TOW 26: Personality trait that most often predicts success by Drake Baer

            According to a recent article published by Drake Baer of Yahoo Finance online, the number one trait in society today that links people to success throughout life is conscientiousness. Though there are a number of other traits, such as agreeableness and extroversion, which have links to the success of individuals, conscientiousness seems to be the one with the most staggering evidence and lifelong implications. With the tendency to be thoughtful and responsible, conscientious people generally succeed in a work or social environment more so than others and are even proven to live longer due to heightened health considerations. In a current American society so driven by the need to be successful, this article is contains information that is highly in demand and is very relevant to an audience of young, average Americans. In writing this piece, the author is conveying the theory that pure intelligence, contrary to popular belief, is not the most important factor to success in today’s society.

            Yahoo business insider Drake Baer appeals to logos very effectively in this article through usage of expert testimony and data. One such example of reliable testimony is when Baer cites University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth as saying that aspects of conscientiousness “self control and grit” are most integral to the academic success of children than their IQs. The author also draws from numerous studies to prove that conscientiousness rather than intelligence is the most important indicator of lifelong success. Baer mentions a convincing study from the National Institute of Mental Health, which shows that conscientious men earn higher salaries than others. The expert data and testimony that the author includes seems irrefutable, and goes a long way towards making the reader agree with his purpose. I feel that Baer utilized information very effectively in this article to appeal logically to his reader and enforce his purpose. As a reader, I am thoroughly convinced that conscientiousness is a vital factor in determining a person’s success.