The+Extensive+Reading+Project

Extensive (or long) reading is the most significant way we can improve our reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills. We will begin with the book //Outliers// by Malcom Gladwell. You'll want to buy it as soon as possible from Amazon or another bookstore.



Read the text of an interview with Malcom Gladwell about //Outliers.// http://www.gladwell.com/outliers/index.html Listen to an interview (14:48) with Malcom Gladwell on the //Charlie Rose// show (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXviNQW2xuo

Complete the reading and writing tasks below. Post your responses to the questions at the Discussion board by 10pm each evening of the due date. Be sure you identify yourself to your classmates. We will be using this page to create a written conversation and record of our reading of //Outliers: the Story of Success.//

February 26 Post your responses to these questions. //Introduction// 1. //What// is the "Roseto Mystery," and //why// does Gladwell begin //Outliers// with it? Be sure to support your responses with evidence (including page numbers) from the text. //One// 2. //Who// is Matthew, //what// is the "Matthew Effect," and //how// does Gladwell use it to illustrate and support his point about success? Be sure to use examples (with page numbers) from the text to support your responses. //Two// 3. Define the 10,000 hour rule. Use 3 different examples from the chapter to explain //how// the rule works in the context of the Matthew effect.

February 27 Post a response to 2 of your classmates' February 26 posts.

February 28 //Three// Post a response to this question. 4. According to Gladwell, //why// is IQ not a reliable predictor of success? Point to the evidence he uses regarding Lewis Terman's study on IQ. In preparation for March 4's question, pay close attention to the story of Chris Langan.

March 1 Post a response to 2 of your classmates' February 28 posts who are in the other Reading Group (i.e. Group 1>2 & Group 2>1)..

March 4 Post a response to this question. //Four// 5. Using both the Roseto mystery and the Matthew effect as context, compare and contrast the "talents" and successes/failures of Chris Langan and Robert Oppenhiemer.

March 5 Post a response to 2 of your classmates' March 4 posts who are in your group and 2 who are in the other Reading Group. .

March 6 Post a response to these questions. //Five// 6. A. Who is Joe Flom? What three lessons does Gladwell say Flom teaches us about the nature of success? B. Write a well-developed paragraph in which you react to Gladwell's explanation of //one// of the three lessons. Be sure to include evidence (from your personal life and/or from the text) to support your opinion.

March 7 Post a response to 2 of your classmates' March 4 posts who are in your group and 2 who are in the other Reading Group.

March 8 Post a response to this question. //Six// 7. What is "the culture of honor" in the context of cultural legacies? Briefly surmmarize historical (hint: the "Appalachian pattern") and scientific examples that Gladwell gives to illustrate his definition of the culture of honor. Then evaluate the concept of cultural legacy, agreeing or disagreeing with its main premise.

March 11 Post a response to 2 of your classmates' March 4 posts who are in your group and 2 who are in the other Reading Group.