only used it for one assignment and then never looked at it again.
    It did not come with a code to access the textbook online as others have said, but that was fine as our professor only wanted us to have a hard physical copy to mark up with notes and whatnot, but buyer beware if you're looking for that.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mr. Dixon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for English, doorsteps, and to balance that wobbly table!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Great way to teach your students how to paraphrase, rather than plagiarize. I guarantee only 1 in 15 will actually read it. How do I know this? I teach English composition and have experienced the crushing disappointment of my students completely ignoring their assigned reading. Overall very informative if you can get your students to actually open it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Denise Ritchie
    4.0 out of 5 stars A must have
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    “They Say / I Say” by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to strengthen their writing and argumentation skills. This book breaks down the art of academic writing in a refreshingly practical way, teaching readers how to engage in meaningful conversations by responding to the ideas of others.
    The authors introduce simple, yet powerful templates that guide you in structuring arguments, framing counterpoints, and seamlessly integrating quotes — making complex writing techniques accessible to beginners and a valuable refresher for seasoned writers. Whether you’re a student tackling essays or a professional crafting persuasive content, this book helps you articulate your thoughts with confidence and clarity.
    It transforms writing from a daunting task into an engaging dialogue, empowering you to enter any intellectual conversation with purpose and poise. Highly recommended for anyone serious about improving their writing voice!
    Customer image
    Denise Ritchie
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    A must have

    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
    “They Say / I Say” by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to strengthen their writing and argumentation skills. This book breaks down the art of academic writing in a refreshingly practical way, teaching readers how to engage in meaningful conversations by responding to the ideas of others.
    The authors introduce simple, yet powerful templates that guide you in structuring arguments, framing counterpoints, and seamlessly integrating quotes — making complex writing techniques accessible to beginners and a valuable refresher for seasoned writers. Whether you’re a student tackling essays or a professional crafting persuasive content, this book helps you articulate your thoughts with confidence and clarity.
    It transforms writing from a daunting task into an engaging dialogue, empowering you to enter any intellectual conversation with purpose and poise. Highly recommended for anyone serious about improving their writing voice!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kami QOH 💜
    5.0 out of 5 stars School book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Had to get it, couldn't get it through the school as it was sold out - Amazon to the rescue! Perfect
    Helpful
     Report
  • Louise
    3.0 out of 5 stars Waste of money
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I had to buy this for an English class, we used two chapters out of it, and I didn't find it helpful at all. total waste of money, but at least it was cheap.
    Helpful
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  • novice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I wish I had this in middle school! This is brilliant!
    Helpful
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  • Tony
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great book with lots of suggestion and ideas for academic writing. This is just what I needed. These templates are terrific to get the creative juice going by giving me a starting point.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Khanh Nguyen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in Japan on May 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Good
    Report
  • Leila Dervis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a great price!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Got this for my class in university and it’s way cheaper than at the bookstore
    Report
  • madeline weeden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very happy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Very Happy
    One person found this helpful
     Report
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars È in Inglese
    Reviewed in Italy on June 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Dà molteplici strumenti per riflettere sulla psicologia della comunicazione e non a fine di marketing (ambito su cui si sono partorite fioriture e storpiature da psicologia da rotocalco), ma per dare strumenti umanistici, empatici, educativi, pedagogici, facendo riflettere in primis su come noi organiziamo il nostro pensiero discorsivo. Le cose che diamo per scontate, ma non lo sono e sono alla base di molti fraintendimenti, che costano cari in ogni ambito relazionale.
    Customer image
    Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    È in Inglese

    Reviewed in Italy on June 15, 2020
    Dà molteplici strumenti per riflettere sulla psicologia della comunicazione e non a fine di marketing (ambito su cui si sono partorite fioriture e storpiature da psicologia da rotocalco), ma per dare strumenti umanistici, empatici, educativi, pedagogici, facendo riflettere in primis su come noi organiziamo il nostro pensiero discorsivo. Le cose che diamo per scontate, ma non lo sono e sono alla base di molti fraintendimenti, che costano cari in ogni ambito relazionale.
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  • Evelin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gutes Tool
    Reviewed in Germany on January 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Das Buch hilft sehr, um das Schreiben von Essays zu verbessern und Intentionen und Argumentationsstrukturen innerhalb eines Textes besser darzustellen bzw. zu formulieren.
    Report