AP Language Finals Week
Discussion Test Questions
- In his review of Malcolm Gladwell’s work, Steven Pinker writes, “[t]he reasoning in “Outliers,” which consists of cherry-picked anecdotes, post-hoc sophistry and false
dichotomies, had me gnawing on my Kindle.” Is Pinker’s criticism a fair look at Gladwell’s work? Why or why not? - In Outliers, Gladwell argues, “It is not the brightest who succeed. Nor is success simply the sum of the decisions and efforts we make on our own behalf. It is, rather, a gift. Outliers are those who have been given opportunities – and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them.” Defend/refute/qualify this argument.
- Michiko Kakutani writes that Gladwell’s “assessments turn individuals into pawns of their cultural heritage, just as Mr. Gladwell’s emphasis on class and accidents of historical timing plays down the role of individual grit and talent to the point where he seems to be sketching a kind of theory of social predestination, determining who gets ahead and who does not – and all based not on persuasive, broadband research, but on a flimsy selection of colorful anecdotes and stories.” Using evidence from the text and class discussion, defend, refute or qualify Kakutani’s assertion that Gladwell unfairly plays down the importance of individual grit and talent as determinants of success.
- Discuss the 10,000 hour rule and evaluate its relationship to success.
- Explain how Gladwell’s personal biography at the end of the book either supports or refutes his larger arguments in the book.
- Explain how the chapters about hockey players and airline pilots prove the same essential argument.
Research Paper
Final draft is due on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. You may hand me a copy in class, but must also submit to turnitin.com.
