<p>If anyone would like to grade, or at least read through this essay I wrote for practice, I would greatly appreciate it! It's actually essay #10 in the SAT Blue book. I'll refrain from my thoughts until someone else reads it. Be critical pleeease! :-)</p>
<p>Prompt: Traditionally the term "heroism" has been applied to those who have braved physical danger to defend a cause or protect others. Byt one of the most feared dangers people face is that of disapproval by their family, peers, or community. Sometimes acting courageously requires someone to speak out at the risk of such rejection. We should consider those who do so true heroes.</p>
<p>Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it? Plan and write an essay blah blah blah, etc.</p>
<p>A hero can be anyone- someone who fights crime, one who stands up for another, and maybe even one who silently defends. In my opinion, and Im sure many would agree, a hero is one who defends, protects, and stands up for what he/she believes in. Whether they have braved physical danger or not, heroes come in all different types, include those who protect with words over actions. Therefore, a hero should also be defined as one who says what he/she thinks when others lack the courage.</p>
<p>One of the finest examples of this is the ever famous black woman Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus in the times of racial segregation. Parks did what many other blacks were unable to do and stood up for her beliefs , that a black woman is no different than a white woman. She was spurned by the entire community of whites, yet she stuck to her beliefs and brought about change. To this day, she is hailed as a hero, even though she did not brave physical danger. Parks stood up for her beliefs when others lacked the courage to do so and is definitely a true American hero.</p>
<p>Another example of a hero comes from a renowned piece of American literature, To Kill a Mockingbird . In this story, a lawyer by the name of Atticus Finch is to defend a black man who allegedly assaulted a white woman. Throughout the story, the reader can see that the prosecution is based off of the racist towns inability to choose a black mans word over a white womans. Atticus Finch stands up against the segregation and defends the black man wholeheartedly, regardless of the towns complete and utter disapproval. He is known as one of literatures greatest heroes for that very reason- even though he did not go through any physical danger experiences. This man had the courage to say what he believed in, even through others scorning, and that is what makes him a hero.</p>
<p>Lastly, a hero can be a simple as one who stands up to a bully or threatening force. Personally, I have witnessed a scene where someone confronted a student who was threatening another. The bully was frightened enough to leave, and in the victims eyes, the student who approached was a hero. Most everyone else had lacked the courage to stand up to the bully, and although the approacher feared rejection, he was able to squelch those fears and summon his courage. Even such an act as simple as that makes one a hero, without braving physical danger.</p>
<p>In conclusion, it is not always braving physical danger that makes one a hero. A hero has a broad definition- and one who has the courage to say what they think when others cannot definitely fits the description of a bold and courageous hero.</p>
<p>Thanks soooo much guys! I'm taking the SAT in January 2013 :-) For the first time as a junior, but I'll probably take it again in May and maybe even June.</p>
I guess I’m too much of my own critic. I think my tough spots are definitely in the CR section then. I honestly can’t get past 690. Any tips?</p>