Week 1 They Say Writing Assignment Read chapters 1-3 of They Say/I Say. In a Microsoft Word document, make a list of the main points for each chapter and then write a one-paragraph summary. In your summary be sure to capture the most important issues from each chapter. Also include at least one quotation that illustrates one of the main points. Here is my response to this week's assignment; Chapter 1 “They Say” Starting with What Others Are Saying 1.    Indicate clearly what the point of the thesis and the larger conversation. 2.    Use proper order of your writing 3.    Summarize what they are saying as soon as you can. 4.    Give a quick view of what they are saying, do not spend too much time on it. 5.    Keep what they say in view, relevant as the dialogue or writing progresses. Chapter 2 (30-41) “Her Point Is” The Art of Summarizing 1.    Balance between the original author and writer’s personal focus 2.    Ignore personal beliefs and put yourself in the original authors shoes. 3.    Understand and know what your goal is in the writing. 4.    Do not use list summaries 5.    Use signal verbs Chapter 3 (42-52) “As He Himself Puts It” The Art of Quoting 1.    Quoting what they say should always be connected to what you say. 2.    Frame every quote 3.    Do not leave quotes “Dangling” 4.    Choose quotations wisely 5.    Quote relevant passages   The goal of this book by Graff and Birkenstein is to teach us how to become a more effective writing. They do so in many ways, they start off with teaching us how to frame what others are saying in Chapter 1 aptly named “They Say”. We see the importance of summarizing as well as putting our writings in the proper order. It is suggested we give a quick view as well as keep it relevant to our own opinions. In chapter 2 we learn how to summarize, where I support the ideas presented. Keeping the balance between the original author and your personal focus, is paramount according to Graff and Birkenstein. We are advised to put our self in to the original writer’s shoes and to ignore personal beliefs, to use signal verbs, and to not do what I feel I am doing currently and that is use to list summaries. Finally, we learn the art of quoting. The opening sentence of this chapter sums up a great deal of what the authors wish to convey. “A key premise of this book is that to launch an effective argument you need to write the arguments of others into your text. (Birkenstein & Graff)” The argument that Graff & Birkenstein offer and even caution us is to choose our quotations wisely, and never to leave quotes dangling. Our quotes should be framed and connected to what we are trying to state in our own writing and always quote something relevant to the topic.   Graff, Gerald; Birkenstein, Cathy. "They Say / I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (Third Edition) (Page 42). W. W. Norton & Company. Kindle Edition.