They Say / I Say with Readings

By Paul G. Cook, Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein

Beloved by millions of students, "They Say / I Say" peels back the curtain on academic writing in a way no other book does. Drawing on new coauthor Paul Cook's expertise in rhetoric and digital culture, the Seventh Edition helps students demystify visual arguments, active reading, generative AI, and more in a world now shaped by media, algorithms, and chatbots. And more than simply teaching about the moves, this essential little book gets students practicing their "I say" in every chapter through actionable advice, exercises, and the ebook's embedded writing prompts.

Highlights of this edition's new content:

New coauthor Paul Cook, professor of English at University of South Carolina Beaufort, brings his expertise in writing pedagogy, rhetoric, and media studies to revitalize the Seventh Edition's coverage of visual argument, reading strategies, and digital culture, particularly: A new chapter, "As This Image Suggests," prepares students for today's growing need to understand and respond to visual arguments--from ads to memes to fine art--with step-by-step advice on analyzing what an image "says" and framing an "I say" in response. Reading advice is even more prioritized, with the "Reading for the Conversation" chapter thoroughly revised and moved to Part 2 to show right away the rhetorical moves students need to read actively--offering templates, new advice on annotating and "talking" with a text, and new examples and exercises. A new InQuizitive for Writers activity builds AI literacy, focusing on how generative AI tools work and what their drawbacks are, how to make ethical rhetorical choices, and the importance of maintaining your own voice. Interactive courseware motivates students to join the conversation and practice the rhetorical moves that matter from the moment they open the ebook as they complete the new low-stakes writing activities embedded at the end of each chapter and reading. In the version with readings, a new chapter tackles the question of "What's the Good Life All About?" with readings on work, personal finance, and finding purpose. Nearly half of the selections in the book are new to this edition, with 11 visual arguments included.

• Format: Misc.
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1324136103
• ISBN13: 9781324136101
• Release Date: July 2027
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company