"The Ouliers"

This week, I was fortunate enough to have a rather good reading period in AP Lang. We were assigned to read a chapter from " The Outliers", a novel that encompasses the road to success. Malcolm Gladwell's novel offers several clear arguments. In the chapter we read ( The 10,000 Hour Rule), the author argues against the following theory: 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to master something.
While Gladwell recognizes that it takes a considerable amount of time to master something, other factors must be taken into account.

Success is entailed by part innate talent and acquired opportunities. Gladwell brings about these major points by using several examples from non famous , yet successful individuals such as Bill Joy to famous individuals such as Bill Gates. In each of their stories ( and the stories of other successful people), the author uncovers their road to success which all take a similar path. They are given extraordinary opportunities that are basically part of their luck. Bill Joy was very smart but he was not into programming until he visited a specific college. This college had new technology. The technology was available to him at certain times. His practice with the technology lead to success. Also, the technology was very new and not really prevalent in a lot of other places. Because of his innate talent and lucky opportunities, Bill Joy became successful.  These track of events are explained in greater detail in the novel with the use of several other examples.

Overall, I agree with the authors basic premise on how people achieve success. It is part natural/genetic intellectual capability but the other half is the lucky oppurtuntities people encounter through life. In order to be an oulier, defined by Gladwell as those that have luck lined up for their success and benefit, one must really be lucky to achieve great success.

Side Note- Although I read a chapter out of the entire book , the rest of the novel seems like an interesting read. The authors tone engaged me to actually read through his argument. His rhetorical devices also thoroughly persuaded me. He uses data, facts, examples, and other strategies to win over the reader. One of the biggest things Gladwell does is inform the reader without tieing in everything together then allows the reader to deductively come to the same conclusion the author argues. I plan to read this book over summer as it recieves great reviews and grabbed my undivided attention.