Luther Saint Jean

Rosario/Shecter

AP Language and Composition

December 1, 2017

Ta- Nehisi Coates in the book, Between the World and Me, explains that living in the U.S. as an African

American isn’t easy because of racial profiling. The author writes in a formal tone for his son and the people

who read his book. Coates supports his explanation by demonstrating Ethos (a greek word meaning Ethics:

reliability, credibility) to show how he has been part of racial profiling; he experienced it. The author’s

purpose is to convince us as Americans, that racism still lives among us in order to point out that we should

speak up and make a change so that everyone can be equally treated.

Coates uses Ethos when he said “It was always right in front of me” (pg 3). Abusive actions were

happening in front of him while still a child. Coates also uses Ethos when he said that “I used to sit on the

front steps of my home watching” (pg 4). He had a glimpse of everything occurring. He grew up seeing

fear, slavery, abuse and racial profiling in his neighborhood. Growing up and seeing this most likely had

an impact on Coate’s life. It made Coates reflect on the saying that “All men are created equal.” It made

him think “Is there really justice in this world?” It also might affect his son by making him have trust issues

in the future.

Coates also uses Pathos (a greek word that shows emotions, values, and feelings) because he explains

that the people were in fear living in their neighborhood and country (pg 4). They didn’t feel protected and

secure. He himself was afraid and in fear (pg 3). This fear passed on from generation to generation.

Although some aspects changed a bit, fear, abuse, and racism still exist today and it can be seen everywhere.
 Coates uses Logos (a greek word meaning logic, reason) when his son was crying after Michael

Brown’s announcement of indictment and he didn’t comfort him. He said “I didn’t hug you, and I didn’t

comfort you, because I thought it would be wrong to comfort you. I did not tell you that it would be okay,

because I have never believed it would be okay. This is your country, your world, and your body, and you

must find some way to live within the all of it“ (pg 3). He uses Logos because he was explaining and trying

to reason with his son that everything wouldn’t go his way or has planned, that there would always be an

obstacle to overcome and that he would have to to find a way to conquer and take control over his body

(life).

Grading Rubric:
4 3 2 1
ANALYSIS Claim is clear and Claim is clear; text Claim is somewhat Claim is unclear; text
paragraphs insightful; well-chosen evidence is well- unclear; text evidence evidence does not
text evidence is chosen; explanation makes sense but make sense;
woven seamlessly links text evidence to seems disconnected; explanation does not
into student’s own claim. Adequately explanation attempts link text evidence to
writing; explanation analyzes the to link text evidence to claim. Inadequately
thoroughly links text rhetorical choice(s). claim with only partial analyzes the
evidence to claim. success. Analyzes the rhetorical choice(s).
Effectively analyzes rhetorical choice(s).
the rhetorical
choice(s).
Rhetorical appeals Student shows Student show working Student shows partial Student shows
thorough understanding of understanding of minimal
understanding of chosen rhetorical chosen rhetorical understanding of
chosen rhetorical choice(s). choice(s). chosen rhetorical
choice(s). choice(s).