The First Day, of the Rest of Your Life

1. The First Day, of the Rest of Your Life

2. The Introduction Paragraph: Entering the Academic Conversation

3. “They Say, I Say” When we write, we must take into account that it occurs not in a vacuum, but in response to others. We must present our ideas in response to another person or group. This tells our reader why what we are talking about is relevant to them and insures we are not making random arguments with no context.

4. How We Enter the Conversation: The Lunch Table Analogy

5. “While many music critics insists that race played a large role in Macklemore’s success at the 2013 Grammy’s, I argue that it was the quality of music, including his three hit singles, that carried him to a victorious night.” 1.) In this thesis, what is the “they say” part of the argument? 2.) In this thesis statement, what is the “I say” part of the argument? Examples

6. “You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations” –Martin Luther King Jr. from Birmingham Jail What is the “they say”? What is the “I say”? Examples:

7. Adding a “They Say” To Our Writing The following statements all lack a “They Say.” Work on your own or in pairs to re-write the statements with a “they say.” If you finish, write your own statement with a “they say” and “I say.”

8. Statement 1 Romeo and Juliet is a movie about the dangers of abusing power.

9. Helpful Templates: • “When I was a child, I used to think that _______, but after reading Romeo and Juliet as a teenager ________ • “At the same time that I believe_______, I also believe______” • “Conventional wisdom has it that Romeo and Juliet is about ______, however, I believe it to be about______”

10. Statement 2 I am afraid that school uniforms will stifle personal expression.

11. Helpful Templates • “When I was a child, I used to think that _______, but after reading extensively on the subject, I believe school uniforms________.” • “At the same time that I believe_______, I also believe______.” • “Conventional wisdom has it that school uniforms would ______, however, I believe they would________.”

12. “They Say, I Say”: Looking closely at introduction paragraphs

13. Introduction Paragraph Example #1

14. Introduction Paragraph Ex: 2

15. Writing Your Own Introduction Paragraph

16. Directions 1.) Write an introduction paragraph based off one of the prompts. Make sure to include a “They Say” and an “I Say.” Paragraph should be at least 4 sentences. 2.) When you have completed your four sentences, trade with someone and read what they have written. Can you identify the “they say” and “I say”? Prompts 1.) Is being under the influence an excuse for inappropriate actions such as we see from Huck’s dad in Huckleberry Finn? 2.) Do you believe in superstition?

17. Should Include a “they say” Include an “I say” Should state your argument/purpose of your paper Should Not Begin to provide evidence for your argument Should not include in depth summary of any of the pieces Introduction Paragraphs: Your Papers

18. Take 5-7 minutes to take out and read the introduction to your papers. Underline the “they say” part of the paragraph and circle the “I say” paragraph. Do not have a “they say,” “I say,” or both? It is okay! Make a note of it on your paper, when we get a chance to edit, you will be able to rework your paragraph so that it has both.

19. Caution! Caution! Caution! The “They Say, I Say” aspect of our paper is not only essential to the our first paragraph/thesis, it is essential to our paper as whole; throughout your paper you should be citing the arguments of others in order to orient your own.