Review:
They Say I Say: The Moves That Matter In Academic Writing (original Edition)
overall review score: 4.5
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score is between 0 and 5
They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (Original Edition) is a widely used instructional book that focuses on core strategies for effective academic writing. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with existing arguments ('they say') and articulating one's own position ('I say') through structured rhetorical moves. The book offers practical guidance, examples, and exercises aimed at helping students develop clearer, more persuasive academic writing skills.
Key Features
- Focus on common rhetorical moves in academic writing
- Emphasis on engaging with counterarguments and existing discussions
- Includes practical examples and student-friendly exercises
- Guidance on structuring essays and research papers
- Clear explanations of key concepts like summarizing, quoting, and arguing
Pros
- Highly accessible and user-friendly for students new to academic writing
- Provides practical strategies that improve clarity and persuasive power
- Well-organized with clear examples illustrating key concepts
- Widely adopted in teaching composition courses
Cons
- May be too focused on Western academic traditions, limiting global perspectives
- Some users might find it repetitive after repeated readings
- Requires supplementary resources for advanced writing techniques