“As a Result”: Connecting the Parts- In the textbook, They Say, I Say authors Graff and Birkenstein explain the concept that each sentence should flow easily from one another. In other words, meaning that sentences should connect to the previous sentence. At the beginning of the chapter, the auhtors give an example of a student named Bill who had trouble tying his sentences one another, making it difficult for the reader to read. Later on, Bill mention that some of his errors were not rereading what he wrote, and only being focused on the future sentences. In order to avoid this mistake transitions, key terms, pointer words, and more should be used. These help repeat the main points as well as keeping the readers attention. Repeatition is extremely important, however, it should be altered in order not to sound monotonous. Therefore, the reader is able to understand and reminded of the claims. The connection between sentences helps make it comprehensible for the readers as well.
What I Learned: I learned that reptition is crucial but each time you repeat it should be done differently. Much more thought has to go into reptition rather than just simply restating.
“Ain’t So / Is Not”: Academic Writing Doesn’t Always Mean Setting Aside Your Own Voice- In this chapter, the authors demonstrate how many people associate writing with formal language. As a result, they do not like to write since it may bore them, or they simply feel that it isn’t truly them. Therefore, the authors explain that the two languges can be mixed which is both formal writing language as well as everyday slang. There can be a nice blend of each while still getting your point across without confusing the audience. However, there are instances where it shouldn’t be used like a job proposal or something formal. Writing does not have to be so uptight all the time, and you can still add your own personality.
What I Learned: I always associate writing with extreme formality, and with this chapter it shows that not all writing is like that. I learned that you can still add your own writing style and slang into it.
“But Don’t Get Me Wrong”: The Art of Metacommentary: When people first hear the word “metacommentary” they are confused and unsure of what it means. What they do not know is that it is constantly being used in daily converstations and in text. Metacommentary is when you explain what you have already said, and telling other how or how not to think about them. Examples of this is, “I’m not saying” or “what I meant to say”. Metacommentary is important because it helps from getting the reader or the audience confused. Adding this side comment helps refresh and simply shorten your previous claims. Tittles and subheading constantly use metacommentary in order to give a short glimpse of the piece of text. In short, metacommentary helps elaborate and clarify something already stated.
What I learned: I learned what metacommentary was and how I use it without even knowing it.
“He Talks About Deplores”: Using the Templates to Revise: Revision is extremely important, but many do not know where or what to revise. Therefore, this chapter provided a checklist of what to do after writing an essay. All the notes that they gave were from previous chapters and claims which were all tied together. Ranging from transitions to metacommentary it shows where in the textbook you can find help on it. In the chapter, a student sample of a revised essay is also provided.
What I learned: Just because you are done writing an essay does not mean that you are done with everything. Revision is just as important and should not be overlooked.
Words that come to life 