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Malcolm Gladwell Reading Check
Using the PIE Method for Summarization
Over the Thanksgiving break, you should read to the following points in your Malcolm Gladwell books:
Blink – Chapter 3 (Page 98)
David and Goliath – Chapter 4 (Page 124)
Outliers – Part 1 (Page 160)
The Tipping Point – Chapter 3 (Page 132)
What the Dog Saw – Part 1 (Page 148)
On Tuesday, December 3, you must turn in a summarization and critique of what you have read. Write your summary using
the PIE method, outlined as follows:
Paragraph 1:
Point: What is Gladwell’s main thesis in this book? (Begin by writing, “In <Book Title>, Gladwell proposes that <main argument
about how the world works>.”)
Illustration #1: Describe a case study that Gladwell cites as evidence. Cite page numbers from the text. (Put them in
parentheses.)
Explanation #1: Demonstrate how that case study proves his thesis.
Illustration #2: Describe another case study that Gladwell cites as evidence. Cite page numbers from the text. (Put them in
parentheses.)
Explanation #2: Demonstrate how that case study proves his thesis.
Paragraph 2:
Point: Your thoughts on what you have read so far. (Begin by writing something along the lines of, “So far in my reading, I
<agree/disagree> with Gladwell that <reiterate his main argument here> because <give a logical reason why you think he is right or wrong>.)
Illustration: Give an example or anecdote from your life or your own study that illustrates your point.
Explanation: Demonstrate how the illustration above shows that Gladwell is right or wrong.
Extra Credit (worth 10 points):
For students who are reading a book other than David and Goliath: Watch the 12-minute 60 Minutes profile of Malcolm
Gladwell and his latest book, David and Goliath. Write a PIE paragraph summary of the main idea of his book with two case
studies as illustrations (including after each one explanation of how that case proves his point.) So, the format of your
paragraph should be P, I, E, I, E.
For students who are reading David and Goliath: Find another Malcolm Gladwell speech or interview (you choose, but not one
on D&G!) and write a PIE paragraph summary (P, I, E, I, E) for it. Include the URL for your video.
Write your extra credit paragraph on another sheet of paper and staple it to this page.
Name:
Period:
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