<p>I thought the inclusion of the word "chance" would attract some of you... apparently it did.</p>
<p>I just did the essay on Blue Book Practice Test 8. It's the first one I've really done off a Practice SAT, so I'd like to see where I am at as a baseline essay score. I'm shooting for a 12 on my actual essay (October SAT), so critical review is appreciated. Don't feel bad if you have to tell me my essay stinks, I'd really like to hear possible scores and what you have to say:</p>
<p>"Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it?"</p>
<p>When most people think of heroes, they evoke images of Superman, Spiderman, Batman, or other fictional superheroes. Or perhaps they conjure up memories of police officers, firemen, or others who serve the public. But one of the most crucial classes of heroes includes those who are outspoken in their beliefs, even if that outspokenness brings them social disapproval or ostracism. Many extremely important heroes in history, such as Martin Luther or Martin Luther King, Jr., have audaciously breached societal standards and stood up for their sound beliefs at times when few others were bold enough to do so.</p>
<p>Martin Luther was a sixteenth-century monk who lived in Germany. Luther was a pious and devout Christian, but he saw many flaws in the Roman Catholic Church. Family members of the clergy would use their influence to secure jobs in the Church. Clergy-members would even sell Church positions to the highest bidders. This corruption led to an adulterated enforcement of Catholicism: God's teachings were handed out to the public alongside the clergy's agenda. The corrupt Catholic Church was gaining power by the day, and Luther decided to act. Risking his own death for heresy, Luther nailed his grievances with the Church on a cathedral's front door. The event sparked the Protestant Revolution, in which countries such as Germany and England split from the Catholic Church. Judging by the breadth of the movement, it is obvious that many shared Luther's beliefs. However, Luther was the only one courageous enough to state his beliefs, despite the amount of backlash and castigation he faced. This risk for the benefit of mankind truly makes Luther a hero.</p>
<p>Martin Luther King, Jr., was another social reformer much like Lither, but worked in a very different time. In the mid-20th century, racism and discrimination against African Americans ran rampant in the USA. King, a soft-spoken Christian minister, decided to fight for Black equality, although he faced potential jail-time, lynching, or death. In addition, King's actions put him at odds with many Caucasians, only furthering the sacrifice he had to make. Through events such as the March on Washington, King was able to peacefully yet boldly state the faults he saw in America even though few else found the courage to do so. Without the risks that Martin Luther King took, America would not enjoy such equality as it does now. For this reason, King is a hero.</p>
<p>In summary, heroism should inherently encompass those who say what they think even when others are not bold enough to do so. If they stayed quiet, the world could be radically worse.</p>