Composition

Title

Though commencement addresses do not generally have official titles, Abby Wambach’s commencement address to Barnard College 2018 graduates has become known under the title “Make Failure Your Fuel”, because various media outlets gave it this unofficial title when reporting on the address.

This unofficial title refers to the first out of four rules that Wambach presents as necessary to achieve success in life (l. 140). As such, the title reflects the main theme of the speech - success, which is a suitable topic for an audience of young graduates about to enter their professional lives.

Beginning

Commencement addresses typically begin with greetings, thanks, and congratulations to the graduating class. This one is no exception and Wambach respects this structure by greeting professors and graduates. However, her beginning stands out because of the somewhat unexpected informal language: “And to each of the 619 badass women of the Barnard graduating class of 2018: Congratulations, you guys, congratulations!” (ll. 4-7). 

The speaker continues with a rhetorical question which is meant to make the audience curious: “Doesn’t it feel like the second you figure...