If I were given the chance to teach Freshmen about writing in Sci-Fi field, I would like to teach them how to make a “They Say I Say” structure. I personally feel that being able to respond to  another idea is extremely important and essential for writing, especially in Sci-Fi field. Sci-Fi works are naturally bonded with real life sciences and imagination. However, neither of these two elements can work without the other. As authors, we have to learn to balance between realistic values and our own perspectives. By using a “They Say I Say” structure, authors can effectively show readers their thesises and the reason they write. In addition, referring to others’ works can also increase the credibility of our own papers much as Sci-Fi authors implement real-life technologies to make audiences feel that their stories are based on real life.

I have designed several activities so that students will get engaged in class. First of all, I will let students make a Pecha Kucha presentation since I really love the one we did this year. I did not do perfectly on my presentation since I failed to apply close reading skills. Based on my mistake, I will ask my students to focus on close reading. I would not necessarily ask them to pick a physical object, but I will ask them to pick a critic who they are interested in. I will ask them to pick 20 quotes from the critics’ works and comment on those quotes. They can either support or refute those quotes but within 20 seconds. In this way, students need to figure out what is the most important part of their quotes and thus respond to it. Furthermore, I will let them write a formal research paper based on this presentation. They can have different topics, but they have to include at least two quotes they used in their presentation. In this way, students need to think how they can build their essay around evidences and thus learn to use “They Say I Say” structure.