Michelle is a writing instructor at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park where she teaches developmental writing and composition classes. She received her PhD in rhetoric…
This is the first paper I assign in a course based around Outliers. It asks the students to reflect on prior knowledge about the course theme of success, but it simultaneously pulls in the questions that the first chapter of the text brings up about cultural assumptions surrounding success. In this way, it serves the dual purpose of demonstrating to students that they already have some familiarity with the course content while also making them look at the topic in a new way.
Sample Assignment Sheet
“Dispelling the Meritocracy Myth”
Image: CC from ClaraDon
Before the paper formally begins, spend some time in class discussing the overall course theme. Introduce the concepts of success, meritocracy, and the American Dream. Ask students to share personal definitions of success and observations of the American Dream mythos in action.
1 class
Assign the Introduction of Outliers as homework before the next class.
Homework
Use a reading comprehension strategy (such as in-class quizzes, group discussions, etc.) to go over the reading.
30 minutes
Formally introduce the paper by providing the assignment sheet and promoting in-class brainstorming on the topic. Focus primarily on personal experiences with success.
20 min
Assign Chapter 1 as homework before the next class.
Homework
Discuss Chapter 1 using a reading comprehension strategy. These discussions can also be used to talk about reading and annotation strategies.
1 class
Now that students have brainstormed their own experiences with success and read the Introduction and Chapter 1, complicate the notion of success by asking them to reflect on whether their past experiences look the same through the lens of the reading. Encourage free writing on the topic as potential material for the paper.
This discussion can also be used to talk about a writing strategy like organization and/or outlining.
1 class
In class, read “Dispelling the Meritocracy Myth.” Have students read silently for a paragraph or two at a time before stopping to discuss the themes. This is also a great chance to model annotation habits.
Discuss connections between the article and Outliers. Encourage students to explore these connections through free writing as potential material for the paper.
1 class
Review student drafts through a review day strategy (such as peer review, conferences, etc.)
1 class
Assign the final draft of the paper as homework.
Homework
This is a great assignment!