Chapter: "So What? Who Cares?"
“So What? Who Cares?” is one of the chapters in the book, “They Say I Say” that is written by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein which primarily acts as a form of guideline for composing pre-eminent scholastic essays. In the chapter, the authors explain that it is imperative for a writer to state why their arguments matter. It is essential to answer the question ‘So What? in relation to how the argument applies to real-world situations whereas addressing the question ‘Who Cares?’ recognizes the person concerned with the argument itself (Graff and Birkenstein).
Importance of Addressing "So What?" and "Who Cares?"
At first glance, academics and students might say that the contents in this chapter do not carry so much weight when it comes to composing a stupendous academic essay because the prime factor in writing a good essay is to make sure that a strong claim exists and that it gets explicitly supported by logical evidence. Furthermore, the same academics and students may assume that their audience is already aware of who is getting addressed and of the relationship of the argument to real-life situations and thus do not see the need of repeating themselves every time. But on closer inspection, academics and students realize that a strong claim is not enough if the audience being addressed loses interest in the argument somewhere in the middle. They realize through Graff and Birkenstein that addressing these questions pulls the readers to one’s work as they feel the connection and want to be part of the process of solving the real issue.
Relevance to a Wider Audience
Although this chapter may seem of concern to only a small group of people that is, the students and academics, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about and indulges in literary work. In the world we live in today, the majority of scholastic institutions including publishing companies and prestigious universities are mainly concerned with the extent in which a writer can employ the necessary creative skills and techniques and compose a well thought out, well-structured argumentative scholastic essay that engages the readers and relates to real-life situations. They require an essay that leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind of its importance and who should consider it. Although having the perfect thesis supported by logical evidence is a win, none of it matters if the audience does not comprehend the basis for the work.
Work Cited
Graff Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say I Say. W. W. Norton " Company, 2010.
