Name: _______________________

Please complete this worksheet on Ross Gay’s “Some Thoughts on Mercy” and bring it to our next class session. I
will collect them and they will be factored into your participation grade at the end of the semester. Please include a
page number if you are referring to a specific passage, so that we can find the portion of the text easily in our class
discussion. Print your essay, annotate, and please remember to bring to class!

1. Describe Ross Gay’s depiction of the police. Please be as detailed as possible.

2. Note at least 1 (feel free to include more than 1!) question that you have about the reading. Is there a term
or concept you need clarified? A metaphor or reference you did not understand? A specific passage you
found particularly confusing? Something you hope to understand better?

3. List 3 points/ideas/concepts/passages that you found particularly interesting, thought-provoking, or note-

worthy in Gay’s essay.

4. Identify a reoccurring image in the essay and detail what you believe the image represents or symbolizes.
What role does it play in the story?

5. Formulate one discussion question about Gay’s article to share with the class. Write your question below.