Cord Jefferson

MAIN IDEAS: Marks is factually incorrect; there is often more going on than a
lack of interest or motivation; with poverty there is often a lot happening that
we may not know about; that poverty can have complex personal,
psychological, behavioral effects on young people.
RHEROTICAL/WRITING STRATEGIES: pathos, appeals to emotion; this draws
attention to individual experiences; this draws our attention to the way
individuals are not simply statistics.

Baratunde Thurston:

MAIN IDEAS: points out Markss ignorance about the situation of poor black
kids; points out ways Markss ideas wont work (e.g., going to a magical
guidance counselor); uses sarcasm to mock Marks and in doing so undercuts
Markss presumed authority.
RHETORICAL/WRITING STRATEGIES: Sarcasm; says he does everything Marks
says and that it all works.

Ta-Nehisi Coates:

MAIN IDEAS: Similar to Cord Jefferson. But, a more nuanced take on the
underlying principleswe must be fully empathetic, muscularly empathetic,
and accept our own weaknesses when trying to understand the experiences
of others.
RHETORICAL/WRITING STRATEGIES: Some logos, fair amount of ethos and
pathos. Writing style is not confrontational but is rich.