Writing Resources/Templates
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/resources/handouts/
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/resources/handouts/
Index of Templates from They Say, I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein.
Introducing What They Say
A number of sociologists have recently suggested that X’s work has several fundamental problems.
It has become common today to dismiss X’s contribution to the field of sociology.
In their recent work, Y and Z have offered harsh critiques of Dr. X for _____.
Introducing Standard Views
American today tend to believe that _____
Conventional wisdom has it that _____
Common sense seems to dictate that _____
The standard way of thinking about topic X has it that _____
It is often said that _____
My whole life I have heard it said that _____
You would think that _____
Many people assumed that _____
Making What They Say Something You Say
I’ve always believed that _____
When I was a child, I used to think that _____
Although I should know better by now, I cannot help thinking that _____
At the same time that I believe _____, I also believe _____
Introducing Something Implied or Assumed
Although none of them have ever said so directly, my teachers have often given me the impression that _____
One implication of X’s treatment of ____ is that _____
Although X does not say so directly, she apparently assumes that _____
While they rarely admit as much, _____ often take for granted that _____
Introducing an Ongoing Debate
In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been _____. On the other hand, ____ argues _____. On the other hand, ____ contends ____. Others even maintain _____. My own view is _____.
When it comes to the topic of _____, most of us will readily agree that _____. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of _____. Whereas some are convinced that _____, others maintain that _____.
In conclusion, then, defenders of _____ can’t have it both ways. Their assertion that _____ is contradicted by their claim that _____.
Capturing Authorial Action
X acknowledges that _____.
X agrees that _____
X argues that _____
X believes that _____
X denies / does not deny that _____
X claims that
X complains that _____
X conceded that _____
X demonstrates that _____
X deplores the tendency to ____
X celebrates the fact that _____
X emphasizes that _____
X insists that _____
X observes that _____
X questions whether _____
X refutes the claim that _____
X reminds us that _____
X suggests that _____
X urges us to _____
Introducing Quotations
X states, “_____.”
As the prominent philosopher X puts it, “_____.”
According to X, “_____.”
In her book, _____, X maintains that “_____.”
Writing in the journal Commentary, X complains that “_____.”
In X’s view, “_____.”
X agrees/disagrees when she writes, “_____.”
X complicates matters further when he writes, “_____.”
Explaining Quotations
Basically, X is saying _____.
In other words, X believes _____.
In making this comment, X argues that _____.
X is insisting that _____
X’s point is that _____
The essence of X’s argument is that _____
Disagreeing, with Reasons
I think X is mistaken because she overlooks _____
X’s claim that _____ rests upon the questionable assumption that _____.
I disagree with X’s view that _____ because, as recent research has show, _____
X contradicts herself /can’t have it both ways. On the one hand, she argues ____, but on the other hand, she also says _____
By focusing on _____, X overlooks the deeper problem of _____
X claims _____, but we don’t need him to tell us that. Anyone familiar with ___ has long know that _____
Agreeing – with a Difference
I agree that _____ because my experience confirms it.
X surely is right about _____ because, as she may not be aware, recent studies have shown that _____.
X’s theory of _____ is extremely useful because it sheds insight on the difficult problem of _____
I agree that ____, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe _____
Those unfamiliar with this school of thought may be interested to know that it basically boils down to _____
If group X is right that _____, as I think they are, then we need to reassess the popular assumption that _____
Agreeing and Disagreeing Simultaneously
Although I agree with X up to a point, I cannot accept his overall conclusion that _____
Although I disagree with much that X says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that _____
Though I concede that _____, I still insist that _____
Whereas X provides ample evidence that ____, Y and Z’s research on ____ and ____ convinces me that _____ instead.
X is right that ____, but she seems on more dubious ground when she claims that _____
While X is probably wrong when she claims that _____, she is right that _____
I’m of two minds about X’s claim that ____. On the one hand, I agree that _____.
On the other hand, I’m not sure if _____
My feelings on the issue are mixed. I do support X’s positions that _____, but I find Y’s argument about ____ and Z’s research on _____ to be equally persuasive.
Signaling Who Is Saying What
X argues _____
According to both X and Y, _____
Politicians _____, X argues, should _____
Most athletes will tell you that _____
My own view, however, is that _____
I agree, as X may not realize, that _____, but _____ are real and, arguably, the most significant factor in _____
However X is wrong that _____
However, it is simply not true that _____
Indeed, it is highly likely that _____
Nonetheless, the view that ____ does not fit all the facts.
X is right that ____
X is wrong that
X is both right and wrong that _____
A sober analysis of the matter reveals _____
Nevertheless, new research shows _____
Anyone familiar with ____ should see that _____
Embedding Voice Markers
X overlooks what I consider an important point about _____
My own view is that what X insists is a ____ is in fact a _____
I wholeheartedly endorse what X calls _____
These conclusions, which X discusses in _____, add weight to the argument that _____
Entertaining Objections
At this point, I would like to raise some objections that have been inspired by the skeptic in me. She feels that I have been ignoring _____., “_____,” she says to me, “_____.”
Thus far some readers may challenge the view that _____. After all, many believe ____. Indeed, my own argument that ___ seems to ignore ____ and ____
Of course, many will probably disagree with the assertion that _____
Naming Your Nay Sayers
Here many feminists would probably object that _____
However social Darwinists would certainly take issue with the argument that _____
Biologists, of course, may want to dispute my claim that _____
Nevertheless, both followers and critics of Malcom X will probably argue that _____
Although not all Christians think alike, some of them will probably dispute my claim that _____
Non-native English speakers are so diverse in their views that it’s hard to generalize about them, but some are likely to object on the grounds that _____
Introducing Objections Informally
However, is my proposal realistic? What are the chances of its actually being adopted?
Is it always true that _____? Is it always the case that _____?
However, does the evidence cited prove conclusively that _____?
Making Concessions while Still Standing Your Ground
Although I grant that _____, I still maintain that _____
Proponents of X are right to argue that _____, but they exaggerate when they claim that _____
While it is true that ____, it does not necessarily follow that _____
On the one hand, I agree with X that _____, but on the other hand, I still insist that _____
Indicating Who Cares
_____used to think _____, but recently / within the past few decades ____ suggests that _____
What his new research does, then, is correct the mistaken impression, held by many earlier researchers, that _____
These finding challenge the work of earlier researchers, who tended to assume that ____
Recent studies like these shed new light on ____, which previous studies had not addressed.
Researchers have long assumed that ____. For instance, one eminent scholar of cell biology, ____ assumed in _____, her seminal work on cell structures and functions, that fate cells ____. As ____ herself put it, “_____.” Another leading scientist, _____, argued that fat cells “_____.” Ultimately, when it came to the nature of fat, the basic assumption was that ____, but a new body of research shows that fat cells are far more complex and that ____
If sports enthusiasts stopped to think about it, any of them might simply assume that the most successful athletes ____. However, new research shows _____.
These findings challenge dieters’ common assumptions that ____
At first glance, teenagers appear to ____, but on closer inspection _____
Establishing Why Your Claims Matter
X matters/is important because _____
Although X may seem trivial, it is in fact crucial in terms of today’s concern over ____
Ultimately, what is at stake here is _____
These findings have important consequences for the broader domain of _____
My discussion of X is in fact addressing the larger matter of _____
These conclusions / This discovery will have significant application in ____ as well as in ____
Although X may seem of concern to only a small group of ____, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about _____
Adding Meta-commentary
In other words, _____
What ____ really means by this is _____
My point is _____
Essentially, I am arguing that _____
My point is not that we should ____, but that we should _____
What ____ really means is ____
In other words, _____
To put it another way, _____
In sum, then, _____
My conclusion, then is that, _____
In short, _____
What is more important, _____
Incidentally, _____
By the way, _____
Chapter two explores _____, while Chapter three examines _____
Commonly Used Transitions
Cause and Effect
Accordingly since
As a result so
Consequently then
Hence therefore
It follows, then thus
Conclusion
As a result so
Consequently the upshot of all this is that
Hence therefore
In conclusion, then thus
In short to sum up
In sum, then to summarize
It follows, then
Comparison
Along the same line likewise
In the same way similarly
Contrast
Although nevertheless
But nonetheless
By contrast on the contrary
Conversely on the other hand
Despite the fact that regardless
Even though whereas
However while
In contrast yet
Addition
Also in fact
And indeed
Besides moreover
Furthermore so too
In addition
Concession
Admittedly of course
Although it is true that naturally
Granted to be sure
I concede that
Example
For instance
As an illustration
For example,
Elaboration
Actually to put it another way
To put it bluntly,
In short,
To put it succinctly,
Ultimately,
In other words,
Introducing What They Say
A number of sociologists have recently suggested that X’s work has several fundamental problems.
It has become common today to dismiss X’s contribution to the field of sociology.
In their recent work, Y and Z have offered harsh critiques of Dr. X for _____.
Introducing Standard Views
American today tend to believe that _____
Conventional wisdom has it that _____
Common sense seems to dictate that _____
The standard way of thinking about topic X has it that _____
It is often said that _____
My whole life I have heard it said that _____
You would think that _____
Many people assumed that _____
Making What They Say Something You Say
I’ve always believed that _____
When I was a child, I used to think that _____
Although I should know better by now, I cannot help thinking that _____
At the same time that I believe _____, I also believe _____
Introducing Something Implied or Assumed
Although none of them have ever said so directly, my teachers have often given me the impression that _____
One implication of X’s treatment of ____ is that _____
Although X does not say so directly, she apparently assumes that _____
While they rarely admit as much, _____ often take for granted that _____
Introducing an Ongoing Debate
In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been _____. On the other hand, ____ argues _____. On the other hand, ____ contends ____. Others even maintain _____. My own view is _____.
When it comes to the topic of _____, most of us will readily agree that _____. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of _____. Whereas some are convinced that _____, others maintain that _____.
In conclusion, then, defenders of _____ can’t have it both ways. Their assertion that _____ is contradicted by their claim that _____.
Capturing Authorial Action
X acknowledges that _____.
X agrees that _____
X argues that _____
X believes that _____
X denies / does not deny that _____
X claims that
X complains that _____
X conceded that _____
X demonstrates that _____
X deplores the tendency to ____
X celebrates the fact that _____
X emphasizes that _____
X insists that _____
X observes that _____
X questions whether _____
X refutes the claim that _____
X reminds us that _____
X suggests that _____
X urges us to _____
Introducing Quotations
X states, “_____.”
As the prominent philosopher X puts it, “_____.”
According to X, “_____.”
In her book, _____, X maintains that “_____.”
Writing in the journal Commentary, X complains that “_____.”
In X’s view, “_____.”
X agrees/disagrees when she writes, “_____.”
X complicates matters further when he writes, “_____.”
Explaining Quotations
Basically, X is saying _____.
In other words, X believes _____.
In making this comment, X argues that _____.
X is insisting that _____
X’s point is that _____
The essence of X’s argument is that _____
Disagreeing, with Reasons
I think X is mistaken because she overlooks _____
X’s claim that _____ rests upon the questionable assumption that _____.
I disagree with X’s view that _____ because, as recent research has show, _____
X contradicts herself /can’t have it both ways. On the one hand, she argues ____, but on the other hand, she also says _____
By focusing on _____, X overlooks the deeper problem of _____
X claims _____, but we don’t need him to tell us that. Anyone familiar with ___ has long know that _____
Agreeing – with a Difference
I agree that _____ because my experience confirms it.
X surely is right about _____ because, as she may not be aware, recent studies have shown that _____.
X’s theory of _____ is extremely useful because it sheds insight on the difficult problem of _____
I agree that ____, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe _____
Those unfamiliar with this school of thought may be interested to know that it basically boils down to _____
If group X is right that _____, as I think they are, then we need to reassess the popular assumption that _____
Agreeing and Disagreeing Simultaneously
Although I agree with X up to a point, I cannot accept his overall conclusion that _____
Although I disagree with much that X says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that _____
Though I concede that _____, I still insist that _____
Whereas X provides ample evidence that ____, Y and Z’s research on ____ and ____ convinces me that _____ instead.
X is right that ____, but she seems on more dubious ground when she claims that _____
While X is probably wrong when she claims that _____, she is right that _____
I’m of two minds about X’s claim that ____. On the one hand, I agree that _____.
On the other hand, I’m not sure if _____
My feelings on the issue are mixed. I do support X’s positions that _____, but I find Y’s argument about ____ and Z’s research on _____ to be equally persuasive.
Signaling Who Is Saying What
X argues _____
According to both X and Y, _____
Politicians _____, X argues, should _____
Most athletes will tell you that _____
My own view, however, is that _____
I agree, as X may not realize, that _____, but _____ are real and, arguably, the most significant factor in _____
However X is wrong that _____
However, it is simply not true that _____
Indeed, it is highly likely that _____
Nonetheless, the view that ____ does not fit all the facts.
X is right that ____
X is wrong that
X is both right and wrong that _____
A sober analysis of the matter reveals _____
Nevertheless, new research shows _____
Anyone familiar with ____ should see that _____
Embedding Voice Markers
X overlooks what I consider an important point about _____
My own view is that what X insists is a ____ is in fact a _____
I wholeheartedly endorse what X calls _____
These conclusions, which X discusses in _____, add weight to the argument that _____
Entertaining Objections
At this point, I would like to raise some objections that have been inspired by the skeptic in me. She feels that I have been ignoring _____., “_____,” she says to me, “_____.”
Thus far some readers may challenge the view that _____. After all, many believe ____. Indeed, my own argument that ___ seems to ignore ____ and ____
Of course, many will probably disagree with the assertion that _____
Naming Your Nay Sayers
Here many feminists would probably object that _____
However social Darwinists would certainly take issue with the argument that _____
Biologists, of course, may want to dispute my claim that _____
Nevertheless, both followers and critics of Malcom X will probably argue that _____
Although not all Christians think alike, some of them will probably dispute my claim that _____
Non-native English speakers are so diverse in their views that it’s hard to generalize about them, but some are likely to object on the grounds that _____
Introducing Objections Informally
However, is my proposal realistic? What are the chances of its actually being adopted?
Is it always true that _____? Is it always the case that _____?
However, does the evidence cited prove conclusively that _____?
Making Concessions while Still Standing Your Ground
Although I grant that _____, I still maintain that _____
Proponents of X are right to argue that _____, but they exaggerate when they claim that _____
While it is true that ____, it does not necessarily follow that _____
On the one hand, I agree with X that _____, but on the other hand, I still insist that _____
Indicating Who Cares
_____used to think _____, but recently / within the past few decades ____ suggests that _____
What his new research does, then, is correct the mistaken impression, held by many earlier researchers, that _____
These finding challenge the work of earlier researchers, who tended to assume that ____
Recent studies like these shed new light on ____, which previous studies had not addressed.
Researchers have long assumed that ____. For instance, one eminent scholar of cell biology, ____ assumed in _____, her seminal work on cell structures and functions, that fate cells ____. As ____ herself put it, “_____.” Another leading scientist, _____, argued that fat cells “_____.” Ultimately, when it came to the nature of fat, the basic assumption was that ____, but a new body of research shows that fat cells are far more complex and that ____
If sports enthusiasts stopped to think about it, any of them might simply assume that the most successful athletes ____. However, new research shows _____.
These findings challenge dieters’ common assumptions that ____
At first glance, teenagers appear to ____, but on closer inspection _____
Establishing Why Your Claims Matter
X matters/is important because _____
Although X may seem trivial, it is in fact crucial in terms of today’s concern over ____
Ultimately, what is at stake here is _____
These findings have important consequences for the broader domain of _____
My discussion of X is in fact addressing the larger matter of _____
These conclusions / This discovery will have significant application in ____ as well as in ____
Although X may seem of concern to only a small group of ____, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about _____
Adding Meta-commentary
In other words, _____
What ____ really means by this is _____
My point is _____
Essentially, I am arguing that _____
My point is not that we should ____, but that we should _____
What ____ really means is ____
In other words, _____
To put it another way, _____
In sum, then, _____
My conclusion, then is that, _____
In short, _____
What is more important, _____
Incidentally, _____
By the way, _____
Chapter two explores _____, while Chapter three examines _____
Commonly Used Transitions
Cause and Effect
Accordingly since
As a result so
Consequently then
Hence therefore
It follows, then thus
Conclusion
As a result so
Consequently the upshot of all this is that
Hence therefore
In conclusion, then thus
In short to sum up
In sum, then to summarize
It follows, then
Comparison
Along the same line likewise
In the same way similarly
Contrast
Although nevertheless
But nonetheless
By contrast on the contrary
Conversely on the other hand
Despite the fact that regardless
Even though whereas
However while
In contrast yet
Addition
Also in fact
And indeed
Besides moreover
Furthermore so too
In addition
Concession
Admittedly of course
Although it is true that naturally
Granted to be sure
I concede that
Example
For instance
As an illustration
For example,
Elaboration
Actually to put it another way
To put it bluntly,
In short,
To put it succinctly,
Ultimately,
In other words,
