Name:____________________
Period:_______
Date:_______
Hero Essay
For your first paper here in English 10, you are going to write me an essay that details a reallife hero that you admire. Here are the physical requirements for this essay:
 Five paragraphs
 Each paragraph needs to be at least 11-13 sentences long
 Typed in Times New Roman or Garamond, 12 pt. font.
Ok, let’s break down this whole thing into some steps. Step one: pick a hero. It doesn’t
have to be someone you know, but it should be someone that you know about, otherwise
this is going to be a hard paper to write. Step two: a heroic quality about this person.
Again, pick a quality that you can write about.
This is going to be a five paragraph essay, which is good, because the steps before should set
you up nicely to format your paper in this manner. Now it’s time for some notes on the
things every papers needs!
1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________
4. _______________
5. _______________
6. _______________
7. _______________
8. _______________
9. _______________
10. _______________
So…who’s starting to panic? Raise your hand. Good, I like creating tension. Life would be
so boring without it.
Moving along. Now let me explain how I think we should go about doing this whole paper.
The intro paragraph should be pretty easy…but we should save it ‘till the end of the paper.
In fact, let’s write our rough draft in this order:
1. Body paragraphs
2. Intro
3. Conclusion
It’s easier to write an intro once you know what you are introducing, which is why we start
with the body paragraphs.
Now, about these bodies. The best way to show a quality, and the most interesting way to
show a quality (and for me to read about) is to tell a story. Pick a story that you know a lot
about (that’s important) and write me a story. It should have a beginning, middle, and end.
In three paragraphs, give me a little exposition, and little rising action, a good climax, and a
good resolution (denouement, for those of you playing along at home). Don’t forget that
good stories have good descriptions and good details. Also, don’t forget that your story
should focus on the heroic quality of your hero.
Finally, you can finish up by writing your intro and your conclusion. Make sure your intro
has a catchy attention-getter. Make sure it talks about the heroic quality…
Hmm…this is a lot to digest all at once…maybe I should just shut up and provide some
class time to work on this so you can ask me questions…
That’s a good idea.
I’m done now.
Really.
Go write.
Ask me questions.
Then go write.
You’re not writing…
Go write.
Stop…stop…stop reading, and go write…
GO WRITE!
Do you miss me, yet?
Name:__________________________
Hero Essay Rubric
____/5 Format
Times New Roman OR Garamond, 12 pt font, double spaced, default margins
____/10 Length
5 paragraphs
Body paragraphs at least 11 sentences long
___/ 10 Introduction
Great attention-getter
Starts with a general, large idea, ends specific
____/5 Thesis
Clearly identifies direction for essay
____/ 20 Body Paragraphs
Paragraphs have topic sentences, and transitions
Story presented contains elements of exposition, rising action, climax and
resolution (denouement)
Story focuses on and demonstrates a heroic quality
Last paragraph explains how the story shows the heroic quality
____/10 Conclusion Paragraph
Restates thesis without repeating thesis
Starts specific and end
Great clincher that leaves a lasting impression on the reader
____/20 Ideas
Develops ideas through a specific example
Lots of interesting and relevant details
Sensory description (describing things to the five senses – tell me how it tasted!)
____/20 Conventions
Avoids awkward/informal writing
Spelling/ proofreading errors
____/100 Total
Rough draft due:__________
Final draft due:__________
*Must be submitted to TurnItIn.com in order to receive credit.