Simplistic Language In Outliers By Malcolm Gladwell

As the text progresses Gladwell’s diction remains cordial and incredibly conversational. The continued usage of informal language perfectly suits the older teens and adults that Gladwell is addressing. Gladwell essentially adopts the role of the teacher which is why relaxed language is the ideal choice for Outliers. While elegant prose would be incredibly euphonic, by using simplistic language Gladwell is able to ensure that his audience will be able to easily understand his definition of success. For instance, when Gladwell writes that “but as is so often the case with outliers, buried in that setback was a golden opportunity” his use of the word “golden” harbors warm connotations which help to convey the positive impact of opportunities upon success while concurrently explaining the complex nature of success in simpler terms (Gladwell 124). By utilizing simplistic language, which is easy to understand, Gladwell is able to adopt the role of a teacher to better aid his students, the audience, in understanding the multiplex existence of success. Gladwell continues to rely on the same modes throughout the …show more content…
Gladwell strives to make it seem as though he is having an intimate conversation with the audience. Much like a good teacher, Gladwell doesn’t hide behind the thoughts of another, instead he works to attain a one-on-one relationship with his audience by presenting his own thoughts and beliefs with sincerity. For instance, when Gladwell writes “but we’re getting ahead of ourselves” he connects himself to his audience by using words such as “we’re” and “ourselves” which help him to create a more personal connection with his audience (Gladwell 120). By making himself the speaker, Gladwell is able to make it seem as though he truly cares about his audience which makes them more likely to accept his unique definition of