Write an analysis of a particular aspect of Between the World and
Me. You should choose a focused/narrow topic rather than trying to
cover the whole book. You could certainly talk about his argument
and exploration of racism (or some aspect of it to keep it manageable
in a short essay). You could also explore how the text works as a
memoir–how he presents his experience and what it shows, his
voice, the effect of addressing his son as a technique, the imagery or
narrative he presents, and so forth. Those approaches seem likely to
include the topic of racism and other issues he is helping us see, but
might help make the topic manageable and the focus tighter.
Approach and Structure:
The essay should include a clear central claim offering an
interpretation of some aspect of the text (no plot summary, just
analysis/interpretation).
The introduction should state this claim (your thesis), give an
overview of subtopics that the essay will cover, and include a sense
of why your thesis and topic are significant (to give your essay a
sense of purpose).
The body paragraphs should each explain a subtopic and offer a
quote or two (and in some cases, examples of details as well as
quotes, but quotes are just fine) to illustrate each paragraph’s main
idea. In other words, the paper will involve a “close reading” of
specific moments in the text, which means closely analyzing the
language and offering a sense of its effects and meanings.
You may build on my notes and the discussions, but should also offer
your own thoughts about the topic.
You need not do any secondary research; your evidence for your
analysis is the primary text (the story itself). If you want to refer to
secondary material (such as a historical reference or perhaps theory
that explores class or gender, for instance) you are welcome to do so
but just focusing on the text itself is plenty.
A successful essay will be well-written, thoughtful, full of analysis and
interpretation of the meanings and effects of aspect(s) of the memoir,
and supported with examples (quotes) from the text.
