Includes bibliographical references and index.

"At the core of this book is the premise that good argumentative writing begins not with an act of assertion but an act of listening, of putting ourselves in the shoes of those who think differently from us. As a result, we advise writers to begin not with what they themselves think about their subject ("I say") but with what other think ("they say"). This practice, we think, adds urgency to writing, helping it to become more authentically motivated. When writing responds to something that has been said or might be said, it thereby performs the meaningful task of supporting, correcting, or complicating that other view." (Preface to the Second edition, p xiii)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Preface to the second edition

Preface: Demystifying Academic Conversation

Introduction: Entering the Conversation

Part 1. "They Say"
1 "They Say": Starting with What Others Are Saying
2 "Her Point Is": The Are of Summarizing
3 "As He Himself Puts It": The Art of Quoting

Part 2. "I Say" 4 "Yes/No/Okay, But": Three Ways to Respond
5 "And Yet": Distinguishing What You Say from What They Say 6 "Skeptics May Object": Planting a Naysayer in Your Text
7 "So What? Who Cares?": Saying Why It Matters

Part 3. Tying It All Together
8 "As a Result": Connecting the Parts
9 "Ain't So/Is Not": Academic Writing Doesn't Always Mean Setting Aside Your Own Voice
10 "But Don't Get Me Wrong": The Art of Metacommentary

Part 4. In Specific Academic Settings
11 "I Take Your Point": Entering Class Discussions
12 "What's Motivating This Writer?": Reading for the Conversation
13 "The Data Suggest": Writing in the Sciences
14 "Analyze This": Writing in the Social Sciences

Readings

Index of Templates