The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you looking for discussion questions for Tara Westover’s Educated? How can these questions help you better relate to Westover’s story? Educated is the autobiographical story of Tara Westover’s journey from being the child of extreme anti-government, anti-science, and religious fundamentalist Mormon parents to becoming a Cambridge- and Harvard-educated Ph.D. Keep reading for Educated discussion questions.
Do you know how to create a strong argument? Are you prepared to support your claim? When you’re making a bold claim in an argument, people will expect you to back it up. If you fumble or don’t have evidence, people won’t be inclined to believe you. Continue reading to learn how to create a strong argument worth listening to.
Are prestigious schools the best schools? What should parents and students look for when selecting a college? In his book Excellent Sheep, William Deresiewicz claims that elite U.S. colleges and universities are so selective and profit-oriented that they perpetuate social inequality and deprive students of high-quality learning. He argues that the solution is to make high-quality college education accessible to all U.S. students. Keep reading for an overview of the book, along with an exercise to review the content.
What is the purpose of college? Is it to educate students or to generate profits? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz makes the case that elite U.S. colleges and universities prioritize profits over education. They have prestige, but they don’t provide the high-quality education you’d expect. Keep reading to understand Deresiewicz’s argument.
Should college students choose a career-oriented program or a major they enjoy more? What kind of mindset will help them succeed? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz argues that college students can actively create a high-quality education for themselves. He recommends that they connect with inspiring professors, follow their interests, and expect and embrace failure. Continue reading to learn about these three tips for college students.
Who has access to college in America? How might that access be expanded? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz makes the case that elite colleges and universities in the U.S. are selective to the point of detriment. He explains how the government, schools, and parents can collectively overhaul U.S. higher education to alleviate the problem. Continue reading to learn Deresiewicz’s proposed solution.
Why should you choose a liberal arts education rather than a program that emphasizes career development? How is it advantageous both to you as an individual and to society as a whole? William Deresciewicz believes that a college education should benefit both students and society. He contends that the ideal education is a liberal arts program that cultivates students’ self-insight and gives them the skills to uphold democracy. Read more to learn about the benefits of a liberal arts education, according to Deresciewicz.
What is active learning? How can you make your students more engaged in the learning process? An active-learning method is where students engage with the material in a meaningful way as opposed to passively memorizing information. When you take on the role of an educator, it’s important to make active learning central to how you educate others so they can be open to new ideas. Here’s why it’s important to encourage active learning as opposed to rote memorization.
Why do so many students feel pressured to be perfect? Are they competing for what matters most? Admissions criteria at elite U.S. schools are so selective that they harm students. In Excellent Sheep, William Deresiewicz argues that highly-selective college admissions criteria put certain pressures on prospective students and enrolled students. The harm even extends past graduation. Keep reading to learn about these pressures on students.
Why are some college admissions criteria so narrow? Why do elite schools keep their acceptance rates so low? Elite colleges and universities in the U.S. typically accept less than 10% of applicants. In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz makes the case that these institutions are so selective that they actually harm students and society. Keep reading for Deresiewicz’s explanation of why elite schools’ admissions criteria are so selective.