Directions: In order to help guide your drafting for WA3, please complete the template below.
Other Resources:
★ Remember also that you addressed a similar topic in Comp I (Explaining a Concept). It may be helpful
to look back at the “9 Ways to Define.”
★ Guide for Writing in Ch. 9
★ Exemplary Commencement Speeches or search some on your own
Part I: Brainstorming.
Word/Concept of significance:
NO CLICHES!
Failure
Definition/s: what are the parts of
that definition or multiple
meanings that already exist?
Lack of success.
The omission of expected or required action.
Connotations: what do people
associate--fairly or not--with this
word/concept?
Failure can make you feel demoralized, helpless, hopeless, and anxious
Purpose: Is this a NEW concept
about which the audience will
likely be unfamiliar? OR is this an
OLD concept they wish to
reexamine or complicate? Explain.
Attempting to fail to grow from the experience.
Claim: What do you want to SAY
about this word/concept? What is
the ARGUMENT OF
DEFINITION you are proposing?
Something clever, intriguing,
unexpected!
Attempt to fail to grow from the experience.
Which APPEAL(S) do you
imagine you will rely on the
most?
Pathos and logos
Describe Tone: Examples
Inspirational
Part II: Research/Supporting Texts: These could help set historical or otherwise important context, serve to
define the word/concept, examine a point you want to dismantle or disagree with, provide an illustrative
quotation, or represent relevant data/statistics. ALL sources should be strong and credible.
Title and Author/Creator
of Text
Paste Hyperlink
Ways this source will help you
Text 1: FAILURE TO
LEARN FROM
EXPERIENCE
https://www.criminalthin
king.net/product/gfailure-to-learn-fromexperience/#:~:text=Failin
g%20to%20learn%20from
%20experience%20is%20o
ne%20of%20they%20key,
Stephen%20Covey's%20ti
me%20management%20m
atrix.
❏ Expand my knowledge on the subject
❏ Give me new ideas
Text 2: Strategies for
Learning from Failure
https://hbr.org/2011/04/str
ategies-for-learning-fromfailure
❏ Find out some counter arguements
https://www.betterup.com
/blog/learning-fromfailure
❏ Gives me more details about the topic
❏ Broadens already known subjects for me
Amy C. Edmondson
Text 3: Why learning
from failure is your key
to success
❏ Statistical facts to include
Madeline Miles
Part III: Flash Outline: Because this essay is organized a bit differently, you will create a flash outline meaning it may contain less content than previous outlines. Create your outline in the box below. You must
include:
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introduction that begins with you/your perspective/your story
transition from introduction to your thesis (and more formal/third person part of speech)
clear claim of definition about a word or concept of importance/significance
● Subpoints outlined (what are several angles/strategies you will use to approach this definition)
● evidence for sub points including at least one outside source (from Part II)
potential counterclaims/counter arguments/naysayers/oversimplifiers acknowledged and briefly addressed
clever repetition or creative writing techniques used to weave the claim of definition throughout in a way that
increases clarity and power
conclusion that circles back to your opening story of self and importance of your argument
Failure should be learned from