Prof. Amarnick
Spring 2019
Essay #2
First version, due on Blackboard, no later than noon, Saturday, April 13.
Second version, three copies printed out, due in class on Tuesday, April 30.
Third version, one copy printed out, due in class on Thursday, May 2 (also post on Blackboard).
Length: 5 pages or more, typed, double spaced.
Quote from the following texts:
Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run
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Jessica Bennett, “On Campus, Failure Is on the Syllabus”
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At least two of the links included in the online version of Bennett’s article
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You are welcome (but not required) to add any other material
[Y]ou learn much more from failure than success, and honestly analyzing one’s failures can lead to the type of introspection that helps us grow — as well as show that the path to success isn’t a straight line.”
Tim Herrera, “Do You Keep a Failure Resumé?: Here’s Why You Should Start.” The New York Times, Feb. 3, 2019
By the end of the “Growin’ Up” section of Born to Run (up to page 203), Bruce Springsteen is in his mid-twenties and on the verge of becoming a huge star.
Certainly, a lot of really great things happened to Springsteen on his road to stardom. But as you look at his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, which of his failures and setbacks do you think were most important in leading to his eventual success?
And, while few people would say that there is nothing to be learned from failure, there is plenty of room for disagreement about how much time and energy we should spend thinking about it. Based on your own experiences and observations, and what you’ve learned from reading Jessica Bennett’s article and at least two of the links in it, what is your opinion about the growing attention being given to the subject of failure? Is there now too much talk about failure? Not enough? One of the things I’d like you to write about in particular: the “certificate of failure” that some students at Smith College receive when they get to campus. In your view, is this something that nearly all students in all colleges would benefit from, no matter what their experiences have been previously? Is this something that only a select group of students would benefit from—perhaps, say, only those who have always felt a tremendous pressure to succeed? Or is this just an insane idea altogether?
Make sure your essay has a beginning, middle, and end.
In the beginning section [at least half a page], “hook” the reader with a lively title and lively opening sentences. By the end of this section, include a thesis that makes your views clear both about Springsteen and the larger topic of failure.
In the middle section, develop your thesis. Talk in depth about Springsteen [at least two pages], then make a transition to the broader topic of failure, which you will then go on to explore [at least two pages].
In the ending section [at least half a page], remind us of your thesis without merely repeating it. Leave us with a final intriguing or provocative thought.
Write in a way that is understandable for readers who know nothing about Springsteen, Born to Run, Jessica Bennett’s article, the certificate of failure, or the growing attention to failure on many college campuses and in society as a whole. In other words, provide targeted summary so that all potential readers can follow what you are saying. At the same time, you don’t want to bore readers (including me) who already know this material. Be careful, then, not to summarize too much.
On the final page of the paper (separate from the final page of writing that you do), include a Works Cited page. We’ll go over the format in class.
Use 12-point typeface. Insert page numbers at either the top right, bottom right, or bottom center. For your heading on page one, do the following:
Your name
Prof. Amarnick
ENG 24
April 13, 2019 (put in the new date instead when you submit the revision)
Title of Essay
Begin the essay…
oe123
Essay2failureandsuccess.docx
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