WAW Post #2 They Say/I Say

Write a short "They Say/I Say"argument by picking a part or whole of Graff's argument and responding to it with your own opinion. Basically, this is a summary and response practicing the textbook's suggestions about summary writing. 

They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing

This is one of the books that we are currently using in Advanced Composition.

Book Description 
Publication Date: December 22, 2009  
| ISBN-10: 039393361X | ISBN-13: 978-0393933611 |

Edition: Second Edition

"The book that demystifies academic writing, teaching students to frame their arguments in the larger context of what else has been said about their topic–and providing templates to help them make the key rhetorical moves. 
The best-selling new composition book published in this century, in use at more than 1,000 schools, They Say / I Say has essentially defined academic writing, identifying its key rhetorical moves, the most important of which is to summarize what others have said (“they say”) to set up one’s own argument (“I say”). The book also provides templates to help students make these key moves in their own writing."

In Graff's essay, Hidden Intellectualism, he advocates the belief that "street smarts" are just as important (if not more) as academic schooling. He starts off the essay by describing a person who is young and is impressively "street smart" but does poorly in school(198). He states in his opening paragraph that in some cases it is the learning institutions fault for a student being this way for not taking the chance to take these street smarts and focus it on academic work.

Graff argues that street smarts regarding sports in particular is more compelling in school than standard academic work. He states that "the sports world was more compelling than school because it was more intellectual than school, not less" (202) Although I admire his effort in trying to explain his full thought process, I would have to say that I disagree with the fact that sports are more intellectual than school. I do celebrate the fact that there is quite a bit to learn regarding the sports world, but that doesn't qualify the idea that sports alone is more intellectual than all of the subject matter taught in school.

I will admit that Graff's writing was during a different time than my own personal schooling and that we probably have had two completely opposite experiences, but I feel like education today has a lot more to offer than just learning the rules and regulations of a sport. Along with more interesting topics, personally speaking.
Graff then continues on to end his essay by declaring that colleges and institutions are missing an opportunity by not encouraging their students to take a nonacademic interest and make an object of academic study. Although I disagree with his statement about sports, I do agree that he is making a valid point here (204). Having different mediums, subjects and ideas that a student enjoys can stimulate interest in things they once pushed to the side.