life heroes essay

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.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers

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.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

If you’re still stuck, check out our available resource of essay writing topics .

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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What makes a hero, we all have an inner hero, argues philip zimbardo . here's how to find it..

This month, Greater Good features videos of a presentation by Philip Zimbardo, the world-renowned psychologist perhaps best known for his infamous Stanford Prison Experiment. In his talk, Zimbardo discusses the psychology of evil and of heroism, exploring why good people sometimes turn bad and how we can encourage more people to perform heroic acts. In this excerpt from his talk, he zeroes in on his research and educational program designed to foster the “heroic imagination.”

More on Heroism

Watch the video of Philip Zimbardo's Greater Good talk on heroism.

Read his essay on " The Banality of Heroism ," which further explores the conditions that can promote heroism vs. evil.

Read this Greater Good essay on the "psychology of the bystander."

Learn more about Zimbardo's Heroic Imagination Project.

What makes us good? What makes us evil?

Research has uncovered many answers to the second question: Evil can be fostered by dehumanization, diffusion of responsibility, obedience to authority, unjust systems, group pressure, moral disengagement, and anonymity, to name a few.

But when we ask why people become heroic, research doesn’t yet have an answer. It could be that heroes have more compassion or empathy; maybe there’s a hero gene; maybe it’s because of their levels of oxytocin—research by neuroeconomist Paul Zak has shown that this “love hormone” in the brain increases the likelihood you’ll demonstrate altruism. We don’t know for sure.

I believe that heroism is different than altruism and compassion. For the last five years, my colleagues and I have been exploring the nature and roots of heroism, studying exemplary cases of heroism and surveying thousands of people about their choices to act (or not act) heroically. In that time, we’ve come to define heroism as an activity with several parts.

First, it’s performed in service to others in need—whether that’s a person, group, or community—or in defense of certain ideals. Second, it’s engaged in voluntarily, even in military contexts, as heroism remains an act that goes beyond something required by military duty. Third, a heroic act is one performed with recognition of possible risks and costs, be they to one’s physical health or personal reputation, in which the actor is willing to accept anticipated sacrifice. Finally, it is performed without external gain anticipated at the time of the act.

Simply put, then, the key to heroism is a concern for other people in need—a concern to defend a moral cause, knowing there is a personal risk, done without expectation of reward.

By that definition, then, altruism is heroism light—it doesn’t always involve a serious risk. Compassion is a virtue that may lead to heroism, but we don’t know that it does. We’re just now starting to scientifically distinguish heroism from these other concepts and zero in on what makes a hero.

My work on heroism follows 35 years of research in which I studied the psychology of evil, including my work on the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment . The two lines of research aren’t as different as they might seem; they’re actually two sides of the same coin.

A key insight from research on heroism so far is that the very same situations that inflame the hostile imagination in some people, making them villains, can also instill the heroic imagination in other people, prompting them to perform heroic deeds.

Take the Holocaust. Christians who helped Jews were in the same situation as other civilians who helped imprison or kill Jews, or ignored their suffering. The situation provided the impetus to act heroically or malevolently. Why did some people choose one path or the other?

Another key insight from my research has been that there’s no clear line between good and evil. Instead, the line is permeable; people can cross back and forth between it.

This is an idea wonderfully represented in an illusion by M. C. Escher, at left. When you squint and focus on the white as the figures and the black as the background, you see a world full of angels and tutus dancing around happily. But now focus on the black as the figures and the white as the background: Now it’s a world full of demons.

What Escher’s telling us is that the world is filled with angels and devils, goodness and badness, and these dark and light aspects of human nature are our basic yin and yang. That is, we all are born with the capacity to be anything. Because of our incredible brains, anything that is imaginable becomes possible, anything that becomes possible can get transformed into action, for better or for worse. 

Some people argue humans are born good or born bad; I think that’s nonsense. We are all born with this tremendous capacity to be anything, and we get shaped by our circumstances—by the family or the culture or the time period in which we happen to grow up, which are accidents of birth; whether we grow up in a war zone versus peace; if we grow up in poverty rather than prosperity.

George Bernard Shaw captured this point in the preface to his great play “Major Barbara”: “Every reasonable man and woman is a potential scoundrel and a potential good citizen. What a man is depends upon his character what’s inside. What he does and what we think of what he does depends on upon his circumstances.”

So each of us may possess the capacity to do terrible things. But we also posses an inner hero; if stirred to action, that inner hero is capable of performing tremendous goodness for others.

Another conclusion from my research is that few people do evil and fewer act heroically. Between these extremes in the bell curve of humanity are the masses—the general population who do nothing, who I call the “reluctant heroes”—those who refuse the call to action and, by doing nothing, often implicitly support the perpetrators of evil.

So on this bell curve of humanity, villains and heroes are the outliers. The reluctant heroes are the rest. What we need to discover is how to give a call to service to this general population. How do we make them aware of the evil that exists? How do we prevent them from getting seduced to the dark side?

We don’t yet have a recipe for creating heroes, but we have some clues, based on the stories of some inspiring heroes.

I love the story of a wonderful nine-year-old Chinese boy, who I call a dutiful hero. In 2008, there was a massive earthquake in China’s Szechuan province. The ceiling fell down on a school, killing almost all the kids in it. This kid escaped, and as he was running away he noticed two other kids struggling to get out. He ran back and saved them. He was later asked, “Why did you do that?” He replied, “I was the hall monitor! It was my duty, it was my job to look after my classmates!”

This perfectly illustrates what I call the “heroic imagination,” a focus on one’s duty to help and protect others. For him, it was cultivated by being assigned this role of hall monitor.

Another story: Irena Sendler was a Polish hero, a Catholic woman who saved at least 2,500 Jewish kids who were holed up in the Warsaw ghetto that the Nazis had erected. She was able to convince the parents of these kids to allow her to smuggle them out of the ghetto to safety. To do this, she organized a network.

That is a key principle of heroism: Heroes are most effective not alone but in a network. It’s through forming a network that people have the resources to bring their heroic impulses to life.

What these stories suggest is that every one of us can be a hero. Through my work on heroism, I’ve become even more convinced that acts of heroism don’t just arrive from truly exceptional people but from people placed in the right circumstance, given the necessary tools to transform compassion into heroic action.

Building on these insights, I have helped to start a program designed to learn more of heroism and to create the heroes of tomorrow.

The Heroic Imagination Project (HIP) is amplifying the voice of the world’s quiet heroes, using research and education networks to promote a heroic imagination in everyone, and then empower ordinary people of all ages and nations to engage in extraordinary acts of heroism. We want to democratize the notion of heroism, to emphasize that most heroes are ordinary people; it’s the act that’s extraordinary.

There are already a lot of great heroes projects out there, such as the Giraffe Heroes Project . The HIP is unique in that it’s the only one encouraging research into heroism, because there’s very little.

Here are a few key insights from research we’ve done surveying 4,000 Americans from across the country. Each of these statements is valid after controlling for all demographic variables, such as education and socioeconomic status.

Heroes surround us. One in five—20 percent—qualify as heroes, based on the definition of heroism I provide above. Seventy-two percent report helping another person in a dangerous emergency. Sixteen percent report whistle blowing on an injustice. Six percent report sacrificing for a non-relative or stranger. Fifteen percent report defying an unjust authority. And not one of these people has been formally recognized as a hero.

Opportunity matters. Most acts of heroism occur in urban areas, where there are more people and more people in need. You’re not going to be a hero if you live in the suburbs. No shit happens in the suburbs!

Education matters. The more educated you are, the more likely you are to be a hero, I think because you are more aware of situations.

Volunteering matters. One third of all the sample who were heroes also had volunteered significantly, up to 59 hours a week.

Gender matters. Males reported performing acts of heroism more than females. I think this is because women tend not to regard a lot of their heroic actions as heroic. It’s just what they think they’re supposed to do for their family or a friend.

Race matters. Blacks were eight times more likely than whites to qualify as heroes. We think that’s in part due to the rate of opportunity. (In our next survey, we’re going to track responses by area code to see if in fact these heroes are coming from inner cities.

Personal history matters. Having survived a disaster or personal trauma makes you three times more likely to be a hero and a volunteer.

Based on these insights into heroism, we’ve put together a toolkit for potential heroes, especially young heroes in training, who already have opportunities to act heroically when they’re kids, such as by opposing bullying.

A first step is to take the “hero pledge,” a public declaration on our website that says you’re willing to be a hero in waiting. It’s a pledge “to act when confronted with a situation where I feel something is wrong,” “to develop my heroic abilities,” and “to believe in the heroic capacities within myself and others, so I can build and refine them.”

You can also take our four-week “Hero Challenge” mini-course online to help you develop your heroic muscles. The challenge may not require you to do anything heroic, but it’s training you to be heroic. And we offer more rigorous, research-based education and training programs for middle and high schools, corporations, and the millitary that make people aware of the social factors that produce passivity, inspire them to take positive civic action, and encourage the skills needed to consistently translate heroic impulses into action.

We’re also in the process of creating an Encyclopedia of Heroes, a collection of hero stories from all over the world. Not just all the classic ones and fictional ones, but ones that people from around the world are going to send in, so they can nominate ordinary heroes with a picture and a story. It will be searchable, so you can find heroes by age, gender, city and country. These are the unsung, quiet heroes—they do their own thing, put themselves in danger, defend a moral cause, help someone in need. And we want to highlight them. We want them to be inspirational to other people just like them.

Essentially, we’re trying to build the social habits of heroes, to build a focus on the other, shifting away from the “me” and toward the “we.” As the poet John Donne wrote: “No man [or woman] is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; … any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

So every person is part of humanity. Each person’s pulse is part of humanity’s heartbeat. Heroes circulate the life force of goodness in our veins. And what the world needs now is more heroes—you. It’s time to take action against evil.

About the Author

Philip Zimbardo

Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D. , is a professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University, a professor at Palo Alto University, a two-time past president of the Western Psychological Association, and a past president of the American Psychological Association. He is also the author of the best-selling book The Lucifer Effect and the president of the Heroic Imagination Project .

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Very nice information. In this world this is the very difficult question that what makes people good or evil. This post has helped a lot to understand the difference. Actually in my point of it depends upon the individual that what he/she thinks. If he/she thinks negative all the time them they became evil and thinking vice versa makes them good.

Andrew | 2:31 am, January 19, 2011 | Link

I really like reading this article because there are many individuals in the world that are heroes but are not recognized.  Heroes that have help humanity progress and prosper have fought with the greatest weapons which are love, respect, sincerity, and peace.  The governments that have had the greatest fear of seeing people free have always use war for colonization, genocide, and false treaties.  However, love is much stronger than war, and thanks to the modern forms of communication and exchange of information, more people are united for peace and do not support or participate in colonization or human genocide.  Since the start of humanity most people have use peace to progress, few have participated in war and few are participating. May peace prevail on earth!

Victor | 7:48 pm, January 29, 2011 | Link

A son raising up against an evil father. A brother standing up to a bully attacking his sibling. A stranger rallying to the side of a woman being assaulted in the street.

My sons are my strength. My reason to help others, that they may find the help they need in their lives.

pops | 9:39 am, February 3, 2011 | Link

Of course religion and eduction has a big impact on a child. But once a child is trying to live a good life (earning good karma or call it whatever you want) good things will happen to that child and he or she will recognize this.

So I think you can definitely change from evil to good.. maybe you _can be changed_ from good to evil.

Massud Hosseini | 7:28 am, September 17, 2011 | Link

Actually in my point of it depends upon the individual that what he/she thinks

asalah | 9:41 pm, September 24, 2011 | Link

“Research has uncovered many answers to the second question: Evil can be fostered by dehumanization, diffusion of responsibility, obedience to authority, unjust systems, group pressure, moral disengagement, and anonymity, to name a few.”  <—What I find amazing about this statement is that anything is being branded “evil” at all.  Well, maybe not.  Relativism seems to be something that’s employed when convenient, disregarded when it’s not.

Kukri | 6:58 pm, November 6, 2011 | Link

This is a very comprehensive discussion on heroism. Victor makes a great point in his comment about how most heroes go unnoticed by the vast majority of people. I think that lack of notoriety is part of what it means to be a hero: doing that which is unexpected without the need for a pat on the back. quotes for facebook status

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Thanks for the comments here very informative and useful keep posting comments here everyday guys thanks again.

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When a sniper’s bullet hits one soldier and misses the person next to him, that alone does not make the wounded soldier more heroic.

brokesteves | 6:10 am, April 24, 2012 | Link

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How to write a Hero essay?

Essay paper writing

Academic writing

The hero essay is a common task for many students. It is not always associated with the characters of books or movies because many young people would like to tell a story about their friend or relative. That is the reason why my hero essay is so popular and preferred by students. If you have the same task, congratulations! In this article, you will find all the necessary information. However, before writing the hero paper, it is essential to take care of several things to make your essay high-quality. So let us concentrate on the hints for your text. Also, you are not restricted from adding your own points.

Planning your hero essay

There are many topics for hero essay, so it is really easy to get lost in a huge amount of them. Before writing anything, make sure to choose an interesting topic as well as one of good titles for a hero essay. Having an interesting title, you will definitely spark the interest of your readers. By the way, it’s a good idea to think about hero essay titles after you finish the actual paper. This way, you will have a full picture of what is the main idea of essay, so it might be easy to formulate in interesting title.

Some of the topics will be given in the text, but feel free to come up with your own; it can be anything, even something like walt disney hero essay if that is what interests you. Just remember that the topic should be engaging not only for reading but for researching as well.

Now let’s think: how to approach your hero essay outline? If you have never written an essay before, it may seem challenging, but don’t worry, it’s not that complicated. First thing first, you will need to start looking for the information for hero essay introduction and all of the other parts of the text that you are going to include.  Let’s consider how to tackle this stage of writing.

Search for information

This aspect is one of the most important ones that you are going to face before writing the super hero paper. Having enough information is essential, otherwise, you’ll end up thinking that you have no good ideas about how to continue writing. To prevent that, we are going to give you some advice on how to find only the best information for your ‘my mom is my hero’ essay, hero essay, or any type of essay that you are going to have in the future. The advice is quite general, making it great even for those who just want to improve the skills of writing texts.

Let’s consider the actual approaches to the planning of your personal hero essay. You have to decide the way you are going to look for all of the information available. And of course, you will need to remember everything that might be useful for you when writing the text. However, in most cases, the best decision is to answer the central questions of your who is your hero essay. That is most likely going to bring you all of the success that you are expecting from the text.

It is generally known that the materials on the Internet are not always reliable. However, when you have a ton of various sources, there is no time to check all of them; still, that is the task that everybody should do before letting that info appear in hero essay assignment.

We know how difficult it sometimes gets to write a high-quality text and look for the relevant info for epic hero essay. But believe us, all the time you spend on checking the sources will not be wasted in vain because having done that, you will definitely get an excellent mark!

Introduction for your what is a hero essay

This point is often underestimated by the novice writers, as they think that there is no way to convey an important message to the reader in this part of the text. However, they forget that without the intro section, there is no way to start the essay at all. The first paragraph of your ‘describe a hero’ essay (or any other type of paper) should be one of the most interesting and intriguing ones in the text, as you are going to attract the reader’s attention. If they see that your text is not something that they have been looking for just because of the first paragraph, there is no chance that you’ll find the audience for your super hero essay.

The next thing that many authors tend to forget is the fact that the first paragraph impacts the following parts. Just remember those texts in which you got interested in the introduction, and after reading the main body, you felt like you had been cheated, as you didn’t get what had been expected. Also, it is crucial to remember that you will need to have some really curious and intriguing facts. It is not an easy task if you write on challenging topics just like one of antigone tragic hero essay or something like that. Alright, it’s time to move our discussion to the main part.

Writing the main part for your what makes a hero essay

Even though it seems to be more difficult than all of the other parts of the text, body paragraphs are quite easy to work on, as everything you need is proper preparation. If you do every required step before writing your qualities of a hero essay, there will be no problem in making a perfect paper. However, even if you do not have all of the needed information for the nice main part, you still have some time to start thinking of what you can write in this case. Remember to avoid including too much info. As you go forward, you may realize that half of it is not going to fit the essay type or genre, and it will be rather hard for you to find the right information for your positive or tragic hero essay.  

After you are done with the information search, it’s time to think about the structure of the paragraphs. Almost every essay has the following structure:

• Introduction with a strong thesis statement;
• Main part with 2-3 paragraphs;
• Conclusion, which should not contain any new information.

What should you do to create a good main part of the text on this topic? First of all, you need to be prepared for writing. Make sure that you had enough rest after writing the first part of the paper. That will allow you to concentrate on the body of your what is a true hero essay. First thing first, you have to get some new data. The good news is that you don’t need to look for a big amount of information or various my hero essay ideas. What you are going to do is to imagine somebody who is a hero for you. For some people, what makes a person a hero essay is going to be easy to work on as they already have an image of a hero in their mind. That might be their relative or somebody that has made a considerable impact on them. By the way, my dad is my hero essay is quite popular assignment among students nowadays. But a hero is not necessarily somebody close to you or even somebody you know; it may be your favorite singer or even that guy that runs past your house every morning at 5 am. Almost anyone can become your hero. All you need to do is to think of them that way, and that will be enough for your real life hero essay. You may concentrate on the personal traits of an individual you chose to describe.

Imagine that you will have to write a characteristics of a hero essay. It is not enough to say that somebody is brave; there should be some facts as evidence of this quality. For some people, this task is going to be a way more difficult task than to write a Jesus is my hero essay.

After you are done with the qualities, it will be time to move on to the other aspects. For example, you may specify why this person is so special to you. What is the reason for you to consider this person as your hero? Even though it might seem a boring task, it will be a defining one in an assignment like this one. Therefore, do not skip this step, and you will be awarded a good grade for the essay. Of course, you will need more practice to improve your skills to become proficient in writing essays. However, this first work will surely help you to answer the questions of what defines a hero essay and will also be a layout to tell about some other people you think should be called heroes. Having the first text as an example, you will be able to compare those heroes to show why both of them have to be called so. If you feel that you should include some more parts into the paper, consider writing about your antihero.

Anti hero essay

This is the topic that many people tend to forget about because it is not a popular issue to concentrate on. However, that is a perfect way to show your perception regarding the qualities that can potentially ruin the hero image of a person. At the same time, you are going to show that if heroes are going to absorb one of those qualities, you are not going to regard them as a role model. All of this information will be great to use in your what makes a good hero essay, because it is a well-known fact that even the best qualities may be crossed out by the negative one. A great way to add something to such a paragraph would be a story about somebody who you almost thought of as a hero, but they made some terrible mistakes, so now you may even consider them to be an antihero. Of course, there will be no opportunity to use such a paragraph in your god is my hero essay, but you are able to include such information in almost any other paper.

At the end of your paragraph, you can state that eventually, antiheroes may also become the great people and even somebody’s heroes. For example, somebody you disliked turned a great person when they had faced some problems in their life to become different and to change their behavior. This is an extremely important point – the ability to change for better, as it is considered to be dramatically challenging to do. You may also remember many facts when an absolutely unknown person became one’s hero. That would make a perfect paragraph for the outsiders hero essay. For example, some people help others with different types of donations. Very often, the financial help for those in need can become a saving act in providing food or medicine. For some people, the situation is different, because they may have money and can spend it to cure themselves, but the problem is that money cannot always help. Here you can find the answer to the central questions of your how to become a hero essay. For example, you may donate blood and save the lives of about three people (according to medical statistics). Donation of blood will not harm your organism but surely help others. You will become a real hero for those who even don’t know you. This information may be the answer to the question of how to write a hero essay.

You might also want to add some other stories to the main part of the text. The right thing to do is to analyze the theme of heroism in the historical context. Let us talk about veterans, who are great examples of heroes who gave us an opportunity to live in a peaceful world. You may surely question the importance of their deeds in your why is a veteran a hero essay, and you will find dozens of facts as evidence to that statement. Moreover, do not forget that veterans are not only those who were fighting in World War II but also the ones who are protecting the country at present. In many cases, they are the right people to write about in your national hero essay.

Can anyone be a hero essay

Probably, most people believe that heroes are always unique individuals who were trained for years to do great things for humanity. That is not always true, and you have a chance to ruin this myth and convince your audience that everybody can become a hero in real life by writing an essay about it, using some of our ideas how to become a hero, or creating a traits of a hero essay so that others could learn from it too.

First of all, a true hero worries about others more than themselves. You have to be willing to help others and to show empathy not only to your friends and relatives but also to strangers. Learn how to accept others, their pain and needs, and try to put yourself in their shoes. This way, you will be able to help anybody.

Perform random acts of kindness. Do small and simple things every day; being a hero takes not only significant steps but smaller ones too. You could buy a coffee for a stranger, provide groceries and food for someone who is in need, or help tourists leading their way. Being a hero takes time and effort, but it is something that is 100% worth it.

Hero essay conclusion

First of all, before you actually start writing your conclusion, think about any ideas on how to finish the essay in the best way. There is no need to rush – it’s best to take your time and do things carefully.

After you have done that, try to list all of the main ideas that you presented in the main body. You don’t have to take a look at each point you have made, only at the most important ones. This way, you will review all of the things that were said before and know what to avoid in conclusion and which words fit the best. Finally, adding new information is not recommended at this point because a good conclusion of your being a hero essay should include only restated ideas.

So let’s move on to the actual writing:

• Start with an opening sentence for your conclusion. Don’t use such common phrases as “In conclusion” or “To conclude” because they make your text sound clichéd and boring. Instead, think about some interesting phrases and connect them to your ideas and evidence. Your readers must feel that the essay has come to an end, but it should be done originally. You can add some transitions to make sure that it’s clear that this is the final part of the paper. Then, restate your main argument and thesis statement of your essay. It is essential to make sure that the thesis statement is mentioned in conclusion because it is probably the most important part of the text. If you write what does it mean to be a hero essay, and your main point is that everyone can be a hero, try to restate the same thought in different words. You need to do that to remind your readers of all of the main points one more time.
• Summarize all of your strongest points and thoughts in a conclusion of a hero essay. The role of your conclusion is not only to remind your readers of the main argument but also to talk again about the points you have made. You have to take the first sentence of each body paragraph and rewrite the main arguments in two to three sentences.

Finally, while your introduction requires a right hook for a hero essay, and your conclusion needs an interesting twist. You can add a joke or a story from your life to appeal to the emotions of your readers, or even make a call for action. This way, the text is understood and remembered better. If your essay is written about any social issue, it is best to add a call to action, since most problems in our world require other people to start doing something. For example, in a conclusion paragraph for a hero essay, you may say that everyone can be a hero, and now it’s a great time to start helping others and making our planet a better place.

And of course, there are also many mistakes that writers make when ending their essays. So let’s discuss once more what are the don’ts of a good conclusion:

• Do not repeat the same sentence. When you have to restate the main point of your essay, use different words and sentence structure to make your definition of a hero essay conclusion more original.
• Do not use language that your readers may not be familiar with. If there are any scientific terms that you need to use, try to find substitutes for them.
• Do not add any new information. The conclusion is not the right place for introducing any new material or content because this will confuse your readers and distract them from the main topic.

That is all you need for a great hero essay conclusion. Just do your best, and you will see the result!  

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Essay on Heroism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Heroism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Heroism

What is heroism.

Heroism is the act of showing courage or bravery, often in challenging or dangerous situations. It’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s hard or scary. Heroes can be everyday people who stand up for what’s right or help others in need.

Types of Heroes

Heroes come in many forms. Some are famous, like firefighters or soldiers, who risk their lives to protect others. Others are ordinary people, like a friend who stands up to a bully, or a neighbor who helps an elderly person with their groceries.

Qualities of a Hero

Heroes are brave, but they’re also kind. They think about others before themselves, and they’re willing to act even when it’s hard. They’re honest, responsible, and they never give up, no matter how tough things get.

Why Heroism Matters

Heroism is important because it inspires us to be better people. When we see someone act bravely or kindly, it makes us want to do the same. Heroes show us that we all have the power to make a difference in the world.

In conclusion, heroism is about more than just bravery. It’s about kindness, selflessness, and perseverance. We can all be heroes, in our own ways, by standing up for what’s right and helping others when they need it.

250 Words Essay on Heroism

Heroism is the act of showing great courage and strength. It is often linked with people who do brave things to help others, even if it means putting themselves in danger. A hero can be anyone, from a firefighter saving lives to a student standing up against bullying.

There are many types of heroes. Some are famous, like Superman or Wonder Woman, who use their special powers to fight evil. But, real-life heroes do not have superpowers. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Doctors, soldiers, and even our parents can be heroes.

Heroes have many qualities that make them special. They are brave, selfless, and always ready to help others. They don’t think twice before jumping into action, even if it means risking their own safety. They believe in doing what’s right, no matter how hard it is.

Why are Heroes Important?

Heroes are important because they inspire us. When we see someone acting bravely, it encourages us to be brave too. They show us that even in tough times, we can make a difference. Heroes remind us that we all have the power to do good.

In conclusion, heroism is about bravery, selflessness, and doing the right thing. We can all be heroes if we choose to stand up for what’s right, help others, and face our fears. So, let us try to be a hero in our own little ways and make the world a better place.

500 Words Essay on Heroism

Heroism is when a person does something brave, often risking their own safety to help others. It is not about being strong or powerful, but about showing courage and selflessness. A hero is someone who cares more about others than themselves. They are willing to face danger to protect or help someone else.

There are many types of heroes. Some are famous, like firefighters, police officers, or soldiers. These people risk their lives every day to keep us safe. But there are also everyday heroes who may not be as well-known. These could be teachers who inspire their students, doctors who save lives, or even a friend who stands up for someone being bullied.

Heroes have special qualities that make them stand out. They are brave, and not afraid to face danger. They are selfless, thinking of others before themselves. They are also kind, showing compassion and understanding to those in need. But most importantly, heroes are determined. They do not give up, even when things are tough.

Heroes in History

History is full of heroes. People like Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equal rights, or Malala Yousafzai, who stood up for girls’ education, are examples of heroes. They faced great danger and even risked their lives for what they believed in. Their actions have made the world a better place.

Heroes Around Us

We do not have to look far to find heroes. They are all around us. Maybe it’s a parent who works hard to provide for their family, or a friend who helps you when you’re feeling down. You might even be a hero to someone without knowing it. By showing kindness and courage, we can all be heroes in our own way.

In conclusion, heroism is about more than just being strong or brave. It’s about caring for others, standing up for what is right, and never giving up. Heroes can be anyone, from famous figures to everyday people. And the best part is, we all have the potential to be heroes. So let’s strive to be the best we can be, and maybe one day, we will be someone’s hero.

In this essay, we have learned about the meaning of heroism, the types of heroes, the qualities of a hero, heroes in history, and heroes around us. We have also learned that we all have the potential to be heroes. It is important to remember that heroism is not about being powerful, but about showing courage and selflessness. It is about caring for others and standing up for what is right. So let’s strive to be the best we can be, and maybe one day, we will be someone’s hero.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Hide And Seek Game
• Essay on High School
• Essay on High School Life Experience

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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What Makes a Person Heroic?

Characteristics of a hero.

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig).

• Definitions
• Characteristics

What makes a person heroic? Is there a hero gene, naturally giving someone the characteristics of a hero? According to one study, the answer might rest in the type of heroism we are addressing.

In a paper published in 2010, researchers reported that people who engaged in one-time acts of bravery (like rushing into a burning building or rescuing someone from the path of an oncoming train) are not necessarily that much different from control groups of non-heroes.

By contrast, people who engage in lifelong heroism (such as professional nurses who regularly comfort the sick and dying) do share a number of important personality traits such as empathy , nurturance, and a need to live by a moral code.

Definitions of Heroism

The scientific study of heroism is a relatively recent topic of interest within the field of psychology.

Researchers have offered different definitions of exactly what makes a hero, but most suggest that heroism involves prosocial, altruistic actions that involve an element of personal risk or sacrifice. 

Researchers Franco, Blau, and Zimbardo suggest that heroism involves more than just this, however. In their definition, a heroic person is someone who:

• Acts voluntarily for the service of others who are in need, whether it is for an individual, a group, or a community
• Performs actions without any expectation of reward or external gain
• Recognizes and accepts the potential risk or sacrifice made by taking heroic actions

Researchers also do not necessarily agree about the central characteristics that make up heroism. One study published in 2015 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggested that heroes have 12 central traits, which are:

• Determination
• Inspirational
• Moral integrity
• Self-sacrifice
• Selflessness

The psychology of heroism might not be well understood, but many experts do believe that it is possible for people to learn to be heroes . The following are just a few of the major characteristics that researchers have ascribed to heroes.

Concern for the Well-Being of Others

According to researchers, empathy, and compassion for others are key variables that contribute to heroic behavior.   People who rush in to help others in the face of danger and adversity do so because they genuinely care about the safety and well-being of other people.

One study published in 2009 found that people who have heroic tendencies also have a much higher degree of empathy.  

People who engage in acts of heroism have concern and care for the people around them and they are able to feel what those in need of help are feeling.

Understanding Other Perspectives

Researchers suggest that heroes aren't just compassionate and caring; they have a knack for being able to see things from the perspective of others.   They can "walk a mile in another man's shoes," so to speak.

When they encounter a situation where an individual is in need, they are immediately able to see themselves in that same situation and see what needs to be done to help.

Heroes Have Useful Skills and Strengths

Clearly, having the training or physical ability to deal with a crisis can also play a major role in whether or not people become heroes.

In situations where would-be rescuers lack the know-how or sheer physical strength to make a difference, people are less likely to help or are more likely to find less direct ways to take action. And in many cases, this approach is probably best; after all, people senselessly rushing into a dangerous situation can pose even more difficulties for rescue workers.

People who are trained and capable, such as those with first aid training and experience, are more ready and able to step up when their skills are needed.

Heroes Have a Strong Moral Compass

According to heroism researchers Zimbardo and Franco, heroes have two essential qualities that set them apart from non-heroes: they live by their values and they are willing to endure personal risk to protect those values.  

Their values and personal beliefs give them the courage and resolve to endure risk and even danger in order to adhere to those principles.

Heroes Are Competent and Confident

It takes both skill and self-confidence to rush into where others fear to tread. Researchers suggest that people who perform heroic acts tend to feel confident in themselves and their abilities.

When faced with a crisis , they have an intrinsic belief that they are capable of handling the challenge and achieving success no matter what the odds are. Part of this confidence might stem from above-average coping skills and abilities to manage stress.

Heroes Aren't Afraid to Face Fear

A person who rushes into a burning building to save another person is not just extraordinarily brave; he or she also possesses an ability to overcome fear. Researchers suggest that heroic individuals are positive thinkers by nature, which contributes to their ability to look past the immediate danger of a situation and see a more optimistic outcome.  

In many cases, these individuals may also have a higher tolerance for risk. Plenty of caring and kind people might shrink back in the face of danger. Those who do leap into action are typically more likely to take greater risks in multiple aspects of their lives.

Heroes keep working on their goals, even after multiple setbacks. Persistence is another quality commonly shared by heroes.

In one 2010 study, researchers found that people identified as heroes were more likely to put a positive spin on negative events.  

When faced with a potentially life-threatening illness, people with heroic tendencies might focus on the good that might come from the situation such as a renewed appreciation for life or an increased closeness with loved ones.  

"The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us will be called upon to make at some point in time. By conceiving of heroism as a universal attribute of human nature, not as a rare feature of the few 'heroic elect,' heroism becomes something that seems in the range of possibilities for every person, perhaps inspiring more of us to answer that call," write heroism researchers, Zeno Franco, and Philip Zimbardo .  

A Word From Verywell

Researchers have found that in a lot of ways, heroes are not all that different from most people. However, there are a number of skills you can build that can boost your hero characteristics.

Building empathy, becoming competent and skilled, and being persistent in the face of obstacles are all abilities you can work on over time. By doing so, you can improve your ability to help others and come through in times of need.

Walker LJ, Frimer JA, Dunlop WL. Varieties of moral personality: beyond the banality of heroism .  J Pers . 2010;78(3):907‐942. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00637.x

Franco ZE, Blau K, Zimbardo PG. Heroism: A Conceptual Analysis and Differentiation between Heroic Action and Altruism .  Review of General Psychology . 2011;15(2):99-113. doi:10.1037/a0022672.

Kinsella EL, Ritchie TD, Igou ER. Zeroing in on heroes: a prototype analysis of hero features . J Pers Soc Psychol. 2015;108(1):114-27. doi:10.1037/a0038463

Staats S, Wallace H, Anderson T, Gresley J, Hupp JM, Weiss E. The hero concept: self, family, and friends who are brave, honest, and hopeful . Psychol Rep. 2009;104(3):820-32. doi:10.2466/PR0.104.3.820-832

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Personal Heroes: Celebrating the People Who Inspire Us

Who are your personal heroes? Are they people you know and admire, or are they famous personalities who have achieved great things in their lives? Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing they have in common is that they inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. In this blog post, we will talk about the qualities that make someone a hero, and we will celebrate some of the most extraordinary heroes in our lives.

We will begin by exploring why our heroes are so important to us, and what makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd. We’ll talk about the difference between a hero and a role model, and how we can learn from their experiences to become better people ourselves. We’ll delve into the different types of heroes – from everyday people who do extraordinary things, to those who have made a significant impact on society through their work or activism.

We’ll take a look at some of the most common qualities that heroes possess, such as bravery, honesty, integrity, and selflessness. We’ll also discuss how we can cultivate these qualities in ourselves, and why they are so essential to our growth and development as individuals.

Whether your hero is your mom, your best friend, or a famous celebrity, there is always something to learn from their life and experiences. So, join us on this journey of discovery and celebrate the people who inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves.

Why My Mom is a Hero

Growing up, we all have personal heroes that we look up to, and my mom is definitely one of my heroes. Here are some reasons why:

She is a Supermom

My mom is the definition of a “supermom.” She works hard every day to provide for my family while still finding time to take care of us. No matter how busy she is, she always makes sure that we are fed, clothed, and loved.

She is My Best Friend

My mom is not just my mom; she’s also my best friend. We share everything with each other, whether it’s our favorite TV shows, our secrets, or our dreams for the future. I know that I can always count on her to be there for me when I need her.

She is a Great Listener

One of the things that I love most about my mom is that she’s a great listener. Whenever I need to talk to someone about my problems, she’s always there to listen and offer advice. I never feel judged or criticized when I talk to her, and she always makes me feel better.

She is My Role Model

My mom is not just a hero to me, but she’s also my role model. She’s kind, compassionate, hardworking, and always puts others before herself. I strive to be more like her every day.

She is Brave

My mom is one of the bravest people I know. She’s faced so many challenges in her life, but she’s never given up. She’s taught me that no matter what happens in life, you can always find a way to overcome it.

She has a Sense of Humor

Even in the toughest of times, my mom always manages to find something to laugh about. Her sense of humor has gotten us through some difficult situations and always brightens up my day.

She is My Mom

At the end of the day, the reason why my mom is my hero is that she’s my mom. She’s been there for me since day one, and there’s nothing that she wouldn’t do for me. I am grateful for her every day, and I love her more than words can express.

Final Thoughts

Mothers are truly amazing. They are the ones who love us unconditionally and sacrifice so much for us. My mom is my hero, and I will always be grateful for everything that she’s done for me.

How to Become Your Own Hero

We all have our personal heroes, but have we ever thought of becoming one ourselves? It may seem like an impossible feat, but it’s not! Here are some tips on how to become your own hero:

Believe in Yourself

The first step to becoming a hero is believing in yourself. You have to trust in your abilities and know that you have what it takes to make a difference. Don’t let self-doubt or fear hold you back, and always remember that you are capable of achieving greatness.

Heroes always have a clear mission. Identify your goals and work towards them systematically. Create a plan with actionable steps, and consistently track your progress towards achieving them. This way, you’re always making progress and moving towards your goals.

Be Courageous

Being a hero means being fearless and standing up for what you believe in. Face your fears head-on, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The road to success is rarely straightforward, and setbacks and difficulties are bound to arise, but being courageous will help you overcome them and continue moving forward.

Practice Kindness

Heroes are always kind, compassionate, and empathetic towards others. As you strive to be your own hero, make an effort to help others whenever you can. Small acts of kindness can make a big impact on someone’s day and pave the way towards a better world.

Keep Learning

Heroes are always seeking knowledge and new experiences. Keep yourself open to learning opportunities and constantly expand your horizons. This will help you grow as a person and continually improve yourself.

In conclusion, becoming your own hero is all about believing in yourself, setting goals, being courageous, practicing kindness, and staying curious. By following these tips, you can be the hero of your own story and inspire others to do the same.

My Personal Hero Essay

Growing up, I had a lot of heroes, but one person who stands out to me as my personal hero is my mother. She is a person I’ve always admired for her resilience, hard work, and selflessness. In this section, I will share with you why my mother is my personal hero.

Her Unwavering Resilience

My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She went through a lot of hardships growing up, yet she never let her struggles hinder her progress. She always found ways to rise above the challenges. Watching her overcome obstacles has taught me to be resilient amidst adversity.

Her Tireless Work Ethic

My mother is one of the most hardworking people I know. She always puts in her all into everything she does and never shies away from difficult tasks. Her work ethic has taught me to always give my best in everything I do.

Her Selfless Nature

My mother is one of the most selfless people I know. She always puts others’ needs before hers and goes out of her way to help whoever needs it. Her selflessness has taught me to always strive to help others, even if it means sacrificing my own comfort.

Her Role as a Single Parent

Raising three children as a single parent is not an easy feat, but my mother did it with grace and poise. She was able to provide for us even with limited resources and ensured that we lacked nothing. Her dedication to being a good parent has taught me that being a good parent is not measured by the number of resources available but by the effort put in.

Her Belief in Education

My mother has always believed that education is the key to success. She went back to school later in life to get her high school diploma and has always encouraged my siblings and me to pursue our education to the highest level. Her belief in education has taught me to value it and to always strive for knowledge.

Key Takeaways

• My mother’s resilience taught me to be strong amidst adversity.
• Her work ethic has taught me always to give my best in everything I do.
• Her selflessness taught me always to strive to help others.
• Her dedication as a single parent taught me that being a good parent is not measured by the number of resources available but by the effort put in.
• Her belief in education has taught me to value it and to always strive for knowledge.

In conclusion, my mother is my personal hero for her unwavering resilience, tireless work ethic, selfless nature, dedication as a single parent, and belief in education. She has influenced me in many ways, and her qualities inspire me to be a better person every day.

Who is Your Hero Quora?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who is your hero?” Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t. But if you’re on Quora, chances are you’ve seen plenty of people asking this very same question.

Here are some interesting things I’ve learned about who people on Quora consider their heroes:

• Many people look up to their parents or grandparents as personal heroes. They admire their strong work ethic, their kindness, and their perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Others look up to famous figures like Oprah Winfrey, Brené Brown, or Tony Robbins. These role models have inspired them with their words of wisdom and helped them overcome challenges in life.
• Some people think of fictional characters like Harry Potter or Wonder Woman as their heroes. They admire their bravery, wit, and selflessness.
• For some people, their hero is someone they know personally, like a close friend, mentor, or teacher. These people have made a significant impact on their lives and have helped them become who they are today.

No matter who your hero is, it’s clear that having a personal hero can be incredibly motivating and inspiring. It can give you hope during tough times and remind you of what’s truly important in life.

So, who is your hero? Take some time to think about it, and you might be surprised by what you discover.

What Makes a Real Hero?

Many of us look up to certain individuals, often referred to as “heroes.” But what makes someone a hero, exactly? Here are some points to consider:

Selflessness

A true hero puts others before themselves. Whether it’s a teacher staying up all night to grade papers or a soldier risking their life for their country, selflessness is a crucial trait.

It takes bravery to step up in difficult situations, and heroes often exhibit courage. This can mean standing up for what’s right, taking risks to help others, or facing dangerous circumstances.

It’s essential to understand and care about others to be a hero. Empathy allows individuals to see things from other people’s perspectives and act with kindness and compassion.

Perseverance

Heroes often face adversity and challenges. Perseverance allows individuals to push through and continue to fight for what’s right, even when things get tough.

Heroes have the power to inspire others and bring about positive change. They can encourage people to strive for their goals, overcome obstacles, and make the world a better place.

In conclusion, being a hero is about more than just having exceptional abilities or powers. It’s about selflessness, courage, empathy, perseverance, and the ability to inspire others. Anyone can be a hero if they embody these traits and act on them.

Who are Some Real-Life Heroes?

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes – they can be someone you know personally, or someone you’ve only heard of through the media. Here are a few examples of real-life heroes:

1. Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers have been at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their lives to save others. They have worked tirelessly to care for those who are sick, often putting their own safety at risk. Their bravery and dedication have made them heroes in the eyes of many.

2. Teachers

Teachers have always been important members of our communities, but the pandemic has highlighted just how much we rely on them. Many have gone above and beyond to ensure that their students continue to receive an education despite the challenges posed by remote learning. Their commitment to their students is truly heroic.

3. Emergency Responders

Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are just some of the emergency responders who put their lives on the line every day. They rush into dangerous situations without hesitation, ready to help those in need. These men and women are true heroes.

4. Activists

Activists fight for what is right, often in the face of adversity. They dedicate their lives to promoting social justice and equality, and they inspire others to do the same. Their courage and determination make them heroes in the eyes of many.

5. Everyday People

Heroes don’t always wear capes – sometimes they look like your neighbors or coworkers. Everyday people who perform acts of kindness or bravery can be heroes too. Whether it’s standing up to a bully or helping a stranger in need, these small acts can make a big difference.

Heroes come in many forms, but they all share a common trait: they put others before themselves. Whether it’s a healthcare worker risking their life to save a patient, a teacher going above and beyond to ensure their students succeed, or an activist fighting for what is right, heroes inspire us all to be better. Who are the heroes in your life? Take a moment to thank them for their service and let them know how much they mean to you.

Who are Your Real-Life Personal Heroes?

Everyone has those people who inspire them and push them to be better versions of themselves. These real-life personal heroes may be famous figures, family members, friends, or even strangers.

Family Members

Our families often inspire us to be our best selves. Whether it’s our parents who instilled values of hard work and perseverance, our siblings who are always there to listen, or our grandparents who share stories of resilience and hope, our family members can be some of our most significant personal heroes.

Friends are the family we choose, and they can make a significant impact on our lives. They challenge us to be better, offer support during tough times, and share in our accomplishments and milestones. Some real-life personal heroes may be the friends who have been there for us through thick and thin.

Teachers are often unsung heroes, but they can make a profound impact on our lives. From encouraging us to strive for our goals to showing us the beauty of learning, teachers can inspire us to be our best selves. They can also teach us essential life skills and help us discover our passions.

Role Models

Many people have real-life personal heroes who are famous figures or role models. These individuals may be actors, athletes, musicians, or activists who have made a significant impact on society. They can inspire us to chase our dreams, stand up for what we believe in, and be a force for good in the world.

Sometimes our personal heroes are people we’ve never even met. These strangers may have shown us unexpected kindness, provided a sense of hope during a trying time, or simply served as a source of inspiration. They remind us of the good in humanity and prove that one person can make a difference.

Everyone has their own personal heroes who have impacted their lives. Whether it’s a family member, friend, teacher, role model, or stranger, these individuals inspire us to be our best selves and make our world a better place. Who are your personal heroes? Take a moment to reflect and appreciate all the people in your life who have made a positive impact.

What Makes Someone a Hero?

When we think of people we admire, we often refer to them as our personal heroes. These heroes could be anyone – a family member, a friend, or even a fictional character. But what qualities do these people possess that make us look up to them? Here are a few qualities that make someone a hero:

Integrity and Honesty

Heroes are people who stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. They have strong values and principles, and they always try to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. They are honest and straightforward in their dealings, and they don’t compromise their integrity for anyone.

Courage and Bravery

Heroes are also known for their courage and bravery. They are willing to take risks and face challenges, even when they are afraid. They don’t give up easily, and they keep pushing forward even when the odds are against them.

Compassion and Empathy

Heroes have a strong sense of compassion and empathy. They care about others and are always willing to lend a helping hand. They have a genuine desire to make the world a better place, and they do everything they can to help those in need.

Selflessness and Sacrifice

Heroes are often willing to put others before themselves. They make sacrifices for the greater good and are always looking for ways to help others. They don’t seek recognition or praise for their actions but are content with knowing they made a positive impact on someone’s life.

Perseverance and Resilience

Heroes don’t give up easily. They have a strong sense of resolve and keep going even in the face of adversity. They are resilient and can bounce back from setbacks and failures. They believe in themselves and their abilities, and they don’t let setbacks define them.

In conclusion, heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common – they possess qualities that we admire and aspire to emulate in our own lives. Whether it’s integrity, courage, compassion, selflessness, perseverance, or any other quality, these traits make heroes the people we look up to and admire.

Who Inspires You? Heroes That Have Impacted My Life

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s your parents, your mentor, or even a fictional character you relate to. In this section, I’ll introduce you to some of my personal heroes who have greatly inspired me and impacted my life.

My Parents: The First Heroes I Ever Had

My parents are my biggest inspiration and role models. They sacrificed so much for me, and their hard work and dedication inspired me to always strive for greatness. Seeing them work tirelessly, even when they were tired and stressed, taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I respect them deeply, and they will always be my greatest heroes.

Kamala Harris: Breaking Barriers and Changing the World

Vice President Kamala Harris is another hero that I admire deeply. She is the first woman and the first Black and South Asian person to hold the position of Vice President of the United States. Her goal to create a better world and her commitment to fighting for what she believes in motivates me to stand up for what’s right.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson: Proving Anything is Possible

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is a hero who has shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination. A former wrestler turned actor, he has made a name for himself and become one of the biggest names in Hollywood. His rags-to-riches story is an inspiration to me, and his commitment to giving back to his community makes him a true hero.

J.K. Rowling: A Hero Through Her Words

J.K. Rowling is a hero who has had a significant impact on my life. Her Harry Potter books taught me the importance of friendship, bravery, and standing up for what’s right. Rowling’s story of coming from a humble background and becoming one of the most successful authors in history is an inspiration to all aspiring writers.

Neil Armstrong: Reaching for the Stars

Neil Armstrong’s story of landing on the moon is an inspiration to me. As an astronaut, he dared to reach for the stars and achieved what was once thought impossible. His achievement serves as a reminder to me that, with dedication, anything is possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
• Parents can be significant heroes in our lives.
• Kamala Harris, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, J.K. Rowling, and Neil Armstrong are all heroes who have impacted many people’s lives.
• Hard work, determination, and commitment to a cause are just a few traits that can make someone a hero.

In conclusion, the people we admire and look up to say a lot about who we are as individuals. These heroes have inspired me and impacted my life in profound ways. Who are your heroes? Take a few moments to reflect on the people who have inspired you and why.

What Makes Someone a Personal Hero?

When we hear the term “personal hero,” some people may think of famous athletes, politicians, or celebrities. However, a personal hero doesn’t need to be someone who is well-known or famous. Instead, a personal hero is someone who inspires us, motivates us, and makes a positive difference in our lives.

Qualities of a Personal Hero

So, what makes someone a personal hero? Here are some qualities that many personal heroes share:

• Selflessness : Personal heroes are often driven by a desire to help others and make a difference in the world, without expecting anything in return.
• Resilience : Personal heroes often overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of adversity. They inspire us to do the same.
• Compassion : Personal heroes show empathy and kindness towards others, regardless of their differences.
• Courage : Personal heroes aren’t afraid to take risks or stand up for what they believe in, even when it’s difficult.
• Authenticity : Personal heroes are true to themselves and their values, which makes them genuine and trustworthy.

Examples of Personal Heroes

So, who are some examples of personal heroes? Here are a few:

• Parents : Many people view their parents as personal heroes, as they often sacrifice their own happiness and well-being to provide for and raise their children.
• Teachers : Teachers have a profound impact on their students’ lives, inspiring them to learn and grow both academically and personally.
• Mentors : Whether it’s a coach, boss, or older friend, mentors can provide invaluable guidance, support, and wisdom.
• Community Leaders : From firefighters to nurses to volunteers, many people who serve their communities and keep them safe are seen as personal heroes.
• Ordinary People : Even everyday people can be personal heroes. Maybe it’s a neighbor who always helps out, a friend who’s always there to listen, or a stranger who does a random act of kindness. These small acts of heroism can have a big impact on our lives.

In conclusion, a personal hero can come in many forms and from many walks of life. What makes someone a personal hero is their ability to inspire, motivate, and make a positive impact on our lives. So, take a moment to think about who your personal heroes are and why they mean so much to you. And remember, you don’t need to be famous to be someone’s personal hero.

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Who are the real-life heroes in the time of COVID-19?

• HCT Philippines

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By Gustavo Gonzalez

On World Humanitarian Day (WHD), 19 August, we celebrate and honor frontline workers, who, despite the risks, continue to provide life-saving support and protection to people most in need. On this day, we also commemorate humanitarians killed, harassed, and injured while performing their duty. This year’s theme is “Real-Life Heroes”.

But, what does it mean to be a hero? What does it take to help those in need, the poor and at-risk communities, those who are most vulnerable when a disaster strike? Why should we hold up as heroic the deeds of those who everyday continue to extend a helping hand?

As I write this, I am mourning the death of a UN colleague. He died last Friday, struck down by COVID-19, at the age of 32. As a team member of the UN’s Migration Agency, he showed exemplary dedication and commitment to the situation of migrants amidst this pandemic.

He was a true frontline hero, and he is not alone.

In these extraordinary times, and despite the very real danger to themselves, Filipino front line workers, like my fallen colleague, everyday put their own safety and well-being aside to provide life-saving support and protection to people most in need.

In the Philippines, every day since the beginning of the year, humanitarian workers have stood on the front lines dealing with the challenges arising from COVID-19 and other disaster events, like the displacement from the Taal Volcano eruption, the damage wrought by Typhoon Ambo, as well as continuing relief efforts in Marawi City and responding to those affected by the Cotabato and Davao Del Sur earthquakes. Despite the many risks, humanitarians continue to do their work, diligently and selflessly providing assistance to those who need it most.

Through years of responding to various emergencies and capitalizing on national expertise and capacity, the humanitarian community in the country has embraced a truly localized approach by recognizing what at-risk communities themselves can do in these challenging times. The private sector in the Philippines has also stepped up in sharing its resources and capabilities, joining with other humanitarian actors to support affected local governments and communities.

As we give recognition to local real-life heroes, we also need to protect and keep them free from harassment, threats, intimidation and violence. Since 2003, some 4,961 humanitarians around the world have been killed, wounded or abducted while carrying out their life-saving duties. In 2019 alone, the World Health Organization reported 1,009 attacks against health-care workers and facilities, resulting in 199 deaths and 628 injuries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled an important number of vulnerabilities as well as exposed our weaknesses in preventing shocks. It has also shown that the magnitude of the challenge is exceeding the response capacity of any single partner or country. It represents, in fact, one of the most dramatic calls to work together. The success of this battle will greatly rely on our capacity to learn from experience and remain committed to the highest humanitarian values. Our real-life heroes are already giving the example.

On 4 August, a revised version of the largest international humanitarian response plan in the country since Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 was released by the United Nations and humanitarian partners in the Philippines. Some 50 country-based UN and non-governmental partners are contributing to the response, bringing together national and international NGOs, faith-based organizations as well as the private sector.

COVID-19 might be today’s super-villain, but it does not deter our real-life heroes from doing their job and tirelessly working to find ways to combat the threat and eventually beat the invisible nemesis. We mourn the thousands who have lost their lives to the virus across the globe, including my colleague whom I have spoken of.

At the same time, we join Filipinos in upholding—in the midst of great adversity-- the tradition of celebrating the best of human kindness, generosity, social justice, human rights, solidarity and Bayanihan spirit. We celebrate what makes our front liners and humanitarian real-life heroes. We salute them for continuously putting their lives on the line, despite the risks and uncertainties.

Their efforts must not be overlooked or forgotten.

Mabuhay ang Real-life Heroes! Happy World Humanitarian Day!

Gustavo Gonzalez is the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines

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Real-Life Heroes Essay (462 words)

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Heroes abound in present times and many of them are fictional characters, for instance, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Thor. They’ve been significant in many people’s childhood and teenage years, but there’re also real-life heroes who embody the best human qualities and are acknowledged for making the difference. Heroes have always lived on the borderline between real world and that of imagination. On the one hand, we’re aware they’re not real because adults are constantly telling us heroes only exist in cartoons and movies. On the other hand, it seems that superheroes are real because they make us feel courageous when confronting adversities. That’s how a real-life hero can materialize himself these days: encouraged by a fictional character that, with his/her noble disposition, helps people deal with their fears and guides them into worthy achievement.

Additionally, a modern, real-life hero isn’t a costumed crime fighter, but an ordinary person who’s resolved to be “braver five minutes longer. ”To be a modern hero comes along with great responsibilities, thus an ordinary man’s mentality has to suffer a modification in order to understand that such responsibility is assumed, not imposed. Consequently, the capacity to take on responsibility where no one else would regard themselves as responsible, leads real-life heroes to do something about a situation rather than being helpless victims of it. The English poet Matthew Arnold once said: “The will is free; Strong is the soul, and wise, and beautiful; The seeds of god-like power are in us still; Gods are we, bards, saints, heroes, if we will! ” which may mean that there’re honorable characteristics inherently human that can make anyone of us a real-life hero, opposite to cultural stereotypes and committed to embrace diversity –heroes may come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. Hence, those who organize the neighborhood to get a stop sign, open children’s libraries, and protest against the threat of contamination are the ordinary people who’ve taken responsibility regarding an affair and have done a meaningful effort to improve it.

Finally, heroism doesn’t consist of wearing capes and tight clothes, and having superpowers to fight evil. Instead, it’s enough to develop a sense of responsibility to take a stand in those subjects that require a brave person to do something about them. We can all be modern-days heroes and be acknowledged for our contribution to a better society. Let’s make our own version of superheroes now!

Bibliography:

Arnold, Matthew.

The Poems of Matthw Arnold. 1840-1867. London, New York: Oxford University Press, 1909; From http://www. bartleby.

com/254/14. html, 2011. Debra, D. , Norloff, C. , & Carne, P. Q Skills for Success.

Reading and Writing 4 Student Book with Online Practice. USA: Oxford University Press; Pap/Psc St edition (2011)

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Amy Ettinger, who inspired readers with her life-affirming essays on dying, succumbs to cancer at 49

( JTA ) — Amy Ettinger,  an author and creative writing instructor who chronicled the last months of her life in articles for the Washington Post , died March 20 from cancer at her home in Santa Cruz, California. She was 49.

Ettinger’s essays focused on the things she was able to do and cherish despite her diagnosis with a rare, incurable cancer called leiomyosarcoma : seeing a live performance of “Mamma Mia!” with her 14-year-old daughter, Julianna; eating her favorite pastry from a San Francisco bakery.

“ I’ve learned that life is all about a series of moments, and I plan to spend as much remaining time as I can savoring each one, surrounded by the beauty of nature and my family and friends,”she wrote.

Ettinger was an occasional contributor to Kveller, the Jewish family website that is a Jewish Telegraphic Agency partner. There she wrote about her mother’s kugel recipe (“light brown on its crispy top, and the color of milky coffee in the middle”) , and how she, as a “non-observant Jew,” marked Yom Kippur — which in 2013 happened to fall on her 10th wedding anniversary .

“Like Yom Kippur, a wedding anniversary is a time to take a step back from your daily life — to weigh the good and bad, to contemplate your triumphs and missteps, to make a vow to do better individually and as a couple,” she wrote.

Ettinger was born in Rochester, New York, and grew up in Cupertino, California. She discovered her calling as a journalist in high school. She majored in American literature at UC Santa Cruz and earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1999.

Her writing appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, Salon, CNN and Newsweek. In a 2021 article for AARP, she wrote how her mother’s death inspired her to learn Sheila Ettinger’s favorite game: mahjong. She taught writing classes at Stanford Continuing Studies.

In 2017,  Penguin Random House published her memoir-cum-travelogue “Sweet Spot: An Ice Cream Binge Across America.” In it she wrote how she keeps “between fifteen and thirty dollars’ worth of ice cream in my freezer at all times” — not to eat, but as an “emergency backup system” in case one of her favorite shops or stores runs out.

Her follow-up story to her Washington Post article, titled  “I Have Little Time Left. I Hope My Goodbye Inspires You,” appeared on the newspaper’s homepage less than two weeks before she died.

“I am choosing to focus my limited time and energy on doing the things I love with the people I care most about. It’s a formula that works, I think, no matter where you are in your life,” she wrote.

In an article written after she died , her husband, the writer Dan White, wrote that she had dictated her last essay to him from a reading room at UC Santa Cruz with a view of a redwood forest. He said she had gotten hundreds of personal responses: A handful “unwelcome, including missives from ultrareligious people wanting my proudly Jewish wife to get saved to spare herself from hellfire,” but the vast majority saying Ettinger had inspired them to make the most of their lives no matter the cards they’d been dealt.

“Amy had no way of predicting that the lines she composed on the spot would be calls to action for readers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Poland, France and Greece,” White wrote.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Heroes — Bravery/Valor, Courage and Dedication: Qualities of a Hero

Bravery/valor, Courage and Dedication: Qualities of a Hero

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Did One Guy Just Stop a Huge Cyberattack?

A Microsoft engineer noticed something was off on a piece of software he worked on. He soon discovered someone was probably trying to gain access to computers all over the world.

Credit... Jon Han

Supported by

By Kevin Roose

Reporting from San Francisco

• April 3, 2024

The internet, as anyone who works deep in its trenches will tell you, is not a smooth, well-oiled machine.

It’s a messy patchwork that has been assembled over decades, and is held together with the digital equivalent of Scotch tape and bubble gum. Much of it relies on open-source software that is thanklessly maintained by a small army of volunteer programmers who fix the bugs, patch the holes and ensure the whole rickety contraption, which is responsible for trillions of dollars in global G.D.P., keeps chugging along.

Last week, one of those programmers may have saved the internet from huge trouble.

His name is Andres Freund. He’s a 38-year-old software engineer who lives in San Francisco and works at Microsoft. His job involves developing a piece of open-source database software known as PostgreSQL, whose details would probably bore you to tears if I could explain them correctly, which I can’t.

Recently, while doing some routine maintenance, Mr. Freund inadvertently found a backdoor hidden in a piece of software that is part of the Linux operating system. The backdoor was a possible prelude to a major cyberattack that experts say could have caused enormous damage, if it had succeeded.

Now, in a twist fit for Hollywood, tech leaders and cybersecurity researchers are hailing Mr. Freund as a hero. Satya Nadella, the chief executive of Microsoft, praised his “curiosity and craftsmanship.” An admirer called him “the silverback gorilla of nerds.” Engineers have been circulating an old, famous-among-programmers web comic about how all modern digital infrastructure rests on a project maintained by some random guy in Nebraska . (In their telling, Mr. Freund is the random guy from Nebraska.)

In an interview this week, Mr. Freund — who is actually a soft-spoken, German-born coder who declined to have his photo taken for this story — said that becoming an internet folk hero had been disorienting.

“I find it very odd,” he said. “I’m a fairly private person who just sits in front of the computer and hacks on code.”

The saga began earlier this year, when Mr. Freund was flying back from a visit to his parents in Germany. While reviewing a log of automated tests, he noticed a few error messages he didn’t recognize. He was jet-lagged, and the messages didn’t seem urgent, so he filed them away in his memory.

But a few weeks later, while running some more tests at home, he noticed that an application called SSH, which is used to log into computers remotely, was using more processing power than normal. He traced the issue to a set of data compression tools called xz Utils, and wondered if it was related to the earlier errors he’d seen.

(Don’t worry if these names are Greek to you. All you really need to know is that these are all small pieces of the Linux operating system, which is probably the most important piece of open-source software in the world. The vast majority of the world’s servers — including those used by banks, hospitals, governments and Fortune 500 companies — run on Linux, which makes its security a matter of global importance.)

Like other popular open-source software, Linux gets updated all the time, and most bugs are the result of innocent mistakes. But when Mr. Freund looked closely at the source code for xz Utils, he saw clues that it had been intentionally tampered with.

In particular, he found that someone had planted malicious code in the latest versions of xz Utils. The code, known as a backdoor, would allow its creator to hijack a user’s SSH connection and secretly run their own code on that user’s machine.

In the cybersecurity world, a database engineer inadvertently finding a backdoor in a core Linux feature is a little like a bakery worker who smells a freshly baked loaf of bread, senses something is off and correctly deduces that someone has tampered with the entire global yeast supply. It’s the kind of intuition that requires years of experience and obsessive attention to detail, plus a healthy dose of luck.

At first, Mr. Freund doubted his own findings. Had he really discovered a backdoor in one of the world’s most heavily scrutinized open-source programs?

“It felt surreal,” he said. “There were moments where I was like, I must have just had a bad night of sleep and had some fever dreams.”

But his digging kept turning up new evidence, and last week, Mr. Freund sent his findings to a group of open-source software developers. The news set the tech world on fire. Within hours, a fix was developed and some researchers were crediting him with preventing a potentially historic cyberattack.

“This could have been the most widespread and effective backdoor ever planted in any software product,” said Alex Stamos, the chief trust officer at SentinelOne, a cybersecurity research firm.

If it had gone undetected, Mr. Stamos said, the backdoor would have “given its creators a master key to any of the hundreds of millions of computers around the world that run SSH.” That key could have allowed them to steal private information, plant crippling malware, or cause major disruptions to infrastructure — all without being caught.

(The New York Times has sued Microsoft and its partner OpenAI on claims of copyright infringement involving artificial intelligence systems that generate text.)

Nobody knows who planted the backdoor. But the plot appears to have been so elaborate that some researchers believe only a nation with formidable hacking chops, such as Russia or China, could have attempted it.

According to some researchers who have gone back and looked at the evidence, the attacker appears to have used a pseudonym, “Jia Tan,” to suggest changes to xz Utils as far back as 2022. (Many open-source software projects are governed via hierarchy; developers suggest changes to a program’s code, then more experienced developers known as “maintainers” have to review and approve the changes.)

The attacker, using the Jia Tan name, appears to have spent several years slowly gaining the trust of other xz Utils developers and getting more control over the project, eventually becoming a maintainer, and finally inserting the code with the hidden backdoor earlier this year. (The new, compromised version of the code had been released, but was not yet in widespread use.)

Mr. Freund declined to guess who might have been behind the attack. But he said that whoever it was had been sophisticated enough to try to cover their tracks, including by adding code that made the backdoor harder to spot.

“It was very mysterious,” he said. “They clearly spent a lot of effort trying to hide what they were doing.”

Since his findings became public, Mr. Freund said, he had been helping the teams who are trying to reverse-engineer the attack and identify the culprit. But he’s been too busy to rest on his laurels. The next version of PostgreSQL, the database software he works on, is coming out later this year, and he’s trying to get some last-minute changes in before the deadline.

“I don’t really have time to go and have a celebratory drink,” he said.

Kevin Roose is a Times technology columnist and a host of the podcast " Hard Fork ." More about Kevin Roose

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