PB2B

            Moves are very important to consider when it comes to writing—and reading—literary sources. No matter what genre of source one may be writing or reading, it is guaranteed to have moves. Moves are pretty much methods that writer utilize in order to get a certain effect on the reader. In this assignment, I will begin by identifying five moves particular to “They Say, I Say” that are used by Julia Nguyen—a Writing 2 student—in the essay entitled “Disciplines of Love” that are used specifically in academic writing; next, I will find and name five other moves from different articles.

            In the first paragraph of the essay, Julia Nguyen captures authorial action when she paraphrases the common ideas of biologists: “Scholars within the discipline of biology approach this idea that…” At the end of the first paragraph, Nguyen adds metacommentary regarding the approaches that biology and communications scholars use for their research and writing: “To sum up, scholars…” Near the beginning of the second paragraph, Nguyen introduces a quotation with the according to X move: “According to Debiec, ‘William James…’” Nguyen uses another move that captures authorial action on page two in the third paragraph: “Debiec provides…” A third move that captures authorial is further down on page two, third paragraph: “Gonzaga concluded that…”

            Peter Elbow uses moves as well in his book entitled “Embracing Contraries: Explorations in Learning and Teaching.” In the introduction of chapter three, Elbow uses a move that I would like to call the “Satirical-exaggeration quote.” In his introduction, Elbow is describing how people react to his proposition of using first order thinking. His satirical-exaggeration quote is used to exaggerate how people react negatively to this idea: “Horrors! Their vigilance muscles will get flabby…” The author used this move in order to hook the reader, and make obvious the controversy risen by people who disagree with or are resistant to the idea of using first-order thinking to write; this is an effective move, because it has caused me to be more engaged with the text and has enlightened about the issues some have with the idea, and it has revealed to me that the reasons to deny first-order thinking are really quite silly.

            A second move that Peter Elbow utilizes I will call the “rebutted/clarifying aside.” This is in the second paragraph, in which Elbow clarifies that he does not just teach first-order thinking but that he values and teaches second-order—or critical—thinking as well: “Of course it’s not the only way I teach thinking through writing….” This is used colloquially by Elbow in its own paragraph to have the effect of an aside, as though he is speaking secretly to the reader, or as though this idea could exist within parenthesis, but is too large to do so; it is done in an aside-sort-of sense because it is not particularly important to the main idea of the paper. This move is effective because it makes me feel closer to the writer and more engaged with the writing, and it is not distracting from the main ideas of the paper; of course, it is not too distracting, but it is more of a rebuttal, so it is good to separate from the rest of the ideas being asserted.

            A third move that Elbow uses will be called the “second-person quotation” or “reader call-out.” This involves Elbow bringing the readers into the text by telling them to do something, or initiating a call of action. For instance, on page fifty-six, Elbow asks the reader to “ask them a hard question and then [say] ‘Now think carefully….’” This move is effective because it engages the readers by calling them out to act on something, which makes his message more relatable and personal; the reader now feels more engaged with Elbow and can visualize a situation in which he or she may do what is asked, and also visualizes a hypothetical situation, which is further engaging.

            A fourth move that Elbow uses will be called the “self-aware concession.” In this case, Elbow is considering counterviews, but is making it apparent that he is aware of considering counterviews: “I have learned not to forget to tell the other side of the story” (pg. 57, PP. 2). This move shows that Elbow is aware of how a solid argument works, and is effective because it makes the reader aware that he knows how to argue well, and consider counterarguments; it establishes his credibility.

            The last move that I will identify will be called the “alliterative counter-ideas,” utilized when he asserts that “the two kinds of thinking have the opposite virtues and vices.” This is a cool move he uses, because it brings up two opposing ideas, but poetically. This is effective because it sticks in the readers mind more because of the way they sound in the ear.