6 pages essay.

Key Terms from Malcolm Gladwell’s Essay “The Physical Genius”:

Physical Genius – affinity for translating thought into action (10).

-the capacity to pick up on subtle patterns that others generally miss (10).

Calculate diversions and factor in interruptions (11).

-special skill that is something of a mystery (11)

· Coordination/ Extraordinary skill

· The feel

· Expertise

· Practice

· Rehearsing

· Strive for perfection

· Obsessive behavior

· Imagination

· Sophisticated Imagination Skills

· Visualization

Chunking – storing long sequences in long term memory in a single unit or chunk (13 &14).

Practice

Self-critiquing

Imagination

Confidence/Attitude

Happiness

Pyramid

Concrete Examples with Page #s:

Charlie Wilson – running and visualization (page 15)

Jordan overcoming adversity (16)

Yo Yo Ma’s perfect performance (16)

Wayne Gretsky (10)

Charlie Wilson extended example (9)

Greg Rusedski (12)

Tony Gwyn (10)

Don Quest (12)

Example Summary of the Don Quest Example on page 12:

Gladwell describes Don Quest, a neurosurgeon and former fighter pilot, in order to illustrate an aspect of physical genius. According to Gladwell, Quest is particularly detailed and is known to read the New York Times cover to cover and prepare meticulously for each of his flights. Quest suggests that people who are the best in their particular field usually adopt similar habits and spend a tremendous amount of time practicing and preparing (12). Quests obsessive tendencies make him a physical genius because they drive him to practice and prepare relentlessly until meeting the physical demands of his jobs become automatic and intuitive. This example demonstrates how compulsive preparation and practice lead to extraordinary skill and, ultimately, to physical genius.