they say i say...

In these chapters the author discusses how to format an argument paper. He starts out by stating that the introduction of "they say" is a good way to start your paper. By sharing journalists opinions, a brief anecdote, or facts found in a prestigious magazine you have somewhere to start your analysis and its a great way to give some background into your topic. Once you have entered into your topic you must them insert the "i say" which is exactly what you think on the subject. It could either be agreeing or disagreeing or it could be both but you must get it all out on the table before moving on to the support you need to back your ideas up.
When presenting where you stand on your subject you then have to find back up for what you are saying. You have to make it persuasive and accurate by still bringing in your ideas and thoughts.
So the "they say, i say" aspect of your argument paper is really just how you present it and where to put the information. In the anecdote at the beginning of the first chapter, the author discussed how the speaker she went to hear just discussed one side of the situation and it wasn't until questioning that the author finally understood the main point to the speech. So bringing that out within probably the second or third paragraph of your paper clarifys to the reader your main purpose of your paper.