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Definition Of A Hero and Heroic Qualities
Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Rosa Parks are all examples of people who did great things. With this said, when you see these names, you think of them as heroes. On the other hand, aren’t we forgetting the men and women who are just as noble and compassionate, such as single mothers, fathers, patient teachers, and kids who live to make others happy? An anonymous writer states that, “ There is a hero inside all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape.” This is a very powerful quote because it doesn’t talk about well known, famous, heroic people. It shows that anyone can be hero, you just have to take risks. A quality definition of a hero is simple. A hero does extraordinary things in their everyday life; they do not strive for recognition, they do not want money, and they do not look for chances to be a “Hero”. And they attempt to be kind and sympathetic; but do not exclude others. In the real world, they are almost everyone around us. Regular people doing phenomenal things.
In the real world, all heroes have almost the same characteristics. They are kind, brave, selfless, and always willing to help. Yes, famous heroes share these traits, but we forget the people who are less open to tell about their good deeds. With this said, we do not realize the other heroes that are shaping our world for the better. Take Harriet Tubman for example, she did amazing things. She risked her life everyday, and saved people’s lives although the stakes were high. Only a small percentage of people knew what she did. But she did not seek fame, and accolade for saving others. No, she was humble and brave, and because of that, she is now recognized, she is a true hero. In other words, a hero does not save and help others just to do it. A hero usually helps people because they feel the need to do so. Whether it is saving someone from slavery because you were once a slave (Frederick Douglass) , or building awareness or a sense of community towards others, heroes are always assisting because they feel concerned, that is what makes them a true hero.
What kind of people are heroes to you? Are they buff men in armour, capes, or suits? If so, they are probably very unrealistic. Because of America’s history, television shows, and books, all advertise only heroes that are men. Kids, teens, and adults all get affected by this naive idea. For example, every superhero comic that is starring mostly, (or only) male characters are much more popular. Furthermore, kids and teens that are growing have a hard time truly defining what a hero is. Most kids in America will say a fire(man), a police(man), or a soldier, in which they probably also think of as men. Instead, heroes are small, young girls that speak up about subjects such as bullying, or organizations helping kids be happy and healthy all throughout their life. Or raising awareness of diseases and the way to help. For these reasons, hopefully you now understand that courage knows no boundaries, age, gender, or nationality.

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Essays About Heroes: 5 Examples And Topic Ideas
Here, we’ll look at examples of essays about heroes and questions that can be used as topics for essays about an imagined or real hero.
A few different images likely come to mind when you hear the word hero. You may imagine Superman flying above the world with his superpower of flight. You may imagine a personal hero, a real person who has made a significant impact on your life for the better. You might think of a true hero as someone who has shown heroic qualities in the public eye, working to help ordinary people through difficult situations.
When writing an essay about your life hero, it’s important to consider the qualities of that person that make them stand out to you. Whether you choose to write an essay about how your mom got you through tough times and became your role model or about a political figure who made a difference in the lives of people in history, it’s key to not just focus on the person’s actions—you’ll also want to focus on the qualities that allowed them to act heroically.
Here, we’ll explore examples of hero essays and potential topics to consider when writing about a hero.
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Examples Of Essays About Heroes
- 1. These Are The Heroes Of The Coronavirus Pandemic By Ruth Marcus
- 2. Why Teachers Are My Heroes By Joshua Muskin
- 3. Martin Luther King Jr.—Civil Rights Activist & Hero By Kathy Weiser-Alexander
4. Steve Prefontaine: The Track Of A Hero By Bill O’Brian
5. forget hamilton, burr is the real hero by carey wallace, topic ideas for essays about heroes, 1. what makes a hero, 2. what are the most important characteristics of heroes in literature, 3. what constitutes a heroic act, 4. is selflessness required for heroism, 1. these are the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic by ruth marcus.

“Is this what they signed up for? There is some danger inherent in the ordinary practice of medicine, but not this much. I confess: I do not know that I would do the same in their circumstances; I am not sure I am so generous or so brave. If my child were graduating from medical school, how would I deal with her being sent, inadequately protected, into an emergency room? If my husband were a physician, would I send him off to the hospital — or let him back into the house in the interim?” Ruth Marcus
Healthcare workers have had no choice but to go above and beyond in recent years. In this essay, Marcus discusses the heroism of those in the healthcare field. He delves into the traits (including selflessness and courage) that make doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers heroes.

2. Why Teachers Are My Heroes By Joshua Muskin
“Teachers are my heroes because they accept this responsibility and try extremely hard to do this well even when the conditions in which they work are far from ideal; at least most do. Our jobs as society, education systems, and parents is to do our best to be strong allies to teachers, since their success is essential to ours.” Joshua Muskin
In this essay, Dr. Muskin discusses the many challenges teachers face and what parents, administrators, and education researchers can do to help teachers support students. Muskin explains that most teachers go above and beyond the call of duty to serve their classrooms.
3. Martin Luther King Jr.—Civil Rights Activist & Hero By Kathy Weiser-Alexander
“During this nonviolent protest, activists used boycotts, sit-ins, and marches to protest segregation and unfair hiring practices that caught the attention of the entire world. However, his tactics were put to the test when police brutality was used against the marchers, and King was arrested. But, his voice was not silenced, as he wrote his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” to refute his critics.” Kathy Weiser-Alexander
In this essay, Weiser-Alexander details both the traits and the actions of Dr. King before and during the civil rights movement. The author touches on King’s commitment to justice, persistence, and willingness to stand for his beliefs despite difficult circumstances.
“I remember this so vividly because Prefontaine was a hero to me, a hero in a way that no one was before, or really has been since. A British commentator once called him “an athletic Beatle.” If so, his persona was much more Lennon than McCartney. Actually, I thought of him more as Mick Jagger — or ultimately James Dean.” Bill O’Brian
A hero to many in the running world, Prefontaine’s confidence, unique style, and unmatched athletic ability have been heralded for decades. In this essay, O’Brian shares how he, as a distance runner during the era of Pre, related to his struggles and ambition.
“Burr fought against an ugly tide of anti-immigrant sentiment in the young republic, led by Hamilton’s Federalist party, which suggested that anyone without English heritage was a second-class citizen, and even challenged the rights of non-Anglos to hold office. In response, Burr insisted that anyone who contributed to society deserved all the rights of any other citizen, no matter their background.” Carey Wallace
In this essay, Wallace explains why Aaron Burr, the lifelong nemesis of founding father Alexander Hamilton, should be considered a historical hero. This essay exposes someone seen as a villain but much of society with a different take on their history.
It can be interesting to think about your definition of a hero. When describing what the term hero means to you, you may want to choose a person (or a few people) you look up to as a hero to solidify your point. You might want to include fictional characters (such as those in the Marvel universe) and real-life brave souls, such as police officers and firefighters.
A word of caution: stay away from the cliche opening of describing how the dictionary defines a hero. Instead, lead-in with a personal story about a hero who has affected your life. While talking about a public figure as a hero is acceptable, you may find it easier to write about someone close to you who you feel has displayed heroic qualities. Writing about a family member or friend who has shown up as a heroic main character in your life can be just as exciting as writing about a real or imagined superhero.
From Beowulf to Marvel comics, heroes in literature take on many different traits. When writing an essay on what trait makes a hero come alive in a short story, novel, or comic, choose a few of your favorite heroes and find common themes that they share.
Perhaps your favorite heroes are selfless and are willing to put themselves last in the name of sacrifice for others. Perhaps they’re able to dig deep into the truth, being honest even when it’s hard, for the greater good. There’s no need to list endless heroes to make your point—choosing three or four heroes from literature can be a great way to support your argument about what characteristics define heroism in literature.
When someone is named a hero in real life, we often picture them saving people from a burning building or performing a difficult surgical operation. It can be difficult to pin down exactly what constitutes a heroic act. When writing about what constitutes a heroic act, think about people who go above and beyond, performing feats of courage, honesty, and bravery to support themselves or others. When writing about what constitutes a heroic act, discuss real-life or literary examples of heroes at work.
To many people, being a hero means giving back to others. While giving something away or trading in one’s well-being for others can certainly be seen as a heroic act, many people wonder if selflessness is required for heroism or if a hero can serve the greater good in a way that also supports their happiness. When writing about whether selflessness is required for heroism, choose examples from literature and real-life to support your point.
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Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.
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Hero Essay Sample
What does it mean to be a hero.
We often talk about fictional characters with supernatural powers as heroes. Soldiers, firefighters, volunteers are also often called the heroes. But what really is a hero? Does heroism always require the physical strength, or are there other important qualities that define a hero? According to a Meriam-Webster Dictionary, a hero is a person who is greatly admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities. (1) Does that mean that people with outstanding personal qualities who can motivate us and change the world can be considered the heroes? Probably, yes.
A hero can be anyone we look up to. Heroes can be real or fictional, they can be someone we see every day or have met once in our life, they can be male or female, children or grown-ups. When we were young, our heroes were Robin Hood, Batman, Spiderman. Then our moms, dads, grandparents, sisters and brothers and even our pets became our heroes. We become older, more experienced, and our perceptions about heroes change. We start to think that we are surrounded by heroes, in fact. Single mothers who deny themselves food and clothes to send their children to college, couples who adopt children, a person who donates his kidney to save the brother, children who put their careers on hold to take care of their sick parents, people who sacrifice their dreams to support the loved ones, cancer patients who continue to fight for their life – these are the examples of heroes around us. (2)

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Heroes motivate us. They can do plenty of different things that inspire and stimulate others to do their best. The heroes make us find and develop our best qualities and share our experience with other people who need it. The motivation is very important for finding strengths within yourself and disclosing the prominent qualities. When we see the Red Cross volunteers, the dangers these men and women face, their extreme courage, we respect them and also want to help others. We decide to join different organizations and become the active volunteers, whether at preserving the wildlife, protecting homeless pets, or fighting with corruption. Heroes motivate us to realize our assets and make our small contribution into the good deeds. Heroes don’t only save us, they help us to save ourselves.
Heroes change the world. They love the feeling to help other people and try not to miss the opportunity to be useful and sympathetic. Heroes make sacrifices for others, no matter small or enormous ones. Very often they are not prepared for what they would experience, but always make the right and decent decisions, even in the most difficult and confusing situations. That is the main reason why they receive the respect, recognition and support for their future great deals. You also can be a hero for someone. It’s not difficult – help someone in need, defend the moral principles, be reliable and sympathetic, join the useful activities, do your best to realize your passions and follow your heart. Maybe one day someone will call you his hero.
There are more heroes around us than we think. To find them, look at your parents, neighbours and friends. You’ll find that they are great people who make sacrifices for others, use their courage to deal with the harsh realities of the modern life, don’t lose their humanity when facing challenges and always ready to help if you need. Sometimes we don’t even know about the great deeds of all those people, as heroes don’t like to share their stories. Look around and you’ll probably find your hero.
References: 1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hero 2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201009/what-makes-hero
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Every essay–and, thus, every essay outline–should have at least three things: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Hero essays are no different. Introduction Your hero essay introduction should include three main components: A hook: The hook is the first sentence or two of your introduction and is what grabs your reader’s attention.
How to Write Conclusion For a Hero Essay? Short Example of a College Essay About My Hero Importance of Hero Essays Heroes or heroic figures have a great impact on the minds of young souls. Children who view cartoons and watch heroic actions of their favourite characters like to adopt their traits.
A hero does extraordinary things in their everyday life; they do not strive for recognition, they do not want money, and they do not look for chances to be a “Hero”. And they attempt to be kind and sympathetic; but do not exclude others. In the real world, they are almost everyone around us. Regular people doing phenomenal things.
1. These Are The Heroes Of The Coronavirus Pandemic By Ruth Marcus Lance Cheung, U.S. Department of Agriculture, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons “Is this what they signed up for? There is some danger inherent in the ordinary practice of medicine, but not this much.
Probably, yes. A hero can be anyone we look up to. Heroes can be real or fictional, they can be someone we see every day or have met once in our life, they can be male or female, children or grown-ups. When we were young, our heroes were Robin Hood, Batman, Spiderman.