Name:_______________________________________________________ Period:_________ Date:____________________________

Ta-Nehisi Coates and the Beautiful Struggle: “Letter to My Son” Mini-Project

Due Date: Thursday, Aug. 30th, in-class presentations

Background: So far, we’ve examined excerpts from Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates in written,
spoken and visual form. Accompanying the release of the book in July of 2015, Coates published a condensed
version of his argument in digital form as an article in The Atlantic magazine website. This article will provide
the basis for our final “Long Look” at this challenging material.

Assignment: Read the article, either in PDF format on Canvas or on The Atlantic magazine website (the link is
here), and complete the following activities based on our thinking routine for the year (Notice, Think,
Wonder, Connect):

1. Make (5) five observations about the reading that you find most striking or compelling. Answer the
question, “What do you see?” You might only need 2-3 sentences for each observation (but you also
might need more).

2. Take some time to think about the tone or the mood of what you’ve read. Between the World and Me
has been controversial because of what some perceive as its “negative” view of American history. What
do you think? Is Coates’ perspective on the American experience hopeful or pessimistic? Or is this
distinction even adequate? Make sure to use specific evidence from the text to support your argument.

3. Ask some questions. What do you wonder about? You only need to ask 2-3 question here (but if you
have more, feel free to share them with me and your classmates). You do not need to provide any
answers.

4. Finally, Between the World and Me demands some kind of response. You might do one of two things
here (but you only have to do one of the two, not both):

a. Compose a “Big Picture” summary of what you think Coates’ argument is in “Letter to My Son.”
This summary should not be more than two pages (250-500 words) and should focus on the
broad sweep of the argument as opposed to the specific details. What argument is Coates trying
to make? What is he trying to accomplish by writing this book? Prepare a presentation for the
class of no more than 3-5 minutes to accompany your summary.

b. Prepare an “artistic” response to what you’ve read. This might be a sketch, a poem, a song, a
story, a painting, a video, a collage or some other option. Allow yourself to be moved by Coates’
work and be creative! You will have 3-5 minutes to present your work to the class.

Rubric:

Thoroughness and Thoughtfulness in answering questions: 25%

“Big Picture” Summary or Creative Response: 50%

In-Class Presentation: 25%

Total points: 100