Exploring the Text

1. Why do you think Malcolm Gladwell begins his piece by retelling the story of the lunch counter sit-in at the Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina? How does it serve as the foundation for his argument?

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   Exploring the Text: - Why do you think Malcolm Gladwell begins his piece by retelling the story of the lunch counter sit-in at the Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina? How does it serve as the foundation for his argument?
2. What does Gladwell mean when he writes, “Where activists were once defined by their causes, they are now defined by their tools” (par. 7)? Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain your answer.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What does Gladwell mean when he writes, “Where activists were once defined by their causes, they are now defined by their tools” (par. 7)? Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain your answer.
3. How does Gladwell define “high-risk activism” (pars. 11–12)? Why does he believe that activism based on social media cannot qualify as “high-risk”? Consider the contrast between “weak ties” and “strong ties” as part of your response.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - How does Gladwell define “high-risk activism” (pars. 11–12)? Why does he believe that activism based on social media cannot qualify as “high-risk”? Consider the contrast between “weak ties” and “strong ties” as part of your response.
4. What is the difference between increasing motivation and increasing participation, according to Gladwell? Why is the distinction between the two important to his argument?

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   Exploring the Text: - What is the difference between increasing motivation and increasing participation, according to Gladwell? Why is the distinction between the two important to his argument?
5. Gladwell does not entirely discount the power of social media. What benefits or positive effects does he grant to social media?

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   Exploring the Text: - Gladwell does not entirely discount the power of social media. What benefits or positive effects does he grant to social media?
6. Throughout this essay, Gladwell relies heavily on expert testimony, citing scholars, researchers, business analysts, state department officials, and security advisors. Choose two examples, and discuss how Gladwell uses one to support his argument and the other to examine a counterargument.

   Question

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   Exploring the Text: - Throughout this essay, Gladwell relies heavily on expert testimony, citing scholars, researchers, business analysts, state department officials, and security advisors. Choose two examples, and discuss how Gladwell uses one to support his argument and the other to examine a counterargument.
7. At key junctures in the essay, Gladwell makes sharp personal comments. In fact, his ending, “Viva la revolución,” could be read as downright sarcastic. What others do you notice? Do these editorial comments undercut his argument or do they add to it? Explain your answer.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - At key junctures in the essay, Gladwell makes sharp personal comments. In fact, his ending, “Viva la revolución,” could be read as downright sarcastic. What others do you notice? Do these editorial comments undercut his argument or do they add to it? Explain your answer.