They Say, I Say Preface/Introduction

As I read the passage, I agreed and disagreed with the statements made by the authors.  I soundly believe that a great writer connects in some way with his or her audience's view because that is what makes them the great writer they are.  If a writer was not able to incorporate people's views and be engaging, then the writer wouldn't be great.  I strongly agree with the line, “too often, however, academic writing is taught as a process of saying ‘true’ or ‘smart’ things in a vacuum, as if it were possible to argue effectively without being in conversation with someone else.”  The structure of the standard five paragraph essay that is taught is particularly at fault as you consider that line.  The structure allows for a thesis and supporting evidence without giving the chance to express the views that a writer is arguing against.  When a person is writing academically, they tend to throw out or even neglect to mention other people's views while presenting their own opinions.

On the other hand, there comes a point when what a writer is arguing against becomes too predominant in their paper.  What a writer is arguing should be clearly stated or implicit, but should not become redundant in one’s writing.  When the opinions or views that a writer is writing against starts to shadow the actual thoughts of the writer, then it becomes a problem.