51 pages • 1 hour read
Cal NewportDeep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
What is Cal Newport’s position on social media? What rhetorical strategies does he use to make his argument?
How does Newport use anecdotes? What impact do they have on the book’s tone and message? Choose three anecdotes and describe how they support Newport’s arguments.
Choose one of Newport’s pieces of advice, such as abstaining from social media as an experiment for 30 days. How realistic is this advice in real-world applications? What would the opposite side argue?
How does Gallagher draw from the work of Winnifred Gallagher to make his argument about attention?
How does Newport’s background in computer science influence the structure of the book?
Why does Newport recommend that people schedule as much of their free time as possible?
How might Newport tweak his message if he wrote his book for CEOs versus employees?
The book is packed with strategies for limiting distractions in life. Reflect on your own work habits. Which of these strategies will have the most impact in your own work life? Why?
How is deep work a lifestyle, not just an approach to work? What rhetorical strategies does Newport use to make his argument?
Newport begins his conclusion with an anecdote about Bill Gates. What is his purpose in doing so and does he achieve it? Why or why not?
