TSIS Pg: 14 #2

In the Introduction to "They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to kick start the writing process when writing a paper and the templates also allow the writer tweak and master the template to their own writing style, liking, and creativity level. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of templates they offer give a format for writing that allows you to get your point across. As the authors themselves put it, "...these templates do not dictate the content of what you say, which can be as original as you can make it. In addition, once you begin to feel comfortable with the templates in this book, you will be able to improvise creatively on them and invent new ones to fit new situations and purposes." Although some people believe that the templates will in fact take away from their creativity, Graff and Birkenstein insist that creativity depends on a set form, once the format is mastered then creativity can be added and the format changed to fit your creativity. In sum, then, their view is that the templates will not stifle the creativity of the writer but will be helpful to them.
I agree with Graf and Birkenstein. In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend and provide in the book are to be used as help and are not meant to stifle the imagination of the writer. For instance, in the opening to the essay "Don't Blame the Eater," by David Zinczenko, the essay uses a similar template to that of what the authors provided and the writing is still interesting, fresh and imaginative. In addition, this shows that templates can be used as a helpful guide in writing and are not intended to stifle the imagination of the writer. Whilst, some may argue that the templates may not be as helpful as they meant to be for some writers. Overall, then, I believe those who have a hard time using templates should try, at least, to incorporate the templates ideas with their own, so that it works and is helpful for them. In Conclusion, I believe that everyone has the possibility to use templates to their advantage without stifling their imagination.

Note:
I decided to change the ending of the template that was provided for us to work with because I was not able to come up with enough information to fill in all the blanks, and I felt like I had already repeated myself enough.