Why, according to the authors of They Say / I Say, do the “so what?” and “who cares?” questions so often go unanswered?

Question

Answer

Answering them requires more evidence than most writers can gather.

Answer

Writers and speakers assume that audiences already know the answers or will work them out on their own.

Answer

Academic style prohibits addressing readers directly.

Answer

Instructors actively discourage students from addressing them.

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