I find that almost all conversations, not just arguments or those on paper, begin with an observation. That observation could be of the surroundings, another person’s actions, or, as is the case in written arguments, another person’s words. An observation of any nature provides the context for whatever follows. This is likely obvious to most people when explained this way. Yet, I think that the way They Say I Say breaks down the actual structure of an argument, which is often followed unconsciously, is a great help to writers to want to improve their work by being more aware of their creative process. On its very first page, the book likens a mastery of writing to that over other skills, such as cooking or driving. While I agree that there are many relevant parallels which can be drawn, I believe that Graff and Birkenstein missed an opportunity to mention the disparity between one’s skill as a writer and one’s skill as a speaker. Most people display relative mastery over the speech, able to express themselves in a way that establishes context for their thoughts. This does not necessarily carry over to their writing. A gifted painter does not a talented sculptor make, and an inspiring speaker could just as well be illiterate. The spoken and written word are entirely different mediums of communication, each with their own dimensions and limitations, many of which are not directly applicable to the other. One difference often encountered when expressing oneself in text is that, as opposed to a spoken conversation, there may be no preestablished context for your thoughts. Being able to establish this context efficiently and eloquently is an important skill, and although the application of this skill it may seem come naturally or seem like a no-brainer, being cognizant of the way we approach our own writing is the only way to better it.