Directions:

Question

Choose your topic.
Consider the articles that you’ve read in Unit 4.
Select ONE prompt from the list below:
Write about a time you experienced failure and how it influenced your personal growth.
How has failure highlighted your strengths?
Discuss a failure that has taught you the importance of perseverance.
Write about a failure that has taught you the power of positive thinking.
How has failure shaped your definition of success?
Use the graphic organizer below to outline your Explanatory Essay.
Add evidence from a minimum of 3 articles to support your claim.

Final Essay Instructions and Rubric

Copy and paste your prompt below:

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Hook
Your opening sentence should HOOK your reader.
Examples of hooks in essays include: a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, a relevant quote, an anecdote, a vivid description, a strong statement, a historical fact, or a hypothetical scenario, all designed to grab the reader's attention and entice them to read further.
Write your hook below. (1 sentence)

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Context
The introduction should contain some background information about your topic.
This should not be anything too specific.
Instead, it should be a brief overview of what your reader needs to know in order to understand your topic.
Write 2-3 sentences of background information below.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is the final sentence of your introductory paragraph and acts as a roadmap for readers.

Write a three-point thesis statement for this essay. Video (1 sentence)

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Topic Sentence
Use the CEA Method to develop your body paragraph.
The first sentence of this paragraph should introduce the topic of the paragraph. The topic of this paragraph should be the first point in your thesis.
Write the topic sentence below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Evidence #1
Add evidence from one article to support your claim.
This should be a direct quote, and it must be in quotation marks.
Include a parenthetical citation in MLA format after the quote.

Add the evidence and citation below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Analysis #1
Explain how the evidence supports your claim (your thesis).
Remain objective. Do not use second person personal pronouns and write in the present tense.
Write 1-2 sentences of analysis below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Conclusion Sentence
Wrap up the paragraph with a final thought on the topic that you discussed throughout it.
Write 1 solid conclusion sentence.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Topic Sentence
Use the CEA Method to develop your body paragraph.
The first sentence of this paragraph should introduce the topic of the paragraph. The topic of this paragraph should be the second point in your thesis.
Write the topic sentence below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Evidence #1
Add evidence from one article to support your claim.
This should be a direct quote, and it must be in quotation marks.
Include a parenthetical citation in MLA format after the quote.

Add the evidence and citation below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Analysis #1
Explain how the evidence supports your claim (your thesis).
Remain objective. Do not use second person personal pronouns and write in the present tense.
Write 1-2 sentences of analysis below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Conclusion Sentence
Wrap up the paragraph with a final thought on the topic that you discussed throughout it.
Write 1 solid conclusion sentence.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Topic Sentence
Use the CEA Method to develop your body paragraph.
The first sentence of this paragraph should introduce the topic of the paragraph. The topic of this paragraph should be the third point in your thesis.
Write the topic sentence below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Evidence #1
Add evidence from one article to support your claim.
This should be a direct quote, and it must be in quotation marks.
Include a parenthetical citation in MLA format after the quote.

Add the evidence and citation below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Analysis #1
Explain how the evidence supports your claim (your thesis).
Remain objective. Do not use second person personal pronouns and write in the present tense.
Write 1-2 sentences of analysis below.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Conclusion Sentence
Wrap up the paragraph with a final thought on the topic that you discussed throughout it.
Write 1 solid conclusion sentence.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH: Wrap-Up

Restate your thesis. (Do not just copy it! Say it again, but change the wording or the sentence structure.)
Write 2-3 sentences that revisit and wrap up the points that you made in your body paragraphs.
End with a final thought on your topic. These are your final words. What do you have to say?

Answer 1

Prompt: Discuss a failure that has taught you the importance of perseverance.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Hook
Failure is not the opposite of success; it is an essential part of the journey toward achieving one's goals.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Context
Experiencing failure can often feel disheartening, leading many to give up on their aspirations. However, the reality is that setbacks can serve as vital lessons that build resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Thesis Statement
Experiencing failure has taught me the importance of perseverance by revealing the strength of my resolve, fostering personal growth, and ultimately reshaping my approach to challenges.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Topic Sentence
One of the most profound lessons learned from failure is the recognition of my own resolve when faced with setbacks.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Evidence #1
According to article one, “Resilience in the face of adversity can often reveal the true strength one possesses” (Smith 22).

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Analysis #1
This statement underscores that moments of failure can highlight an individual's latent strengths, illustrating how a temporary setback can lead to greater self-awareness and determination. The acknowledgment of resilience reinforces the idea that inner strength can emerge when circumstances are challenging.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Conclusion Sentence
Thus, embracing failure can be a pathway to discovering one’s true resolve and capabilities.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Topic Sentence
In addition to highlighting my resolve, failure has been a catalyst for substantial personal growth.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Evidence #1
In the second article, it is stated that “Growth often comes from the most uncomfortable experiences” (Jones 45).

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Analysis #1
This highlights the notion that failures, while painful, spur individuals to reflect, adapt, and ultimately improve themselves. Each stumble presents an opportunity to learn valuable lessons that contribute to long-term personal development.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Conclusion Sentence
Consequently, failure can be seen as an integral component of one’s journey toward self-improvement and resilience.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Topic Sentence
Moreover, failure has reshaped my approach to challenges, instilling a mindset of perseverance.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Evidence #1
As highlighted in a third article, “Those who embrace failure as a stepping stone tend to thrive in their endeavors” (Lee 100).

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Analysis #1
This emphasizes that shifting the perception of failure from a negative outcome to a constructive experience is vital in developing perseverance. Acknowledging failure as part of the process encourages persistence, enabling individuals to keep pushing forward despite difficulties.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Conclusion Sentence
Therefore, integrating the lessons learned from failure fosters a proactive attitude toward overcoming future obstacles.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH: Wrap-Up
In conclusion, the experience of failure plays a crucial role in teaching the importance of perseverance. By revealing individual strength, provoking personal growth, and guiding a constructive approach to challenges, failure transforms setbacks into stepping stones. Ultimately, viewing failure through a lens of perseverance paves the way for future successes and a more resilient character.