“In our view, then, the best academic writing has one underlying feature: it is deeply engaged in some way with other people’s views” (Graff and Birkenstein 3). The quote shows the initial way a reader and writer can be engaged into a response. Basically the importance is stated from Graff and Birkenstein in “If it weren’t for other people and our need to challenge, agree with, and otherwise respond to them, there would be no reason to argue at all” (Graff and Birkenstein 4). Graff and Birkenstein are simply stating that people need each other to create controversial arguments. This quote explains that people need to read more in to depth in order to create a real or accurate statement. This means that when writing an article or making a statement the person must have evidence to back them up. Graff and Birkenstein talk about leaving audiences unsure, because the criticism or opinion is not backed up by anything. If the writer may understand it, does not mean that the reader understands the work or argument put in front of them.

My High School papers were all the same, they start out with a thesis and three arguments to talk about throughout the body of the essay. Everything had to be in order of what the three main points are and how its backing up your statement. After that the body paragraphs would always be the information and the quotes. The conclusion would always be a quick summary and restating the thesis. These papers were all the same, but there was no real response from others. “to be responsive to others and the conversation you’re entering, you need to start with what others are saying and continue keeping it in the reader’s view” (Graff and Birkenstein 28). I agree with this statement that all the evidence is super important and needs to be in order for a simple read. Graff and Birkenstein make some valid points throughout the chapters, I believe that their way of writing is more effective and should take priority over what I used to do in high school.

A key practice in chapter 3 involves avoiding quotation accident, what Steve Benton calls “hit-and-run’ quotations”. This just means that people would leave quotes and drop them here and there throughout the essay or story just because they wanted to get full credit. There was no build up to quotes or no real explanation behind it, which is why its called a “hit and run”. There is no way to just drop your quote, elaborating on the quote is a better form. “finding a relevant quote is only part of your job; you also need to present them in a way that makes their relevance and meaning clear to your readers” (Graff and birkenstein 48). The quote means that there must be context building up to the quote. This gives the quote purpose to be in the sentence or in the paragraph. I was always taught throughout my high school career to build up to a quote and to elaborate on the quote once it has been placed or put into the essay. This method has been very effective over the years to help back up my evidence and to help explain to the readers.