Reading & Discussion 9: Outliers Chapter 1 “The Matthew Effect” and “Brainology”

• In your first Discussion post, identify an idea or ideas expressed in both “The Matthew Effect” and “Brainology” that interest you.
• Choose one of the topics below:

1. 1. you can explain the idea, and in-so-doing cite examples of it from your life experience and education; or
   2. you can argue for it, giving reasons, examples, and information in support of the idea; or
   3. you can argue against it, giving reasons, examples, and information against the idea; or
   4. you can explain the causes of the idea, providing reasons, examples, and information; or
   5. you can explain the effects of the idea providing reasons, examples, and information.

Here’s an example of an idea taken from Outliers chapter 1: 

• • On page 19 of Outliers, Gladwell argues that “It is only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn’t.” 
  • Important:  Actively use quotations from Outliers as well as examples from  your personal experience and your education to illustrate and validate your thoughts about Gladwell’s claim in that idea you have chosen in both “The Matthew Effect” and “Brainology” that interest you.

Example: Here’s an example of an idea taken from “Brainology”:

• • “How should we praise our students? How should we reassure them? By focusing them on the process they engaged in — their effort, their strategies, their concentration, their perseverance, or their improvement.