Running Head: OUTLIERS BY: MALCOLM GLADWELL

Outliers By: Malcolm Gladwell

Andrea Gonzalez
University of St. Thomas
EDUC 6330: Administrative Internship II
Dr. Virginia Leiker

April 17, 2016

Outliers By: Malcolm Gladwell

Upon arrival at Barnes & Nobel a medium sized white paperback book caught my eye. In
plain black font the word Outliers is written in the middle of the cover. Above that, in smaller
letters, is written #1 National Bestseller. After reading the first few pages of this book it is not
hard to see why. Malcolm Gladwell smoothly navigates the reader through the lives of various
successful people analyzing and explaining the psychological elements of achievement and
success. His pros writing style engages the audience immediately and makes the stories
welcoming and relatable. The chapters are almost conversational in the way they invite the
reader to reflect on his lifes story and past experiences.
Gladwells novel is separated into two parts: opportunity and legacy. These parts are then
divided into chapters and the chapters into sections. Each chapter has a focal point that expands
on the larger picture of success; it cannot be achieved alone. Success is multifaceted in that
several different areas of an individuals life play an important role in their development and
overall achievement. Often, these factors are out of ones control, for example your birthdate,
race, gender, religion, and location of your childhood.
Gladwell wants his audience to experience a paradigm shift in their view of the individual
person. An individuals success is not only attributed to that one person, but to others who have
provided that person with opportunities to succeed. No one can do it alone. I believe he wants
us to be compassionate of others and see their reality in a different perspective. He wants us to
understand why people are the way they are and how they got there. In understanding what
makes someone successful, the community will be better equipped to provide all its members
with opportunity. His message is clear and simple: by understanding what makes someone

Outliers By: Malcolm Gladwell

successful, collectively, we should strive to help produce more successful and overall happy
people.

Outliers By: Malcolm Gladwell