When reporting what others have to say, we distinguish between what they say and our interpretations, and while in conversation this can often be assumed, in writing we must mark clearly, using report structures, where our source leaves off and where we begin
Report Structures
- Verbs for reporting explains report structures and offers a preliminary list of reporting verbs
- Annotated Bibliography offers example paragraphs
- Resume Action Verbs offers more reporting verbs in categories relevant for business students
They Say / I Say
In many contexts, foregrounding your voice and opinion is central to the creation of a compelling narrative, an argument, and in particular the ethos of a thoughtful observer — someone who is trying honestly to account for all sides and is making a reasoned argument — as you will find in They Say / I Say
- “While I agree with points A and B, I do not believe …
- “Although Jones …, I would suggest that …
- “… Therefore, it can be stated that …
- “All articles reviewed emphasized the importance of A …
Telling Stories
In the literature review, we mark this distinction carefully and obviously, but when we present and would persuade, we complicate our reporting with yet another dimension: storytelling: