They say I say intro

In the introduction to "They say I say" The moves that matter in academic writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to help give writers an easier structure in order to generate their writing. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer are able to give the writer an idea of how to approach the way in which they write giving them structure. As the authors themselves put it "One uses these to further his or hers creativity. Although some people believe that templates hinder the originality of the one writing, Graff and Birkenstein insist that the templates are to be used as only a guide. In sum then their views is that these templates are here to prepare and help the writer.

I agree. In my view the types of templates that the authors recommend are very useful and help get the writer started. For instance using the the words "on the one hand, or on the other hand" are very useful in developing one's argument, in addition to referring back to another persons opinion. This way both sides of the argument are actively in the writing. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that templates can be used as a complete writing. In this way they are seen as a shortcut and are not helping to develop the writers ability. Yet I would argue that templates are not developed enough to give the writer something complete, and the writer must therefore fill it in with their own opinions and creativity. Overall I believe that templates are very useful- an important point to make given would be that everyone at one point or another in their lives used a template to help get them started.