Summary
Keppeler Oscar
Writing ll English 2150
Professor Wilson
Hindrance from A Fear of Failure:
As a search was generated on articles based on the topic of fear of failure, I came across two different approaches that addressed similar points of view while also structuring their arguments in separate manners. Rhetorical appeals such as Ethos and Pathos were used by the authors as persuasive strategies to convey their arguments. One article discusses the fear of failure as a problem to overcome and breaks down the causes and effects it is affiliated with
( Logos ), while the other approaches it as a lesson to be learned from allowing oneself to fail and even gives a story connected to his experience with fearing failure ( Ethos ). Ultimately both articles do share common ground regarding the importance of failure in human growth and development. While the article “Overcoming Fear of Failure” argues that although this fear hinders individuals' ability to take risks and grow there are strategies to manage and break through the barrier, the article "Go Ahead and Fail" highlights the role of failure in leading to success and being a stepping stone to learn and grow from failure.
Both authors’Mind Tools Content Team and Brooks utilize rhetorical appeals to enhance the quality of their arguments to make them truly persuasive. Those convincing arguments are what allow writers to appeal to the readers in several ways such as connecting or relating to the stories. We dive into what lies beyond failing as well as the strings behind what causes that same fear. The main point made with both articles informs readers that fear leads to setbacks only if you let it because on the other side of fear is success if you build and grow from it. Brooks inside the article ‘Go Ahead and Fail’ utilizes a credibility and trustworthiness approach to form a connection that relates to the audience ( Ethos ). He gave his own personal experience of letting fear misguide him by stating with every performance he did as a French Hornist he thought of how his downfall could be determined by a few mistakes during a solo. He lived in dread, and it made his life and work miserable because he even obsessed with thoughts of mistakes even when he wasn’t performing. I was able to relate to his style of writing because his experience was real and I felt that. On the other hand, the MTCT article on overcoming fear takes a logical and reasoning approach that relies on the use of facts, and evidence to support his argument which appeals to Logos. He approaches his argument by defining what failure is, the ways one experiences failure, How to stop living in fear and an overview of the causes. Both rhetorical appeals speak to the style of the authors and the techniques they use to portray their arguments.
In "Overcoming Fear of Failure," the Mind Tools Content Team highlights the negative impact of fear of failure on one's personal and professional life. The article talks more about steps to overcome this fear, such as reframing negative thoughts, setting realistic goals, and seeking feedback from others. The article stresses the difference between fearing failure and allowing that fear to hinder your growth, by stating that many of us are afraid of failing, at least at some point in time. He also explains that fear of failure (also called "atychiphobia") is when we allow that fear to stop us from doing the things that can move us forward to achieve our goals and that it is important to take action despite the fear to achieve success. The article's decision to provide steps that overcome the fear of failure reflects a belief that fear of failure is a common issue that can be conquered with effort and persistence.
On the other hand, the article "Go Ahead and Fail" takes a different approach to the issue of fear of failure. The article argues that failure is an important experience for personal growth and that the fear of failure can actually hold people back from pursuing their dreams. The author even shares his personal experience of fearing failure and put himself in a position where he can relate to readers. He describes how miserable it made his life constantly thinking about the humiliation he would receive if he were to make a mistake while playing the French horn in front of others. Along with his own experiences, the author uses examples from research to illustrate his point, stating that researchers have found that public speaking is college students’ most common fear; some scholars have even said that people fear it even more than death. The article's decision to present failure as a necessary and positive experience reflects a belief that fear of failure is only a setback that prevents people from taking risks and growing.
Another significant difference between the two articles is the focus placed on the individual versus the external environment. In "Overcoming Fear of Failure," the Mind Tools Content Team focuses on practical steps that individuals can take to overcome their fear of failure, such as setting goals and seeking feedback. In contrast, Brooks in' "Go Ahead and Fail" emphasizes the external environment and the need for society to embrace failure as a necessary step towards innovation and progress. The article suggests that fear of failure is a cultural issue that needs to be addressed, rather than an individual one. Another decision made in both articles is to highlight the importance of learning from failure. By emphasizing the importance of learning from failure, both articles encourage readers to approach failure with a growth mindset.
In conclusion, "Overcoming Fear of Failure" and "Go Ahead and Fail" takes different approaches to the topic of failure, with one emphasizing strategies to overcome fear and the other advocating for embracing failure as a necessary aspect of success. Despite their differences, both articles share a common message that failure is a necessary part of growth and learning. While the strategies presented in "Overcoming Fear of Failure" may be helpful for individuals who struggle with the fear of failure, "Go Ahead and Fail" offers a different perspective that may be useful for those who are hesitant to take risks. Overall, both articles connect with readers by helping them understand what it means to fail and then the aspects of fearing failure that may follow.
WORKS CITED:
Mind Tools Content Team. "Overcoming Fear of Failure." Mind Tools, 2020, https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/fear-of-failure.htm.
Brooks, Arthur C. "Go Ahead and Fail." The Atlantic, 2019, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/07/go-ahead-and-fail/590629/.