Mastering the Moves That Matter: A Practical Guide to "They Say / I Say" in Academic Writing
The single greatest challenge in academic writing is not finding information; it is entering a conversation with the information you have found. Still, many students and early-career researchers struggle because they present their work as a report of facts, rather than as a contribution to an ongoing scholarly dialogue. Here's the thing — this is where the powerful framework of "They Say / I Say" becomes essential. Developed by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, this approach provides a series of templates and conceptual moves that teach writers how to frame their arguments in response to what others have said, thereby making their own voice ("I Say") clear, relevant, and compelling. Mastering these moves is no longer optional; it is a fundamental skill for producing academic writing that matters Simple, but easy to overlook. Nothing fancy..
No fluff here — just what actually works It's one of those things that adds up..
The core premise is simple yet profound: academic writing is a conversation. Before you can make your own point, you must first acknowledge the points that others have made. In practice, the "They Say" move is about summarizing, quoting, or paraphrasing the existing arguments, theories, or data that form the backdrop to your work. This serves two critical functions. First, it demonstrates your familiarity with the scholarly landscape, establishing your credibility. On the flip side, second, and more importantly, it creates a need for your own argument. In real terms, by presenting a prevailing view, a common assumption, or a gap in the research, you set the stage for your "I Say" response. Your response can be an agreement, a disagreement, a complication, or a synthesis, but it must be framed as a direct reply to the conversation you have just outlined That's the whole idea..
Easier said than done, but still worth knowing.
Let's break down the essential moves, starting with the foundational templates that can be adapted to nearly any discipline.
The Foundational Templates: Setting the Stage
The most basic "They Say" template is: "They say that...On the flip side, " This is often followed by a summary of a key argument. Here's one way to look at it: in a paper about social media, you might write: "They say that social media platforms are democratizing public discourse by giving a voice to marginalized groups." This is a clear, concise entry point. A more sophisticated version is: "At this point, it should be noted that...On the flip side, " or "X argues that... ", which is useful when introducing a specific author's claim. The key is to be accurate and fair in your representation of "They Say," even if you ultimately plan to challenge it.
The corresponding "I Say" move is the heart of your contribution. Still, the power of the framework lies in the relationship between the two moves. Which means ". " or **"I argue that...The simplest template is: **"My point is that...The most effective "I Say" responses explicitly link back to the "They Say Which is the point..
- To agree: "While I agree with X's broad argument, I would add that..." or "X is certainly correct that... On the flip side, my analysis suggests..."
- To disagree: "On the contrary," or "While X makes a compelling case, the evidence suggests otherwise." It is crucial to be respectful. Instead of saying "X is wrong," a stronger move is: "Although X's theory is persuasive in some contexts, it fails to account for..."
- To complicate or nuance: "Yes, but..." or "On the one hand, X is right that... Alternatively, Y's data indicates..." This is often the most insightful move, as it shows you can see multiple sides of an issue.
- To connect or synthesize: "What both X and Y fail to consider is..." or "By combining X's focus on economic factors with Y's emphasis on cultural norms, we can see a more complete picture."
Advanced Moves: Deepening the Conversation
Once you have the basic structure, you can employ more nuanced moves to demonstrate sophisticated thinking. Consider this: one critical move is "They Say / I Say" within your own analysis. Even so, this is where you distinguish between the voice of the source and the voice of your own analysis. Because of that, for instance, you might write: "Smith argues that climate change is primarily driven by human activity. In contrast to Smith's focus on industrial emissions, my research indicates that deforestation in tropical regions is an equally significant, and currently under-analyzed, contributor." Here, you are not just disagreeing with Smith; you are using your own data to redirect the conversation Most people skip this — try not to..
Another vital move is "Says Who?As an example, you might begin a section by asking: "It is often assumed that early childhood education is universally beneficial. " This is a rhetorical question you can use internally to interrogate a claim, especially a common sense or "self-evident" one. ** A closer look at the longitudinal studies from the 1970s reveals that the benefits are not evenly distributed and can be highly dependent on the quality of the program.Also, **Says who? " This move is powerful for challenging assumptions and introducing your own research questions Most people skip this — try not to..
Real talk — this step gets skipped all the time Not complicated — just consistent..
A related move is "So What?Think about it: " This forces you to explain the significance of your argument. Also, why should your reader care? After presenting your "I Say," you must answer this question. Day to day, for instance: "My analysis shows that the algorithm is biased. So what? This is significant because it means that the tool being used for hiring decisions is systematically disadvantageing qualified candidates from certain backgrounds, with serious implications for equity and representation.
Practical Application: Weaving the Moves into Your Draft
The true skill is integrating these moves without friction into your writing. It is not about slavishly inserting every template, but about internalizing the logic of the conversation. Here is a step-by-step approach:
- Map the Conversation: Before you write, list the key arguments, debates, and scholars in your field. Identify the main "They Say" position that your work engages with.
- Find Your Entry Point: Where does your argument fit? Are you confirming, challenging, or complicating the existing conversation? This determines your primary "I Say" stance.
- Draft with Templates: In your first draft, don't worry about elegance. Use the templates explicitly to ensure you are making your moves clear. Write sentences like, "Graff and Birkenstein argue that academic writers need to frame their work as a response to others. I agree with this core principle, and my paper will demonstrate its application in the field of digital humanities."
- Refine and Vary: Once the logical structure is sound, revise to vary the language. Replace "X argues that" with "X contends," "maintains," or "posits." Replace "My point is that" with "I contend that," "The evidence suggests," or "This analysis demonstrates."
Conclusion: Writing That Resonates
The "They Say / I Say" framework is more than a set of writing tips; it is a philosophy of academic inquiry. Think about it: it teaches you to see your work not as an isolated report, but as a vital contribution to a larger, ongoing conversation. By mastering these moves, you transform your writing from a passive presentation of facts into an active, engaging, and persuasive argument. You demonstrate to your readers—your professors, your peers, and the broader scholarly community—that you understand the field, that you have something meaningful to add, and that you are worthy of joining the dialogue. This is the essence of academic writing that matters, and it is a skill that will serve you throughout your career.
