Proof

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Inauguration

Step 1

Start by watching the following news segment about New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “improbable” victory. When the clip is over, briefly discuss why he has garnered so much attention compared to his predecessors.

Step 2

Read “Proof” by Cornelius Eady. Eady composed this original piece to recite at Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony. As you are reading, have them think about how the poem mirrors the sentiment of the occasion and the collective hopes, tensions, and responsibilities of the city in this moment.

Step 3

Say, “Think of what your “inauguration poem” would look like for this occasion. What would you focus on? What would you include? Who would be included? What would be the tone? Take a few minutes to brainstorm.”

Step 4

Ask your students to compose a poem that they would perform at Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony. They may pick another figure if they’re having difficulty generating ideas for their piece.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one.

Step 2

All of the materials can be found in the following presentation. The steps to the assignment, however, are reproduced below.

• Show your students the news segment of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 election.
• Now read Cornelius Eady’s “Proof,” an original piece he created/recited at Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony.
• Read through the following directions with your students.
  • Read “Proof” by Cornelius Eady, paying close attention to the literary elements and techniques used to convey the meaning of the work as a whole.
  • Now read Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inaugural address to New York at his inauguration ceremony on January 1st, 2026. Pay close attention to the rhetorical/literary elements he uses to convey his message.
  • Finally, look at the following pieces of art commissioned for the “Art on the Grid” art exhibition in New York. The project asked artists to translate lived experience in New York City into visual form, highlighting voices, moments, and identities that are often overlooked. Pay particular attention to the pieces’ visual elements and how they reflect the “voices, moments, and identities” of New York City.
  • Choose one element (word, phrase, quote, piece of art, etc.) from EACH of the three resources (the poem, the speech, and the artwork) that thematically reflect or mirror each other. Place each piece of evidence in the provided spaces for you appropriate slide. For the artwork space, choose a different piece of art – per set of connections – to pair with the two chosen pieces of evidence.
  • On the following slide, write a brief analysis that analyzes the intersection(s) between your three pieces of evidence. Your analysis should consist of no less than 125 words and utilize evidence from all three resources.

When your students are done, have them share their responses with one another. You may ask your students to share their presentations so their peers can see their chosen quotes and artwork.