Outliers and Moneyball Essay

For this assignment, you are required to compose an essay that analyzes Moneyball in a format that is similar in style to Malcolm Gladwell. If we consider a “formula” for Gladwell’s presentation he typically:

 Introduces his topic through a brief narrative or example

 Identifies his position/argument within the chapter

 Makes use of case studies/research/data to support his claim

 Returns to the introductory narrative/example to complete his argument

You are asked to follow a similar framework in relation to the film where you must:

 Introduce the dilemma facing the Oakland A’s

o Paragraph Can’t win a world series, cannot compete $ against big name teams (Yankees, Red Sox). How do we compete on our budget?

 Identify the efficacy (worth/value/usefulness) of their player analysis/roster selection with evidence from Outliers

o BULK of Paper:

o Build team based on statistics (chapter one/hockey)

o Consider player overlooked by others

. David Justice (chapter two/10000 hours)

. Scott Hatteberg (play first base) (chapter 4/practical intelligence)

. Chad Bradford (threw “funny”)/(chapter 5/Joe Flom)

o GM/Beane and Manager/Art Howe unable to communicate (chapter 7/Korean airlines)

. Note Peter Brand is Paul DePodesto

 Validate this position from an economic standpoint

o Paragraph: can compete on a limited budget

 Return to the dilemma and draw conclusions based on actions taken by Beane

o Acts as conclusion (paragraph): Beane was a genius/not how you create a team The goals of this paper are to:

 Experiment with rhetorical techniques exemplified in Gladwell

 Draft an extended argument

 Apply case study analysis

Your essay must be MLA formatted and approximately 2-3 pages in length. We will be in the lab for three days to aid you in completing this essay. Your essays are due on Monday, November 21, 2016.