Outliers:  The Story of Success Assignment

If you read the Acknowledgements at the end of this book, you will see that a book like this with substantial research is always owing to the work of multiple people, not only the author.  Gladwell recognizes those who critiqued, edited, researched, checked facts, offered insight, etc.   You will be joining these people to further Gladwell’s research. 

YOUR TASKS:

PART I:  OPPORTUNITY

One:      The Matthew Effect

Two:      The 10,000 – Hour Rule

Three:   The Trouble with Geniuses, Part I

Four:     The Trouble with Geniuses, Part II

Five:      The Three Lessons of Joe Flom

 

1.   Each chapter in PART I introduces and discusses a factor which contributes to individuals’ success.    Choose two of the chapters from PART I:  OPPORTUNITY, and help Gladwell further his research.   Find at least two more examples that back up Gladwell’s main points (per chapter) and discuss each in a well organized paragraph.  In the Notes section of this book, Gladwell concisely lists others’ research findings upon which he relied; this may be a good place to look for examples of where to find your own examples.  Then, in a third paragraph, discuss whether you agree or disagree with Gladwell’s findings.  Finally, you will need to cite your sources.  Please note:  when looking for examples to back up Gladwell’s premises, you may conduct your own research, or rely on the research of others.  Both means are acceptable.  A basic outline of Task 1 follows (this is only an example – you may choose any two chapters):

                The Matthew Effect:

                                Example One that I found – paragraph

                                Example Two that I found – paragraph

                                Do I agree or disagree with Gladwell’s findings - paragraph       

                                Citations for examples

                The 10,000 Hour Rule:

                                Example One that I found – paragraph

                                Example Two that I found – paragraph

                                Do I agree or disagree with Gladwell’s findings – paragraph

                                Citations for examples

PART II: LEGACY

Six:         Harlan, Kentucky

Seven:   The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes

Eight:    Rice Paddies and Math Tests

Nine:     Marita’s Bargain

Epilogue: A Jamaican Story

 

2.  One aspect of research is being able to take in a large amount of information and regurgitate it in a simple, concise way.  Then comes the synthesizing and assimilating information to prove your thesis, etc.  For your second task, I want you to simply practice summarizing.  Gladwell separates his chapters into subsections.  For the remaining five chapters of this book, write one sentence ONLY that summarizes each section of each chapter.  Then, find a new quote to replace the one found at the beginning of each of these chapters (chapters six through nine and the epilogue).  Write it below your summary sentences.  This should be done in list form, not paragraph.  For example: 

                Six:  Harlan, Kentucky

                1.  Summarizing Sentence

                2.  Summarizing Sentence

                3.  Summarizing Sentence

                4.  Summarizing Sentence

Replace “Die like a man, like your brother did!”  with  “He wouldn’t of been much of a man if he hadn’t shot them fellows.” (page 169)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have this ready to turn in on the first day of school.  Work turned in one day late will receive a maximum grade of %50.  Any work turned in later than that will receive a zero.  I look forward to seeing you in August!