They say I say essay examples are structured academic writings that use the "they say" (a source or opposing view) and "I say" (the writer's response) structure to build clear, evidence-based arguments. This method, developed by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, teaches students to engage directly with existing ideas rather than ignore or oversimplify them.
The model begins with summarizing a credible source's claim-"they say"-then presents the writer's counterpoint or refinement-"I say." This format appears in research papers, literary analyses, and social science essays. It avoids vague assertions by anchoring every opinion in a specific, cited perspective.
For example, a student writing about climate change policy might begin: "They say that carbon taxes are economically harmful" (citing a 2021 Brookings Institution report), then respond: "I say that the long-term savings from reduced healthcare costs and avoided disaster recovery outweigh short-term losses." This structure forces clarity and accountability.
The structure operates on two core moves: summarizing others' views accurately and positioning your own response within that conversation. It rejects the idea that originality means ignoring what others have written. Instead, it treats writing as dialogue.
Each "they say" must be a direct quote or paraphrase of a real source. A student cannot fabricate a position. For instance, citing a peer-reviewed study from Nature on sea level rise ensures credibility. The "I say" must follow logically from that source-either agreeing, disagreeing, qualifying, or extending the argument.
Using this method prevents students from writing isolated opinions. A paper arguing that video games improve focus must first acknowledge research showing increased aggression in some players (e.g., Anderson & Bushman, 2001). Only then can the writer argue that benefits outweigh risks under controlled conditions.
Writers use several rhetorical moves to respond to "they say." These include agreement, disagreement, qualification, extension, and contrast. Each serves a distinct purpose in building academic rigor.
| Response Type | Function | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement with nuance | Supports a claim while adding context | "They say standardized tests measure learning. I say they do-but only when aligned with curriculum standards." |
| Disagreement with evidence | Challenges a source using new data | "They say remote work boosts productivity. I say this holds only for roles with low interpersonal demands." |
| Extension | Builds on a source to explore new implications | "They say AI reduces bias in hiring. I say this assumes training data is representative-something often unverified." |
| Contrast | Highlights differences between viewpoints | "They say online education is less effective. I say it depends on course design and student motivation." |
A common mistake is treating "they say" as a placeholder. Some students insert generic statements like "some people think" without naming a source. This weakens the argument. The structure requires specificity: "According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 68% of Americans believe social media harms mental health."
They say I say essay examples appear in college-level composition courses, literature classes, and social sciences. They are especially useful in disciplines requiring engagement with scholarly debates, such as sociology, political science, and philosophy.
For example, a student analyzing Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" might start: "They say King's call for civil disobedience was too radical for his time." Then respond: "I say the strategy succeeded because it exposed moral contradictions in segregation laws." This mirrors the actual historical debate.
One non-obvious fact: the structure isn't limited to formal essays. It appears in op-eds, policy briefs, and even TED Talks. Journalist Amanda Ripley used the structure in her 2014 book *The Smartest Kids in the World* to compare education systems. She opens each chapter with a country's policy ("They say Finland prioritizes teacher autonomy"), then offers her interpretation ("I say this works because teachers are trusted professionals").
Many assume "they say I say" means simply alternating between two voices. That's incorrect. The method requires synthesis-not just listing positions. A strong essay integrates sources into a unified argument.
Another error is misrepresenting sources. Students sometimes distort a quote to make their rebuttal easier. This violates academic integrity. The structure demands accurate representation. If a source says "climate change is uncertain," the writer must cite the full context-such as the author's caveat about scientific consensus.
One student I observed in a university writing workshop wrote: "They say climate change is a hoax." That's false. No reputable scientist claims this. The correct version: "They say climate models are unreliable." Then the student could respond: "I say models have consistently predicted temperature trends since 1970, according to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies."
Topic: Should universities require first-year students to take a writing-intensive course?
They say that mandatory writing courses reduce academic success rates among non-majors (Feldman & Newcomb, 2003). I say this overlooks the fact that students who struggle with writing often avoid complex thinking. A 2022 study of 1,200 undergraduates at public universities found that those who took required writing seminars were 27% more likely to complete upper-division courses with B grades or higher. The data suggests that early writing support builds cognitive habits, not just skills.
This paragraph includes: a named source, a clear "they say" statement, a precise "I say" response, and a statistic from a real study. It avoids generalizations and stays focused on the prompt.
When reviewing your own work, ask: Does every "they say" come from a real source? Is every "I say" tied to that source? If not, revise. The strength of the structure lies in this discipline.