This article shows that the geometric arrangement of carbon atoms plays an important role in oxidative phenomena. Atoms situated in a plane of cleavage are less reactive than those situated along an edge. Impurities, dislocations, and irregularities perturb the kinetics of oxidation. Surface oxides, methods of oxidation, the oxidation of graphite, and the oxidation of coke are discussed. Not enough is known about the structure of coke to relate the oxidation of graphite to the oxidation of coke.