Exercise 2, Page 14: They Say, I say

The introduction to "They Say/I Say" breaks down how to use templates in academic writing and also why to use them. From this introduction I came to the understanding that templates help unsure writers learn the basics of academic writing while integrating their own, creative flair. Graff and Birkenstein talk about activities such as "cooking, playing the piano, shooting a basketball" (1) and how you cannot master any of these tasks without learning the basic skills behind them. The same applies with writing, Graff and Birkenstein argue.
Working on the templates lets you learn how to engage in critical thinking needed at the college level, used everyday in public and eventually in your career or vocational choice. Writers need to learn how to express themselves in organized ways in order to articulate their thoughts, summaries and responses clearly to their audience. A new writer may do this with the "they say/I say" template where you learn to express your ideas (I say) while responding to an author, critic, group, etc (they say). This promotes academic conversation and teaches you how to incorporate the voices of others into your text. Every paper needs logic, support and consistency. Sounds boring, right? Wrongo. Martin Luther King Junior's "Letter From Birmingham Jail"is an intersting, influential letter structed around a pattern of summary and response. Clearly structure can still mean creative and innovative!
The ways of responding template is a way to avoid yes or no responses that are boring, lame and unconvincing. Templates also help you intergrate quotations and explain them in your own words (9). Overall, Graff and Birkenstein say that templates will help your creativity, not stifle it. Everyone, including Shakespeare and jazz musicians, have to learn basics. Once you learn them use imagination with the form to create creativity!
I chose not to use the template provided because I have my own system to summarize. When I read I write down words or sentences I feel are important. Then I go back, read my notes and comment on them with possible questions or my reaction. Then I form my response. I don't feel my way is above the template process, it's just that I'm pretty set in my ways for now. I was pretty iffy about the template process until I fully read the introduction and the authors convinced me that learning the basics does not mean a cookie-cutter paper with no creativity. I think this is a good approach for students who feel lost or overwhelmed with their writing.