AP English

Weiskopf
They Say/I Say Exercise for Summer Reading1
We are constantly entering into conversations with others, whether they are friends, relatives,
classmates, or writers of books, articles, TV shows, etc. Entering into academic
conversations is the foundation of most college work.

In order to enter into conversations effectively, we need to be able to listen and/or read
carefully in order to comprehend as fully as possible the positions others are taking on any
chosen subject or topic. Once we have done that, we have several options, including (but
not limited to) opposing, supporting, amending, qualifying, questioning, or critiquing
the positions others have taken.

I’ve asked you to reread one chapter of How to Read Literature Like a Professor that you feel will
enhance your discussion of East of Eden. As you read, you should have taken notes or
annotated with an eye towards understanding both the premise of the chapter and your
opinion of it.

PARAGRAPH ONE: “They Say”:

The first paragraph of your paper is the “They Say” portion. Here, articulate what you find
to be the central argument or claim of the chapter you have selected from How to Read
Literature Like a Professor. Then, provide and explain the most compelling evidence from the
text in support of your claim.

In this first paragraph, you will not offer your opinions about the chapter’s argument as you
understand it; rather, you will explain it to your reader (me). In doing so, please point out
specific textual details (making sure to properly integrate and cite quotes) to “show” what
you mean when you are summarizing the argument. Your first paragraph should begin
with a direct statement naming the chapter and the central argument you find there.

PARAGRAPH TWO: “I Say”:

In your second paragraph, make clear your position with respect to the chapter’s argument
that you just articulated. Then, using East of Eden to explore that argument, please provide
your own detailed explanation for your position. Make sure to quote effectively and cite!
There are lots of ways you might go as you write your “I Say” piece. You might take issue
with or oppose the chapter’s claim and/or the evidence offered, and you will explain how or
why that is, perhaps offering alternate ideas about East of Eden in support of your claims; you
might support or agree with the chapter’s claim and evidence and have examples from the
text that further develop that idea; you might agree with part of the claim but find another
part problematic, showing the benefits and limitations of it as you explore East of Eden; etc.

1Dr. Warburton borrowed the following exercise from the book They Say/I Say: The Moves That
Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (New York: W.W. Norton & Co.,
2009). I borrowed and adapted the exercise from Dr. Warburton.