Importance of Templates

In the introduction to “They Say / I Say”: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkinstein provide templates deigned to make writings more persuasive, understandable and straightforward. Specifically, Graff and Birkinstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer enhance the writing styles of people, by offering them to use the same patterns and at the same time make their writings creative and different from others. As the author themselves put it “The templates will actually help your writing become more original and creative, not less. After all, even the most creative forms of expression depend on established patterns and structure”. Although some people believe that following a specific writing patterns or templates is sophomoric and imitative, Graff and Birkinstein insist that it makes a conversation livelier and impose different viewpoints in people’s mind which they can further question. It also makes writing more organized and easy to follow. In sum their view is that following a template, writings or conversations don’t get boring. It illustrates others opinions, as well as give you a chance to prove your own and overall demonstrates an articulate presentation.

I agree with Graff and Birkinstein. In my view the types of templates that the authors recommend are helpful and act as a framework to an argument and persuasive essays. For instance, let’s say that you are a novice at writing and find it hard to persuade your viewpoints. With the help of templates, you can follow a structure that helps you to build a backbone of your argument. You can stay fair by including others opinions, and then your own opinions. You can also assume a possible argument your opponent might make and plan a logical rebut that’s supported by evidence. In addition, the templates would make it easier for the audience or the readers to choose their sides. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Few might think that your...