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Haunt

Coates uses this word to describe the lingering effect of good writing. This applies to the writing itself and the subject. He describes how different writing persisted in his thoughts and states that it should be a writer’s goal to haunt the reader.  

The Forest

An analogy used to describe the subject of a person’s writing. The writer is creating a map of a forest, so that readers will feel that they are in the forest. Coates recommends that the writer walk the forest, or experience firsthand the subject of one’s writing. 

Clarity

Coates states that clarity is the goal of writers and journalists, but that clarity is also the writer’s responsibility since it ultimately gives their readers access to truth.  

One-Drop Rule

A racial classification that had the effect of law throughout much of the history of the United States. It stated if a person had any Black ancestors (even just “one drop” of their blood) they were also considered Black, and subject to all the discriminatory laws and rules that in place against people, including segregation. This “rule” was most popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.  

Banking System

A term created by Brazilian educator and theorist Paulo Freire that describes a system of education where students are given information to “hold” but are not taught critical thinking skills. The banking system emphasizes the importance of remembering and recalling information that is supplied by the education system. It does not teach individuals to seek out information outside of the classroom.

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