how to write an essay on your hero

How to Write an Essay About My Hero

Writing an essay is difficult, but if it is about your favourite hero, it becomes even more challenging. You have to describe the main character, their heroic actions, and the unique skills that set them apart. A lot depends on the hero you have chosen to write an essay on. The first question that comes to your mind is who is your hero and why? It could be heroes or fighting soldiers from the war or a hero from a fictional story or your favourite cartoon movie. Once you have decided on the central figure of your essay, you can now describe and narrate all relevant details regarding your hero. The resilience, the character, and the personal traits that distinguish a common person from a hero can be elaborately discussed in the essay. If you are still in a fix and are wondering how to write an essay about my hero, then you have landed on the right page as we are about to give clear instructions on how to pen down a great compelling hero essay on your own. All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines and hints:

WE WILL WRITE A CUSTOM ESSAY

SPECIALLY FOR YOU

FOR ONLY $11/PAGE

465 CERTIFICATED WRITERS ONLINE

Importance of Hero Essays

Catchy titles for an essay about my hero, how to get the best hero essay, how to start a hero essay, tips concerning writing a hero essay introduction, how to write body paragraphs, how to write conclusion for a hero essay, short example of a college essay about my hero.

Heroes or heroic figures have a great impact on the minds of young souls. Children who view cartoons and watch heroic actions of their favourite characters like to adopt their traits. That is why when writing a heroism essay, it becomes imperative to reflect on the qualities these heroes exhibit truly. This helps narrate how heroes transform the lives of ordinary people through their special attributes, chivalry, and characteristics. Some superheroes like Spiderman and Ironman depict special powers and are most children’s favourite. Children also consider authority figures like their father to be a superhero who can solve all kinds of problems and always help them.

Writing such kind of essays instil a sense of love and pride for their superheroes. Since students love their superheroes and look up to them for guidance, they would like to describe all the good qualities of their heroes. Writing an essay about my hero helps them use describing words and good writing skills, which will, in turn, help them excel in their life.

There are plenty of hero essay ideas you can choose from. If you are wondering how to write a title and heading for your hero essay, these shortlisted titles will surely help you.

• My Father: My Hero
• Heroes of the Second World War
• What Makes Superman a Superhero?
• Traits that Distinguish an Ordinary Man from a Hero
• Top Qualities of a Hero
• True Legends of Time
• Heroes for a Cause
• Life of Nelson Mandela
• Who is my Role Model?
• Finding Your Hero

Wondering how to write my hero essay outline? Here is a simple guideline that will help you organize your content professionally. Writing an essay outline, you must go through a proper format to convey all the points in an easy, coherent manner. You should be able to put it in the following way:

Introduction

In the heroes essay introduction, there should be a statement describing a hero's life and the attributes that make a hero. In the introductory paragraph, you should describe your hero briefly and what makes your hero different from other superheroes.

The other element important in the outline is background. Inform the reader about the heroic acts and details set against the background. If it is the entire life history you wish to explain, then mention it in the background.

Attributes of a Hero

Once you have explained the background information and the setting, you should now mention the characteristics and attributes of the hero. In this part of the essay, the positive and negative aspects of the hero should be properly explained.

Acts of Heroism

What are the different heroic acts or special powers that set your hero apart from other superheroes? When writing the heroes definition essay, you should put together the acts of heroism.

The concluding paragraph should sum up the details about your hero.

When writing an introduction, you should keep in mind the special powers of your hero. Don’t write down everything in the introduction. Here are some tips you should keep in mind:

• Keep it simple
• Choose your superhero
• Write it in a statement form
• Mention the key points that differentiate your hero from others

It should have the suggested length. The body paragraphs can comprise 3-4 paragraphs depending upon your content. It should have complete details and mention the special features and attributes of the hero you selected. You can break down the body paragraph into different points. In one paragraph, you can explain the setting, background, life history of the superhero. In the other consecutive paragraphs, you should explain the special features and attributes.

For a compelling who’s your hero essay conclusion, you must sum up the essay. Write down all the points that tie the essay together. From the beginning to the end, everything in the essay should be conveyed in a gist. A good conclusion leaves a great impact on the mind of the reader.

Finalizing Essay

Once you have written down everything, now is the time to finalize your essay. Make sure to edit, proofread, revise and provide citations where necessary.

Essay Revision

Revise your essay. Read it out loud. When you read the essay, you will be able to find mistakes.

Essay Proofreading

Proofread the essay. Keep a check on the grammatical errors and typos. There should be no mistakes. Students who have tight deadlines tend to miss this part and are in a hurry to submit their work. This might show serious issues in the essay, which will reflect badly on your work.

Make Citations

Write down the references. While writing down the essay, if you have taken from different sources, then you should mention it. These citations and references show varied sources from where you have taken material for your essay. It also reflects your researching skills.

An essay on my hero example is as follows:

For instance, your topic is ‘My father, my hero!’ Here is how you should begin writing your essay.

My father is a gem of a person. He knows how to take care of his family in times of distress. Apart from this, he is a great teacher, impacting the lives of millions of people. His noble ways of teaching and sharing knowledge make him a superhero not only for me but for all those people whose lives he touched.

My father had a small family. He was the only son of his parents. His parents loved him but were very strict. His childhood days were carefree, but he was a responsible kid, aware of his duty towards his parents. He would never disobey them. His love was unconditional for his parents, and he would go out of his way to serve them. Since he did not have his siblings to support him, he led quite a lonely life. He was a self-made man who struggled in his early years to make a name of himself. His teachers loved him for his honesty and intelligence.

As he grew up to be a man, he was loyal to his job and family. He left no stone unturned in serving his aging parents. He got married and had kids. His love continued to grow for his family. For the sake of our happiness, he would sacrifice his little acts of happiness. He would feel happy when we were happy. The students he taught learned acts of graciousness and nobility from him. They would yearn to be like him, striving in little ways to become a personality he would cherish. Simple acts of kindness made him a superhero. He became a hero in my eyes and in the lives of all those people he affected in one way or the other.

From the milkman to the newspaperman, every person would greet him with great respect. The respect he earned showed how loved and revered he was. His altruism, chivalry, and bravery were exhibited in daily activities. He was a man of integrity, values, and principles. All these things and a lot more made him different from other superheroes. He was neither a celebrity nor an action hero, but he was a great man of spirit who lived in people's hearts.

If you are a student pressed for time and are looking for good writing companies who can do the job for you, check out the top essay writing companies that provide the best essays.

Buy Pre-written Essay Examples on the Topic

Pre-written essays can be easily bought. But it would be best if you were sure that the essay is genuinely written without any plagiarism. Essay Zoo is one such company that provides a good writing solution to all your needs. If you are looking for a pre-written hero essay, then buy it from Essay Zoo.

Use Edu Jungles to Write Your Essay from a Scratch

If you have a short deadline and wonder how to write my essay in 2 hours , then opt for reliable writing companies like Edu Jungles who know their job well. They can easily complete the task within the given deadline without compromising on quality.

We use cookies. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them by clicking cookie policy .

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.

View all posts

• Features for Creative Writers
• Features for Work
• Features for Higher Education
• Features for Teachers
• Features for Non-Native Speakers
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

Hero's Journey 101: How to Use the Hero's Journey to Plot Your Story

Dan Schriever

How many times have you heard this story? A protagonist is suddenly whisked away from their ordinary life and embarks on a grand adventure. Along the way they make new friends, confront perils, and face tests of character. In the end, evil is defeated, and the hero returns home a changed person.

That’s the Hero’s Journey in a nutshell. It probably sounds very familiar—and rightly so: the Hero’s Journey aspires to be the universal story, or monomyth, a narrative pattern deeply ingrained in literature and culture. Whether in books, movies, television, or folklore, chances are you’ve encountered many examples of the Hero’s Journey in the wild.

In this post, we’ll walk through the elements of the Hero’s Journey step by step. We’ll also study an archetypal example from the movie The Matrix (1999). Once you have mastered the beats of this narrative template, you’ll be ready to put your very own spin on it.

Sound good? Then let’s cross the threshold and let the journey begin.

What Is the Hero’s Journey?

The 12 stages of the hero’s journey, writing your own hero’s journey.

The Hero’s Journey is a common story structure for modeling both plot points and character development. A protagonist embarks on an adventure into the unknown. They learn lessons, overcome adversity, defeat evil, and return home transformed.

Joseph Campbell , a scholar of literature, popularized the monomyth in his influential work The Hero With a Thousand Faces (1949). Looking for common patterns in mythological narratives, Campbell described a character arc with 17 total stages, overlaid on a more traditional three-act structure. Not all need be present in every myth or in the same order.

The three stages, or acts, of Campbell’s Hero’s Journey are as follows:

1. Departure. The hero leaves the ordinary world behind.

2. Initiation. The hero ventures into the unknown ("the Special World") and overcomes various obstacles and challenges.

3. Return. The hero returns in triumph to the familiar world.

Hollywood has embraced Campbell’s structure, most famously in George Lucas’s Star Wars movies. There are countless examples in books, music, and video games, from fantasy epics and Disney films to sports movies.

In The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (1992), screenwriter Christopher Vogler adapted Campbell’s three phases into the "12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey." This is the version we’ll analyze in the next section.

For writers, the purpose of the Hero’s Journey is to act as a template and guide. It’s not a rigid formula that your plot must follow beat by beat. Indeed, there are good reasons to deviate—not least of which is that this structure has become so ubiquitous.

Still, it’s helpful to master the rules before deciding when and how to break them. The 12 steps of the Hero's Journey are as follows :

• The Ordinary World
• The Call of Adventure
• Refusal of the Call
• Meeting the Mentor
• Crossing the First Threshold
• Tests, Allies, and Enemies
• Approach to the Inmost Cave
• Reward (Seizing the Sword)
• The Road Back
• Resurrection
• Return with the Elixir

Let’s take a look at each stage in more detail. To show you how the Hero’s Journey works in practice, we’ll also consider an example from the movie The Matrix (1999). After all, what blog has not been improved by a little Keanu Reeves?

#1: The Ordinary World

This is where we meet our hero, although the journey has not yet begun: first, we need to establish the status quo by showing the hero living their ordinary, mundane life.

It’s important to lay the groundwork in this opening stage, before the journey begins. It lets readers identify with the hero as just a regular person, “normal” like the rest of us. Yes, there may be a big problem somewhere out there, but the hero at this stage has very limited awareness of it.

The Ordinary World in The Matrix :

We are introduced to Thomas A. Anderson, aka Neo, programmer by day, hacker by night. While Neo runs a side operation selling illicit software, Thomas Anderson lives the most mundane life imaginable: he works at his cubicle, pays his taxes, and helps the landlady carry out her garbage.

#2: The Call to Adventure

The journey proper begins with a call to adventure—something that disrupts the hero’s ordinary life and confronts them with a problem or challenge they can’t ignore. This can take many different forms.

While readers may already understand the stakes, the hero is realizing them for the first time. They must make a choice: will they shrink from the call, or rise to the challenge?

The Call to Adventure in The Matrix :

A mysterious message arrives in Neo’s computer, warning him that things are not as they seem. He is urged to “follow the white rabbit.” At a nightclub, he meets Trinity, who tells him to seek Morpheus.

#3: Refusal of the Call

Oops! The hero chooses option A and attempts to refuse the call to adventure. This could be for any number of reasons: fear, disbelief, a sense of inadequacy, or plain unwillingness to make the sacrifices that are required.

A little reluctance here is understandable. If you were asked to trade the comforts of home for a life-and-death journey fraught with peril, wouldn’t you give pause?

Refusal of the Call in The Matrix :

Agents arrive at Neo’s office to arrest him. Morpheus urges Neo to escape by climbing out a skyscraper window. “I can’t do this… This is crazy!” Neo protests as he backs off the ledge.

#4: Meeting the Mentor

Okay, so the hero got cold feet. Nothing a little pep talk can’t fix! The mentor figure appears at this point to give the hero some much needed counsel, coaching, and perhaps a kick out the door.

After all, the hero is very inexperienced at this point. They’re going to need help to avoid disaster or, worse, death. The mentor’s role is to overcome the hero’s reluctance and prepare them for what lies ahead.

Meeting the Mentor in The Matrix :

Neo meets with Morpheus, who reveals a terrifying truth: that the ordinary world as we know it is a computer simulation designed to enslave humanity to machines.

#5: Crossing the First Threshold

At this juncture, the hero is ready to leave their ordinary world for the first time. With the mentor’s help, they are committed to the journey and ready to step across the threshold into the special world . This marks the end of the departure act and the beginning of the adventure in earnest.

This may seem inevitable, but for the hero it represents an important choice. Once the threshold is crossed, there’s no going back. Bilbo Baggins put it nicely: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Crossing the First Threshold in The Matrix :

Neo is offered a stark choice: take the blue pill and return to his ordinary life none the wiser, or take the red pill and “see how deep the rabbit hole goes.” Neo takes the red pill and is extracted from the Matrix, entering the real world .

#6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Now we are getting into the meat of the adventure. The hero steps into the special world and must learn the new rules of an unfamiliar setting while navigating trials, tribulations, and tests of will. New characters are often introduced here, and the hero must navigate their relationships with them. Will they be friend, foe, or something in between?

Broadly speaking, this is a time of experimentation and growth. It is also one of the longest stages of the journey, as the hero learns the lay of the land and defines their relationship to other characters.

Wondering how to create captivating characters? Read our guide , which explains how to shape characters that readers will love—or hate.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies in The Matrix :

Neo is introduced to the vagabond crew of the Nebuchadnezzar . Morpheus informs Neo that he is The One , a savior destined to liberate humanity. He learns jiu jitsu and other useful skills.

#7: Approach to the Inmost Cave

Time to get a little metaphorical. The inmost cave isn’t a physical cave, but rather a place of great danger—indeed, the most dangerous place in the special world . It could be a villain’s lair, an impending battle, or even a mental barrier. No spelunking required.

Broadly speaking, the approach is marked by a setback in the quest. It becomes a lesson in persistence, where the hero must reckon with failure, change their mindset, or try new ideas.

Note that the hero hasn’t entered the cave just yet. This stage is about the approach itself, which the hero must navigate to get closer to their ultimate goal. The stakes are rising, and failure is no longer an option.

Approach to the Inmost Cave in The Matrix :

Neo pays a visit to The Oracle. She challenges Neo to “know thyself”—does he believe, deep down, that he is The One ? Or does he fear that he is “just another guy”? She warns him that the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

#8: The Ordeal

The ordeal marks the hero’s greatest test thus far. This is a dark time for them: indeed, Campbell refers to it as the “belly of the whale.” The hero experiences a major hurdle or obstacle, which causes them to hit rock bottom.

This is a pivotal moment in the story, the main event of the second act. It is time for the hero to come face to face with their greatest fear. It will take all their skills to survive this life-or-death crisis. Should they succeed, they will emerge from the ordeal transformed.

Keep in mind: the story isn’t over yet! Rather, the ordeal is the moment when the protagonist overcomes their weaknesses and truly steps into the title of hero .

The Ordeal in The Matrix :

When Cipher betrays the crew to the agents, Morpheus sacrifices himself to protect Neo. In turn, Neo makes his own choice: to risk his life in a daring rescue attempt.

#9: Reward (Seizing the Sword)

The ordeal was a major level-up moment for the hero. Now that it's been overcome, the hero can reap the reward of success. This reward could be an object, a skill, or knowledge—whatever it is that the hero has been struggling toward. At last, the sword is within their grasp.

From this moment on, the hero is a changed person. They are now equipped for the final conflict, even if they don’t fully realize it yet.

Reward (Seizing the Sword) in The Matrix :

Neo’s reward is helpfully narrated by Morpheus during the rescue effort: “He is beginning to believe.” Neo has gained confidence that he can fight the machines, and he won’t back down from his destiny.

#10: The Road Back

We’re now at the beginning of act three, the return . With the reward in hand, it’s time to exit the inmost cave and head home. But the story isn’t over yet.

In this stage, the hero reckons with the consequences of act two. The ordeal was a success, but things have changed now. Perhaps the dragon, robbed of his treasure, sets off for revenge. Perhaps there are more enemies to fight. Whatever the obstacle, the hero must face them before their journey is complete.

The Road Back in The Matrix :

The rescue of Morpheus has enraged Agent Smith, who intercepts Neo before he can return to the Nebuchadnezzar . The two foes battle in a subway station, where Neo’s skills are pushed to their limit.

#11: Resurrection

Now comes the true climax of the story. This is the hero’s final test, when everything is at stake: the battle for the soul of Gotham, the final chance for evil to triumph. The hero is also at the peak of their powers. A happy ending is within sight, should they succeed.

Vogler calls the resurrection stage the hero’s “final exam.” They must draw on everything they have learned and prove again that they have really internalized the lessons of the ordeal . Near-death escapes are not uncommon here, or even literal deaths and resurrections.

Resurrection in The Matrix :

Despite fighting valiantly, Neo is defeated by Agent Smith and killed. But with Trinity’s help, he is resurrected, activating his full powers as The One . Isn’t it wonderful how literal The Matrix can be?

#12: Return with the Elixir

Hooray! Evil has been defeated and the hero is transformed. It’s time for the protagonist to return home in triumph, and share their hard-won prize with the ordinary world . This prize is the elixir —the object, skill, or insight that was the hero’s true reward for their journey and transformation.

Return with the Elixir in The Matrix :

Neo has defeated the agents and embraced his destiny. He returns to the simulated world of the Matrix, this time armed with god-like powers and a resolve to open humanity’s eyes to the truth.

If you’re writing your own adventure, you may be wondering: should I follow the Hero’s Journey structure?

The good news is, it’s totally up to you. Joseph Campbell conceived of the monomyth as a way to understand universal story structure, but there are many ways to outline a novel. Feel free to play around within its confines, adapt it across different media, and disrupt reader expectations. It’s like Morpheus says: “Some of these rules can be bent. Others can be broken.”

Think of the Hero’s Journey as a tool. If you’re not sure where your story should go next, it can help to refer back to the basics. From there, you’re free to choose your own adventure.

Are you prepared to write your novel? Download this free book now:

The Novel-Writing Training Plan

So you are ready to write your novel. excellent. but are you prepared the last thing you want when you sit down to write your first draft is to lose momentum., this guide helps you work out your narrative arc, plan out your key plot points, flesh out your characters, and begin to build your world..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Dan holds a PhD from Yale University and CEO of FaithlessMTG

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best my hero topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting my hero topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about my hero, ❓ heroes essay questions.

• Celebrities as Good Role Models In the conclusion, it was affirmed that celebrities’ accomplishments are easily identifiable to the public, as is the case with Angelina and Oprah, and this makes them good role models.
• Role Model: Nelson Mandela Through the African National Congress party, Mandela was determined to undergo any form of suffering for the sake of the South Africans blacks who were facing a lot of suffering at the hand of apartheid. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Willy Loman, a Poor Role Model to His Two Sons Biff and Happy The main theme in the play is sustained in the play with the sons of Willy attaining their personality from their father.
• Stereotyping Heroes in Cinema In mass media, representation usually involves the use of art and signs to change the concept of concrete reality, hence leading to stereotyping of characters and heroes in movies and other non-fiction programs from a […]
• My Hero: Bob Marley One of the things I admire the most about him is the possession of skills and the right attitude to influence positive change in society.
• Mythological and Modern-Day Heroes Myths and other forms of literature were the tools that the community used to pass the deeds of the heroes from one generation to the other.
• Father as a Male Role Model During the days when schooling was considered to be accessible only to the children of the opulent, those who were not privileged enough to go to school, remained at home and helped their parents in […]
• Education and Leadership Role Modeling Generally, the article is of great significance to education, for it provides a guideline on what leadership trainers should emphasize in their endeavors of ensuring that education builds all round and sound mind leaders, who […]
• Significance of a Male Role Model for Forming Tomas and Gabe’s Personal It is possible to pay attention to Tomas and Gabe’s visions of masculinity referring to the ideas developed by Tomas in relation to the question, to the opinion which is characteristic for Gabe, and to […]
• Parents as Failed Role Models: A Doll’s House and Fight Club The drinking culture of parents revealed in the story of the Fight Club underscores the elements that increase children’s exposure to alcohol and drug taking.
• The Life and Work of Jane Goodall, a Scientist and Role Model
• An Overview of the Reasons Why President Clinton Is a Role Model for Young People
• Prophet Muhammad as Role Model for Religious Teachers
• The Value of a Role Model in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• How Fortinbras is a Role Model to Hamlet
• The Privatization of Italian Savings Banks: A Role Model for Germany
• A Literary Analysis of the Influence of a Role Model in to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Risk Culture and the Role Model of the Honorable Merchant
• The Reasons Why I Look up to Clinton Richard Dawkins as a Role Model
• A Feminist Role Model in the Character of Catherine Earnshaw
• Positive Role Model in the Children and Young Peoples Workforce
• The Global Environment Facility-a Role Model for International Governance
• Transformational Leaders As A Role Model
• Family and Cosmopolitan Role Model
• The Importance of a Role Model That Impacts a Person’s Life
• Princess Diana as a Role Model and People’s Princess
• The Misconception of a Role Model and the Relation to an Athlete
• Virtue Ethics And The Great Role Model Of Folklore And Language
• Gender and the Study of Economics: Is There A Role Model Effect
• Paul Erlich as an Environmental Role Model
• What Makes Nooyi An Exceptional Role Model For All Of The Women?
• Finding America’s Television Role Model
• The Effect of Cristiano Ronaldo as My Football Role Model
• Ethical Issues and Management: Manager as a Role Model
• Oprah ‘s Role Model For Women Breaking Down Many Invisible
• Tennyson’s Ulysses as a Victorian Role Model
• The Police Officer as a Role Model for Children
• Role Of A Role Model For Employees
• Why Rey Is the Female Role Model I’ve Always Wanted
• The Role Model Qualities Shown by the Finchs’s Maid in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Professional Athletes Should Be Role Model to Kindergartners in Modern Society
• Holden Caufield as a Role Model in The Catcher in the Rye
• Why I Chose Martin Luther King as My Role Model
• The United States as a Role Model Government
• Women Rhetoricians’ Role Model and Pan Chao
• What Makes A Role Model Like A Good Outlook
• The Constitution of India is a Role Model for The World
• The Importance Of A Good Leader And A Role Model On The Team
• Importance Of Being a Role Model
• True Grit Is Not A Good Role Model For Young Women Today
• What Is the Concept of a Hero?
• How Do Heroes Inspire Us?
• What Is a Hero in Real Life?
• What Is the Importance of a Hero?
• What Is a Good Hero Statement?
• How Do Heroes Improve Our Lives?
• What Is a Hero to Humanity?
• What Are the Characteristics of the Hero?
• What Made a Person a Hero?
• What Is a Hero Leader?
• Is It Important to Have a Role Model That Influences a Person’s Life?
• Who Is the Greatest Hero in History?
• What Does a Hero of Our Time Mean?
• What Are the Qualities of a Hero?
• What Are the Ways to Be a Hero?
• What Makes a Hero Powerful?
• What Makes a Strong Role Model?
• What Are Role Models Responsible For?
• Why Are Role Models Important to Identity?
• What Are the Types of Heroes?
• Who Is the Best Positive Role Model?
• What Can Be a Positive Role Model in the Workforce?
• What Is the Difference Between Ancient and Modern Heroes?
• What Is an Anti-hero?
• How Are Heroes and Villains Represented in Films?
• How Did Education Affect the Success of Forbes Heroes?
• What’s the Difference Between Imperfection and Cultural Heroes?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/my-hero-essay-examples/

"77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/my-hero-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 26 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/my-hero-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/my-hero-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "77 My Hero Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/my-hero-essay-examples/.

• Role Model Research Topics
• This I Believe Research Ideas
• Relationship Research Ideas
• Hobby Research Ideas
• Courage Topics
• Hope Research Topics
• Conscience Questions
• Idealism Paper Topics
• Moral Dilemma Paper Topics
• Belief Questions
• Hard Work Research Topics
• Self-Concept Questions
• Honesty Essay Ideas
• My Family Research Topics
• Virtue Ethics Questions

• SOCIAL MEDIA

WRITING ABOUT HEROES WITH YOUR CLASS ON MY HERO (Middle School)

Celebrate the best of humanity using these resources and lesson plans..

MY HERO essays aren't only about facts; they're also about heart.

Sometimes one of the hardest elements for middle schoolers to incorporate into their essays is answering the “so what.” They can get caught up in listing facts without taking the time for critical thinking. Just like with all writing, often the most profound sentences come after we think we’ve finished saying everything we wanted to. Those sentences get to the heart of why the subject matter… matters. 

MY HERO essays are Expository - t hey use evidence to support an idea.

This evidence can be actions the hero has taken, the impact the hero has had on others, and the ways the hero has changed the world, and/or the writer. MY HERO value essays that demonstrate not just the subject’s heroic qualities, but why those qualities matter to the writer.

Write a 3 paragraph essay about your hero link .

Write a 5 paragraph essay about your hero link .

WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE IN YOUR HERO ESSAY:

Personalization : Have a strong point of view about the person you choose for a hero. Have any background information or information about the person's accomplishments support your ideas about the person as a hero. Relate what you share about your hero to how their heroism affects you.

Develop your ideas with details, descriptions, and examples.

Good writing includes proof reading to correct writing errors and to strengthen your ideas. 

Cite all sources at the end of your essay.

Only use images that are original, that have a Creative Commons license or have permission.

Ready to publish? Use our simple CREATE PROGRAM , including a class code, given by your teacher so your work can be gathered on a class page for publication.

Steps of the Writing Process

Prewriting : This is the planning phase of the writing process, when students brainstorm, research, gather and outline ideas, often using diagrams for mapping out their thoughts. Students consider the audience and purpose for their writing. Older students work on a thesis statement for their essay. 

Drafting : Students create their initial draft by writing down all their ideas in an organized way concentrating on a particular idea or present an argument. Audience and purpose of the essay is also important.

Revising : Students improve their draft by reviewing, modifying, and reorganizing their work. This consists of rearranging, adding, or deleting content, and by making the tone, style, and content appropriate for the writing's purpose. This stage does not consist of making grammatical changes or corrections. 

Editing : At this point in the writing process, writers concentrate on grammar and mechanics. They proofread and correct errors, as well as edit to improve style and clarity. Peer editing is helpful after the writer is finished editing his or her own work. 

Publishing : In this last step of the writing process, the final writing is published on the MY HERO website using the Create Program . 

Teacher Susan Noble Shares Her Lesson Plan on Her Philosophy of Teacher Writing 

My students undertake their study of heroes in the third quarter of a year of writing. They are confident about publishing their writing to the national audience of MY HERO because we have talked about effective style and worked on mastering mechanics through many different writing activities. I am always amazed at the developed and detailed writing students can create, so I am probably even more confident than they are about showing what they can do to a national audience!

The specific types of writing my students do are not as important as the path we take with each assignment. 

Use the link on the right to read the complete article . 

MY HERO lesson plan is useful for helping your students of all ages create meaningful hero essays.

Writing Activity after Reading a Biography or Autobiography

Students choose a biography or autobiography about someone they consider a hero. Students practice note taking skills that have previously taught as they read. Then they use their notes to write an expository essay about their hero. 

Students use the MY HERO Create Program to submit stories and essays for review and publication. 

After teachers register as an educator , they can creates a class code to organize students work and create a class showcase webpage of student published work. 

Students register prior to using the create program to submit their stories to MY HERO for publication.

Organizer created on 7/7/2020 9:41:08 AM by Laura Nietzer

Last edited 9/26/2023 4:05:36 PM by Laura Nietzer

Heroism Essay: Learn To Write By Example And Writing Tips

May 21, 2022 | 0 comments

May 21, 2022 | Blog | 0 comments

So, what exactly is a heroism essay?

A heroism essay is a narrative story about someone who has gone above and beyond their duty to help others. The hero, in this case, is not just any older adult but someone who has done something extraordinary for the benefit of humanity. Heroes are among us every day—they might be teachers, doctors, or anyone who helps others when needed most.

The word “hero” comes from ancient Greek mythology: heroes were men and women known for their strength and bravery in battle (and sometimes even being born half-god). These days we don’t worship Greek gods or fight wars over land–but we still admire people who do great things for their communities!

Definition of heroism essay.

A heroism essay is a type of writing that describes a heroic act by a person. It includes facts and details about the person’s life, including what they did to be considered “heroic.” This paper is interesting because it allows you to show your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and beliefs. You can also make a difference in people’s lives by writing about someone brave enough to do something good for society.

This article will teach you how to write an excellent heroism essay for your class or any other purpose that requires this kind of paper (for example persuasive essay).

Examples of Heroes

The word “hero” has many meanings. Some people would use this word to describe a movie star or celebrity; however, there are some very real heroes in the world. These individuals have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to help someone else. The same can be said for someone who doesn’t have a job at all but still saves another person’s life by doing something considered heroic by most people.

There are many heroes out there from different walks of life who have shown us courage and bravery in times when others were not willing to stand up for what was right or needed to be done. One such individual is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought against racism and hatred during his time as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

He worked hard towards equality among all races. He tried his best to improve himself and those around him because he felt everyone deserved equal rights regardless of race, background, etcetera. Main Info Text: “It may well be true that death will be more painful than birth while birth lasts only nine months instead of forty years.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

If you’re struggling to pick an example, here’s one approach: Think of someone who has been an important part of your life—a family member, friend, or teacher—who has done something heroic at some point in their life. Then try to figure out why this person inspires you and what makes them special to you (their strength? Their bravery? Their willingness to put others first?).

Essay Structure of Heroism Essay

Introduction: The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. It should be short (one or two sentences) and clear. This paragraph aims to provide a context for the rest of your work, giving readers some background information about what you plan to talk about in the body paragraphs. You might also want to provide some personal reflection on heroism or even a quote or two that will shape what you say later in the essay.

Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should begin with an introductory sentence that clearly states its main point—what argument are you making? Then provide examples from literature or history, from real life (if applicable), etc., to support this point with evidence from sources outside yourself. When appropriate, include quotes as well!

Conclusion: A conclusion wraps up your thoughts by summarizing what they have been throughout the essay and provides a final statement on them—what have we learned here? What has changed?

How to Write a Heroism Essay

• Choose and Write about a hero.
• Define the concept of a hero.
• Describe your hero in the body of the essay.
• Summarize the main points you’ve made in your paper, including how you chose your topic, what definition of heroism you used, and how you described your hero as part of this definition.

Choose A Worthy Example Of A Hero

The first step in learning how to write an essay about your hero is to choose a worthy example of a hero. There are many heroes: real and fictional, historical and modern, famous and obscure. While it’s true that many people can look up to the same person as their hero (for instance, both you and your best friend may admire Bill Clinton), keep in mind that when choosing someone as your inspiration or role model, you must select someone who means something special to YOU.

Your essay will be most effective if there is a connection between yourself and the subject of your writing. Perhaps this person has been especially helpful or inspiring throughout their life; perhaps they have achieved success in their way despite obstacles they’ve faced; maybe they have some other quality that makes them stand out from others around them. Whatever qualities made this person stand out for YOU personally makes up part of why they deserve recognition as one of YOUR heroes!

Start by defining the concept.

Before you begin writing, it’s important to define the concept of heroism itself. When you read books or watch movies about heroes, do they all seem the same person? How does one distinguish between a hero and a villain in fiction?

The term “hero” is used quite often today. You can use it about someone who saves lives from danger, such as firefighters and doctors; people who inspire others by setting an example; or even someone who has overcome great difficulties. The characteristics of heroism differ from culture to culture and from person to person; however, there are some basic traits that all heroes share: courage and selflessness are two very important ones!

Tell about your hero in the body of the essay.

Tell about your hero in the body of the essay. After all, you’re writing a paper on heroism, and it makes sense to talk about who has inspired you. Give examples of who your hero is and explain why they are your hero. For example, say something like: “My mom taught me how to be kind and caring for others. She always helps people in need, no matter what day or night.”

You could also talk about how they have impacted others’ lives and yours. The best way to do this is by providing specific examples or stories that illustrate their heroic qualities—this will make it easier for readers to understand why this person was so special in your life (and hopefully inspire them).

If there’s one thing that you can say definitively about heroes, it’s that they inspire us all by helping give meaning and purpose to our own lives through acts of selflessness or bravery beyond compare; therefore, these individuals deserve recognition not only from those close friends but also from society at large through media coverage and public acknowledgment via awards ceremonies such as Oscars®, Emmys®, etcetera!

Conclude with a summary of the main points

A conclusion is essential to every essay because it’s your last chance to leave an impression on the reader. It would help if you used this section to summarize the main points of your essay and reiterate your thesis statement . A good conclusion will tie everything together by showing how everything in the body of work you’ve just presented fits into a larger whole—and why they’re relevant.

Many writing experts recommend summarizing each paragraph from your introduction to help focus attention on the major points you’ve made in your paper. You can also restate or paraphrase one or more sentences from each paragraph, depending on how many points in total there are; for example: “In summary,” “Accordingly,” or “Finally.”

Additional tips on writing a heroism essay

Writing a heroism essay is not difficult once you are the know-how. If you want to write well, then I suggest that you take a look at the following additional tips:

• Pay attention to the introduction and conclusion. These are your essay’s first and last sentences, which means they’re also the most important ones! You want them to grab your reader’s attention and make sure they know what you’re talking about right off the bat.
• Avoid clichés, but don’t be afraid to use them if it helps your argument. Some clichés can be cliché for a reason—they’re true! If you need an example of this, consider that love is always “a battlefield in pop music.” It’s not necessarily bad; it works better in certain contexts than others.
• Avoid too much detail (unless it’s necessary). Don’t get bogged down by extraneous facts or arguments—these distract from what makes heroism truly heroic: selflessness for others’ sake. Don’t use more than three examples unless necessary—and even then, ask yourself if there are other ways you could express yourself instead of citing specific instances from history or pop culture that would illustrate your point just as well (or better). For example: “There was once an extraordinary man named Bernie Sanders who fought tirelessly against wealth inequality…” vs., “There was once an extraordinary man named Bernie Sanders who made sure everyone had access to healthcare…”
• Specificity and details are important. To make your essay stand out from the crowd, you must use specifics and examples in your writing. For example, instead of saying, “The hero’s actions were brave,” try something like, “The hero jumped onto the train tracks without hesitation.” This shows more about what happened during the heroic moment than just stating it flatly.
• Make sure that every idea supports one another with evidence from different sources for your argumentation to make sense as a whole piece of work (not just an incomplete collection).
• Try avoiding passive voice sentences when possible. They tend to sound less engaging than active voice ones because they don’t tell us much about who did what when/where etcetera which can sometimes be useful information depending on context (see below).

Heroism Essay Sample

Key takeaways.

In this article, you learned some tips and tricks on how to write a good essay about heroism. A hero has done something extraordinary, and it can be someone who is famous or someone you know personally. You also need to choose an interesting topic for your essay because if you have a boring topic, there’s no point in writing the essay at all!

A good way of making your essay more interesting is by using stories, but only if they’re relevant to your topic. It’s not necessary that you have to base your essay on a personal experience; it could be based on anything else too!

Get Help from our Experts with your Heroism Essay Paper

We are here to help you with your heroism essay. Our professional writers are ready to assist you with a wide range of topics, and our customer support team is available 24/7. If you need assistance at any time, don’t hesitate to ask us!

Our writers will ensure that all the requirements of your assignment are met while addressing the topic in depth. With their expertise and attention to detail, they can write an essay that will impress your instructor.

If you want revisions or amendments made after getting the first draft back, there’s no need for stress—our editors have been trained in all aspects of editing, so they know what you should make edits and how to make them seamlessly. You won’t have any issues with communication during this process because our customer support team will work closely with both parties until everyone is satisfied with the results!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you define heroism essay.

heroism is the highest manifestation of devotion and courage in public duty performance. A hero is a person who, for his achievements or qualities, is seen as an ideal, an example to follow.

What is the true meaning of heroism?

Heroism consists of putting others first, even at your own peril. The noun heroism comes from the Greek hērōs, which referred to a demigod. As someone who shows great courage and valor is referred to as a hero, their actions are considered to be acts of heroism.

What is the importance of heroism?

Learning about heroes like Lewis, researchers say, can inspire kids with reverence and awe – and motivate them to be heroic themselves. Heroes exemplify cherished values, display qualities we admire, show us how to overcome challenges – and call us to stand up for others. They help build a better world for us all.

What is a hero short essay?

It is a short essay of about 1 or 2 pages or about 300 to 500 words on a hero. A hero is anyone who can show courage when faced with a problem. A hero is a person who is able to help another in various ways. A person can become a hero by saving someone who is in danger. Another example of a hero is someone who is there to help others and gives them the strength to go on through life’s difficulties.

Experienced writer and dedicated professor with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and nurturing the next generation of critical thinkers

People Also Read

• The Art of Writing to Inform: Tips for Informative Essay Writing
• How to Write a College Admission Essay
• The Ultimate Guide to Essay Writing: Tips and Techniques to Ace Your Papers

Most Popular Articles

Racism thesis statement example, how to rephrase a thesis statement, capstone project topic suggestions, how to write an abortion essay, should students wear school uniforms essay, list causal essay topics write, respect essay, signal words, great synonyms, informative speech examples, essay writing guide, introduction paragraph for an essay, argumentative essay writing, essay outline templates, write an autobiographical essay, personal narrative essay ideas, descriptive essay writing, how to write a reflective-essay, how to write a lab report abstract, how to write a grant proposal, point of view in an essay, debate topics for youth at church, theatre research paper topics, privacy overview.

Improve your writing in one of the largest and most successful writing groups online

Join our writing community!

The Hero’s Journey Ultimate Writing Guide with Examples

by Alex Cabal

What do Star Wars , The Hobbit , and Harry Potter have in common? They’re all examples of a story archetype as old as time. You’ll see this universal narrative structure in books, films, and even video games.

This ultimate Hero’s Journey writing guide will define and explore all quintessential elements of the Hero’s Journey—character archetypes, themes, symbolism, the three act structure, as well as 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey. We’ll even provide a downloadable plot template, tips for writing the Hero’s Journey, and writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing.

What is the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey is a universal story structure that follows the personal metamorphosis and psychological development of a protagonist on a heroic adventure. The protagonist goes through a series of stages to overcome adversity and complete a quest to attain an ultimate reward—whether that’s something tangible, like the holy grail, or something internal, like self confidence.

In the process of self-discovery, the archetypal Hero’s Journey is typically cyclical; it begins and ends in the same place (Think Frodo leaving and then returning to the Shire). After the epic quest or adventure has been completed by overcoming adversity and conflict—both physical and mental—the hero arrives where they once began, changed in some as they rose to meet the ultimate conflict or ordeal of the quest.

Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogler

The Hero’s Journey has a long history of conversation around the form and its uses, with notable contributors including Joseph Campbell and the screenwriter Christopher Vogler , who later revised the steps of the Hero’s Journey.

Joseph Campbell’s “monomyth” framework is the traditional story structure of the Hero’s Journey archetype. Campbell developed it through analysis of ancient myths, folktales, and religious stories. It generally follows three acts in a cyclical, rather than a linear, way: a hero embarks on a journey, faces a crisis, and then returns home transformed and victorious.

Campbell’s ideation of the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces was influenced by Carl Jung’s perspective of psychology and models of self-transformation , where the Hero’s Journey is a path of transformation to a higher self, psychological healing, and spiritual growth.

While Campbell’s original take on the monomyth included 17 steps within the three acts, Christopher Vogler, in his book The Writer’s Journey , refined those 17 steps into 12 stages—the common formula for the modern structure many writers use today.

It’s also worth checking out Maureen Murdock’s work on the archetype, “The Heroine’s Journey.” This takes a look at the female Hero’s Journey, which examines the traditionally masculine journey through a feminist lens.

Hero’s Journey diagram: acts, steps, and stages

Below, you can see the way Volger’s Hero’s Journey is broken into twelve story beats across three acts.

Why is the Hero’s Journey so popular?

The structure of the Hero’s Journey appears in many of our most beloved classic stories, and it continues to resonate over time because it explores the concept of personal transformation and growth through both physical and mental trials and tribulations. In some sense, every individual in this mythic structure experiences rites of passage, the search for home and the true authentic self, which is mirrored in a protagonist’s journey of overcoming obstacles while seeking to fulfill a goal.

Additionally, the Hero’s Journey typically includes commonly shared symbols and aspects of the human psyche—the trickster, the mother, the child, etc. These archetypes play a role in creating a story that the reader can recognize from similar dynamics in their own relationships, experiences, and familiar world. Archetypes allow the writer to use these “metaphorical truths”—a playful deceiver, a maternal bond, a person of innocence and purity—to deeply and empathetically connect with the reader through symbolism. That’s why they continue to appear in countless stories all around the world.

Hero’s Journey character archetypes

Character archetypes are literary devices based on a set of qualities that are easy for a reader to identify, empathize with, and understand, as these qualities and traits are common to the human experience.

It should be noted that character archetypes are not stereotypes . While stereotypes are oversimplifications of demographics or personality traits, an archetype is a symbol of a universal type of character that can be recognized either in one’s self or in others in real life.

The following archetypes are commonly used in a Hero’s Journey:

The hero is typically the protagonist or principal point-of-view character within a story. The hero transforms—internally, externally, often both—while on their journey as they experience tests and trials and are aided or hindered by the other archetypes they encounter. In general, the hero must rise to the challenge and at some point make an act of sacrifice for the ultimate greater good. In this way, the Hero’s Journey represents the reader’s own everyday battles and their power to overcome them.

Heroes may be willing or unwilling. Some can be downright unheroic to begin with. Antiheroes are notably flawed characters that must grow significantly before they achieve the status of true hero.

The mentor often possesses divine wisdom or direct experience with the special world, and has faith in the hero. They often give the hero a gift or supernatural aid, which is usually something important for the quest: either a weapon to destroy a monster, or a talisman to enlighten the hero. The mentor may also directly aid the hero or present challenges to them that force internal or external growth. After their meeting, the hero leaves stronger and better prepared for the road ahead.

The herald is the “call to adventure.” They announce the coming of significant change and become the reason the hero ventures out onto a mysterious adventure. The herald is a catalyst that enters the story and makes it impossible for the hero to remain in status quo. Existing in the form of a person or an event, or sometimes just as information, they shift the hero’s balance and change their world.

The Threshold Guardian

This archetype guards the first threshold—the major turning point of the story where the hero must make the true commitment of the journey and embark on their quest to achieve their destiny. Threshold guardians spice up the story by providing obstacles the hero must overcome, but they’re usually not the main antagonist.

The role of the threshold guardian is to help round out the hero along their journey. The threshold guardian will test the hero’s determination and commitment and will drive them forward as the hero enters the next stage of their journey, assisting the development of the hero’s character arc within the plot. The threshold guardian can be a friend who doesn’t believe in the hero’s quest, or a foe that makes the hero question themselves, their desires, or motives in an attempt to deter the hero from their journey. Ultimately, the role of the threshold guardian is to test the hero’s resolve on their quest.

The Shape Shifter

The shape shifter adds dramatic tension to the story and provides the hero with a puzzle to solve. They can seem to be one thing, but in fact be something else. They bring doubt and suspense to the story and test the hero’s ability to discern their path. The shape shifter may be a lover, friend, ally, or enemy that somehow reveals their true self from the hero’s preconceived notion. This often causes the hero internal turmoil, or creates additional challenges and tests to overcome.

The shadow is the “monster under the bed,” and could be repressed feelings, deep trauma, or festering guilt. These all possess the dark energy of the shadow. It is the dark force of the unexpressed, unrealized, rejected, feared aspects of the hero and is often, but not necessarily, represented by the main antagonist or villain.

However, other characters may take the form of the shadow at different stages of the story as “foil characters” that contrast against the hero. They might also represent what could happen if the hero fails to learn, transform, and grow to complete their quest. At times, a hero may even succumb to the shadow, from which they will need to make sacrifices to be redeemed to continue on their overall quest.

The Trickster

The trickster is the jester or fool of the story that not only provides comic relief, but may also act as a commentator as the events of the plot unfold. Tricksters are typically witty, clever, spontaneous, and sometimes even ridiculous. The trickster within a story can bring a light-hearted element to a challenge, or find a clever way to overcome an obstacle.

Hero’s Journey themes and symbols

Alongside character archetypes, there are also archetypes for settings, situations, and symbolic items that can offer meaning to the world within the story or support your story’s theme.

Archetypes of themes, symbols, and situations represent shared patterns of human existence. This familiarity can provide the reader insight into the deeper meaning of a story without the writer needing to explicitly tell them. There are a great number of archetypes and symbols that can be used to reinforce a theme. Some that are common to the Hero’s Journey include:

Situational archetypes

Light vs. dark and the battle of good vs. evil

Death, rebirth, and transformation in the cycle of life

Nature vs. technology, and the evolution of humanity

Rags to riches or vice versa, as commentary on the material world and social status

Wisdom vs. knowledge and innocence vs. experience, in the understanding of intuition and learned experience

Setting archetypes

Gardens may represent the taming of nature, or living in harmony with nature.

Forests may represent reconnection with nature or wildness, or the fear of the unknown.

Cities or small towns may represent humanity at its best and at its worst. A small town may offer comfort and rest, while simultaneously offering judgment; a city may represent danger while simultaneously championing diversity of ideas, beings, and cultures.

Water and fire within a landscape may represent danger, change, purification, and cleansing.

Symbolic items

Items of the past self. These items are generally tokens from home that remind the hero of where they came from and who or what they’re fighting for.

Gifts to the hero. These items may be given to the hero from a mentor, ally, or even a minor character they meet along the way. These items are typically hero talismans, and may or may not be magical, but will aid the hero on their journey.

Found items. These items are typically found along the journey and represent some sort of growth or change within the hero. After all, the hero would never have found the item had they not left their everyday life behind. These items may immediately seem unimportant, but often carry great significance.

Earned rewards. These items are generally earned by overcoming a test or trial, and often represent growth, or give aid in future trials, tests, and conflicts.

The three act structure of the Hero’s Journey

The structure of the Hero’s Journey, including all 12 steps, can be grouped into three stages that encompass each phase of the journey. These acts follow the the external and internal arc of the hero—the beginning, the initiation and transformation, and the return home.

Act One: Departure (Steps 1—5)

The first act introduces the hero within the ordinary world, as they are—original and untransformed. The first act will typically include the first five steps of the Hero’s Journey.

This section allows the writer to set the stage with details that show who the hero is before their metamorphosis—what is the environment of the ordinary world? What’s important to the hero? Why do they first refuse the call, and then, why do they ultimately accept and embark on the journey to meet with the conflict?

This stage introduces the first major plot point of the story, explores the conflict the hero confronts, and provides the opportunity for characterization for the hero and their companions.

The end of the first act generally occurs when the hero has fully committed to the journey and crossed the threshold of the ordinary world—where there is no turning back.

Act Two: Initiation (Steps 6—9)

Once the hero begins their journey, the second act marks the beginning of their true initiation into the unfamiliar world—they have crossed the threshold, and through this choice, have undergone their first transformation.

The second act is generally the longest of the three and includes steps six through nine.

In this act, the hero meets most of the characters that will be pivotal to the plot, including friends, enemies, and allies. It offers the rising action and other minor plot points related to the overarching conflict. The hero will overcome various trials, grow and transform, and navigate subplots—the additional and unforeseen complexity of the conflict.

This act generally ends when the hero has risen to the challenge to overcome the ordeal and receives their reward. At the end of this act, it’s common for the theme and moral of the story to be fully unveiled.

Act Three: Return (Steps 10—12)

The final stage typically includes steps 10—12, generally beginning with the road back—the point in the story where the hero must recommit to the journey and use all of the growth, transformation, gifts and tools acquired along the journey to bring a decisive victory against their final conflict.

From this event, the hero will also be “reborn,” either literally or metaphorically, and then beginning anew as a self-actualized being, equipped with internal knowledge about themselves, external knowledge about the world, and experience.

At the end of the third act, the hero returns home to the ordinary world, bringing back the gifts they earned on their journey. In the final passages, both the hero and their perception of the ordinary world are compared with what they once were.

The 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey

The following guide outlines the 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey and represents a framework for the creation of a Hero’s Journey story template. You don’t necessarily need to follow the explicit cadence of these steps in your own writing, but they should act as checkpoints to the overall story.

We’ll also use JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a literary example for each of these steps. The Hobbit does an exemplary job of following the Hero’s Journey, and it’s also an example of how checkpoints can exist in more than one place in a story, or how they may deviate from the typical 12-step process of the Hero’s Journey.

1. The Ordinary World

This stage in the Hero’s Journey is all about exposition. This introduces the hero’s backstory—who the hero is, where they come from, their worldview, culture, and so on. This offers the reader a chance to relate to the character in their untransformed form.

As the story and character arc develop, the reader is brought along the journey of transformation. By starting at the beginning, a reader has a basic understanding of what drives the hero, so they can understand why the hero makes the choices they do. The ordinary world shows the protagonist in their comfort zone, with their worldview being limited to the perspective of their everyday life.

Characters in the ordinary world may or may not be fully comfortable or satisfied, but they don’t have a point of reference to compare—they have yet to leave the ordinary world to gain the knowledge to do so.

Step One example

The Hobbit begins by introducing Bilbo in the Shire as a respectable and well-to-do member of the community. His ordinary world is utopian and comfortable. Yet, even within a village that is largely uninterested in the concerns of the world outside, the reader is provided a backstory: even though Bilbo buys into the comforts and normalcy of the Shire, he still yearns for adventure—something his neighbors frown upon. This ordinary world of the Shire is disrupted with the introduction of Gandalf—the “mentor”—who is somewhat uncomfortably invited to tea.

2. Call to Adventure

The call to adventure in the Hero’s Journey structure is the initial internal conflict that the protagonist hero faces, that drives them to the true conflict that they must overcome by the end of their journey.

The call occurs within the known world of the character. Here the writer can build on the characterization of the protagonist by detailing how they respond to the initial call. Are they hesitant, eager, excited, refusing, or willing to take a risk?

Step Two example

Bilbo’s call to adventure takes place at tea as the dwarves leisurely enter his home, followed by Gandalf, who identifies Bilbo as the group’s missing element—the burglar, and the lucky 14th member.

Bilbo and his ordinary world are emphasized by his discomfort with his rambunctious and careless guests. Yet as the dwarves sing stories of old adventures, caverns, and lineages, which introduce and foreshadow the conflict to come, a yearning for adventure is stirred. Though he still clings to his ordinary world and his life in the Shire, he’s conflicted. Should he leave the shire and experience the world, or stay in his comfortable home? Bilbo continues to refuse the call, but with mixed feelings.

3. Refusal of the Call

The refusal of the call in the Hero’s Journey showcases a “clinging” to one’s original self or world view. The initial refusal of the call represents a fear of change, as well as a resistance to the internal transformation that will occur after the adventure has begun.

The refusal reveals the risks that the protagonist faces if they were to answer the call, and shows what they’ll leave behind in the ordinary world once they accept.

The refusal of the call creates tension in the story, and should show the personal reasons why the hero is refusing—inner conflict, fear of change, hesitation, insecurity, etc. This helps make their character clearer for the reader.

These are all emotions a reader can relate to, and in presenting them through the hero, the writer deepens the reader’s relationship with them and helps the reader sympathize with the hero’s internal plight as they take the first step of transformation.

Step Three example

Bilbo refuses the call in his first encounter with Gandalf, and in his reaction to the dwarves during tea. Even though Bilbo’s “Tookish” tendencies make him yearn for adventure, he goes to bed that night still refusing the call. The next morning, as Bilbo awakes to an empty and almost fully clean hobbit home, he feels a slight disappointment for not joining the party, but quickly soothes his concerns by enjoying the comfort of his home—i.e. the ordinary world. Bilbo explores his hesitation to disembark from the ordinary world, questioning why a hobbit would become mixed up in the adventures of others, and choosing not to meet the dwarves at the designated location.

4. Meeting the Mentor

Meeting the mentor in the Hero’s Journey is the stage that provides the hero protagonist with a guide, relationship, and/or informational asset that has experience outside the ordinary world. The mentor offers confidence, advice, wisdom, training, insight, tools, items, or gifts of supernatural wonder that the hero will use along the journey and in overcoming the ultimate conflict.

The mentor often represents someone who has attempted to overcome, or actually has overcome, an obstacle, and encourages the hero to pursue their calling, regardless of the hero’s weaknesses or insecurities. The mentor may also explicitly point out the hero’s weaknesses, forcing them to reckon with and accept them, which is the first step to their personal transformation.

Note that not all mentors need to be a character . They can also be objects or knowledge that has been instilled in the hero somehow—cultural ethics, spiritual guidance, training of a particular skill, a map, book, diary, or object that illuminates the path forward, etc. In essence, the mentor character or object has a role in offering the protagonist outside help and guidance along the Hero’s Journey, and plays a key role in the protagonist’s transition from normalcy to heroism.

The mentor figure also offers the writer the opportunity to incorporate new information by expanding upon the story, plot, or backstory in unique ways. They do this by giving the hero information that would otherwise be difficult for the writer to convey naturally.

The mentor may accompany the hero throughout most of the story, or they may only periodically be included to facilitate changes and transformation within them.

Step Four example

The mentor, Gandalf, is introduced almost immediately. Gandalf is shown to be the mentor, firstly through his arrival from—and wisdom of—the outside world; and secondly, through his selection of Bilbo for the dwarven party by identifying the unique characteristics Bilbo has that are essential to overcoming the challenges in the journey. Gandalf doesn’t accompany Bilbo and the company through all of the trials and tribulations of the plot, but he does play a key role in offering guidance and assistance, and saves the group in times of dire peril.

5. Crossing the Threshold

As the hero crosses the first threshold, they begin their personal quest toward self-transformation. Crossing the threshold means that the character has committed to the journey, and has stepped outside of the ordinary world in the pursuit of their goal. This typically marks the conclusion of the first act.

The threshold lies between the ordinary world and the special world, and marks the point of the story where the hero fully commits to the road ahead. It’s a crucial stage in the Hero’s Journey, as the hero wouldn’t be able to grow and transform by staying in the ordinary world where they’re comfortable and their world view can’t change.

The threshold isn’t necessarily a specific place within the world of the story, though a place can symbolize the threshold—for example a border, gateway, or crossroads that separate what is safe and “known” from what is potentially dangerous. It can also be a moment or experience that causes the hero to recognize that the comforts and routine of their world no longer apply—like the loss of someone or something close to the hero, for example. The purpose of the threshold is to take the hero out of their element and force them, and the reader, to adapt from the known to the unknown.

This moment is crucial to the story’s tension. It marks the first true shift in the character arc and the moment the adventure has truly begun. The threshold commonly forces the hero into a situation where there’s no turning back. This is sometimes called the initiation stage or the departure stage.

Step Five example

The threshold moment in The Hobbit occurs when the party experiences true danger as a group for the first time. Bilbo, voted as scout by the party and eager to prove his burglar abilities, sneaks upon a lone fire in the forest where he finds three large trolls. Rather than turn back empty-handed—as he initially wants to—Bilbo chooses to prove himself, plucking up the courage to pickpocket the trolls—but is caught in the process. The dwarves are also captured and fortunately, Gandalf, the mentor, comes to save the party.

Bilbo’s character arc is solidified in this threshold moment. He experiences his first transformation when he casts aside fear and seeks to prove himself as a burglar, and as an official member of the party. This moment also provides further characterization of the party as a whole, proving the loyalty of the group in seeking out their captured member.

Gandalf’s position as the mentor is also firmly established as he returns to ultimately save all of the members of the party from being eaten by trolls. The chapter ends with Bilbo taking ownership of his first hero talisman—the sword that will accompany him through the rest of the adventure.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

Once the hero has crossed the threshold, they must now encounter tests of courage, make allies, and inevitably confront enemies. All these elements force the hero to learn the new ways of the special world and how it differs from the hero’s ordinary world—i.e. how the rules have changed, the conditions of the special world vs. the ordinary world, and the various beings and places within it.

All these elements spark stages of transformation within the hero—learning who they can trust and who they can’t, learning new skills, seeking training from the mentor, and overcoming challenges that force and drive them to grow and transform.

The hero may both succeed and fail at various points of this stage, which will test their commitment to the journey. The writer can create tension by making it clear that the hero may or may not succeed at the critical moment of crisis. These crises can be external or internal.

External conflicts are issues that the character must face and overcome within the plot—e.g. the enemy has a sword drawn and the hero must fight to survive.

Internal conflicts occur inside the hero. For example, the hero has reached safety, but their ally is in peril; will they step outside their comfort zone and rise to the occasion and save their friend? Or will they return home to their old life and the safety of the ordinary world?

Tests are conflicts and threats that the hero must face before they reach the true conflict, or ordeal, of the story. These tests set the stage and prime the hero to meet and achieve the ultimate goal. They provide the writer the opportunity to further the character development of the hero through their actions, inactions, and reactions to what they encounter. The various challenges they face will teach them valuable lessons, as well as keep the story compelling and the reader engaged.

Allies represent the characters that offer support to the protagonist along the journey. Some allies may be introduced from the beginning, while others may be gained along the journey. Secondary characters and allies provide additional nuance for the hero, through interactions, events, and relationships that further show who the hero is at heart, what they believe in, and what they’re willing to fight for. The role of the allies is to bring hope, inspiration, and further drive the hero to do what needs to be done.

Enemies represent a foil to the allies. While allies bring hope and inspiration, enemies will provide challenges, conflicts, tests, and challenges. Both allies and enemies may instigate transformative growth, but enemies do so in a way that fosters conflict and struggle.

Characterization of enemies can also enhance the development of the hero through how they interact and the lessons learned through those interactions. Is the hero easily duped, forgiving, empathetic, merciful? Do they hold a grudge and seek revenge? Who is the hero now that they have been harmed, faced an enemy, and lost pieces of their innocent worldview? To answer that, the hero is still transforming and gestating with every lesson, test, and enemy faced along the way.

Step Six example

As the plot of The Hobbit carries on, Bilbo encounters many tests, allies, and enemies that all drive complexity in the story. A few examples include:

The first major obstacle that Bilbo faces occurs within the dark and damp cave hidden in the goblin town. All alone, Bilbo must pluck up the wit and courage to outriddle a creature named Gollum. In doing so, Bilbo discovers the secret power of a golden ring (another hero talisman) that will aid him and the party through the rest of the journey.

The elves encountered after Bilbo “crosses the threshold” are presented as allies in the story. The hero receives gifts of food, a safe place to rest, and insight and guidance that allows the party to continue on their journey. While the party doesn’t dwell long with the elves, the elves also provide further character development for the party at large: the serious dwarf personalities are juxtaposed against the playful elvish ones, and the elves offer valuable historical insight with backstory to the weapons the party gathered from the troll encounter.

Goblins are a recurring enemy within the story that the hero and party must continue to face, fight, and run from. The goblins present consistent challenges that force Bilbo to face fear and learn and adapt, not only to survive but to save his friends.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

The approach to the inmost cave of the Hero’s Journey is the tense quiet before the storm; it’s the part of the story right before the hero faces their greatest fear, and it can be positioned in a few different ways. By now, the hero has overcome obstacles, setbacks, and tests, gained and lost allies and enemies, and has transformed in some way from the original protagonist first introduced in the ordinary world.

The moment when the hero approaches the inmost cave can be a moment of reflection, reorganization, and rekindling of morale. It presents an opportunity for the main characters of the story to come together in a moment of empathy for losses along the journey; a moment of planning and plotting next steps; an opportunity for the mentor to teach a final lesson to the hero; or a moment for the hero to sit quietly and reflect upon surmounting the challenge they have been journeying toward for the length of their adventure.

The “cave” may or may not be a physical place where the ultimate ordeal and conflict will occur. The approach represents the momentary period where the hero assumes their final preparation for the overall challenge that must be overcome. It’s a time for the hero and their allies, as well as the reader, to pause and reflect on the events of the story that have already occurred, and to consider the internal and external growth and transformation of the hero.

Having gained physical and/or emotional strength and fortitude through their trials and tests, learned more rules about the special world, found and lost allies and friends, is the hero prepared to face danger and their ultimate foe? Reflection, tension, and anticipation are the key elements of crafting the approach to the cave.

Step Seven example

The approach to the cave in The Hobbit occurs as the party enters the tunnel of the Lonely Mountain. The tunnel is the access point to the ultimate goal—Thorin’s familial treasure, as well as the ultimate test—the formidable dragon Smaug. During this part of the story, the party must hide, plot, and plan their approach to the final conflict. It’s at this time that Bilbo realizes he must go alone to scout out and face the dragon.

8. The Ordeal

The ordeal is the foreshadowed conflict that the hero must face, and represents the midpoint of the story. While the ordeal is the ultimate conflict that the hero knows they must overcome, it’s a false climax to the complete story—there’s still much ground to cover in the journey, and the hero will still be tested after completing this, the greatest challenge. In writing the ordeal phase of the Hero’s Journey, the writer should craft this as if it actually were the climax to the tale, even though it isn’t.

The first act, and the beginning of the second act, have built up to the ordeal with characterization and the transformation of the hero through their overcoming tests and trials. This growth—both internal and external—has all occurred to set the hero up to handle this major ordeal.

As this stage commences, the hero is typically faced with fresh challenges to make the ordeal even more difficult than they previously conceived. This may include additional setbacks for the hero, the hero’s realization that they were misinformed about the gravity of the situation, or additional conflicts that make the ordeal seem insurmountable.

These setbacks cause the hero to confront their greatest fears and build tension for both the hero and the reader, as they both question if the hero will ultimately succeed or fail. In an epic fantasy tale, this may mean a life-or-death moment for the hero, or experiencing death through the loss of an important ally or the mentor. In a romance, it may be the moment of crisis where a relationship ends or a partner reveals their dark side or true self, causing the hero great strife.

This is the rock-bottom moment for the hero, where they lose hope, courage, and faith. At this point, even though the hero has already crossed the threshold, this part of the story shows how the hero has changed in such a way that they can never return to their original self: even if they return to the ordinary world, they’ll never be the same; their perception of the world has been modified forever.

Choosing to endure against all odds and costs to face the ordeal represents the loss of the hero’s original self from the ordinary world, and a huge internal transformation occurs within the hero as they must rise and continue forth to complete their journey and do what they set out to do from the beginning.

The ordeal may also be positioned as an introduction to the greater villain through a trial with a shadow villain, where the hero realizes that the greatest conflict is unveiled as something else, still yet to come. In these instances, the hero may fail, or barely succeed, but must learn a crucial lesson and be metaphorically resurrected through their failure to rise again and overcome the greater challenge.

Step Eight example

Bilbo must now face his ultimate challenge: burgle the treasure from the dragon. This is the challenge that was set forth from the beginning, as it’s his purpose as the party’s 14th member, the burglar, anointed by Gandalf, the mentor. Additional conflicts arise as Bilbo realizes that he must face the dragon alone, and in doing so, must rely on all of the skills and gifts in the form of talismans and tokens he has gained throughout the adventure.

During the ordeal, Bilbo uses the courage he has gained by surmounting the story’s previous trials; he’s bolstered by his loyalty to the group and relies upon the skills and tools he has earned in previous trials. Much as he outwitted Gollum in the cave, Bilbo now uses his wit as well as his magical ring to defeat Smaug in a game of riddles, which ultimately leads Smaug out of the lair so that Bilbo can complete what he was set out to do—steal the treasure.

The reward of the Hero’s Journey is a moment of triumph, celebration, or change as the hero achieves their first major victory. This is a moment of reflection for both the reader and the hero, to take a breath to contemplate and acknowledge the growth, development, and transformation that has occurred so far.

The reward is the boon that the hero learns, is granted, or steals, that will be crucial to facing the true climax of the story that is yet to come. The reward may be a physical object, special knowledge, or reconciliation of some sort, but it’s always a thing that allows for some form of celebration or replenishment and provides the drive to succeed before the journey continues.

Note that the reward may not always be overtly positive—it may also be a double-edged sword that could harm them physically or spiritually. This type of reward typically triggers yet another internal transformation within the hero, one that grants them the knowledge and personal drive to complete the journey and face their remaining challenges.

From the reward, the hero is no longer externally driven to complete the journey, but has evolved to take on the onus of doing so.

Examples of rewards may include:

A weapon, elixir, or object that will be necessary to complete the quest.

Special knowledge, or a personal transformation to use against a foe.

An eye-opening experience that provides deep insight and fundamentally changes the hero and their position within the story and world.

Reconciliation with another character, or with themselves.

No matter what the reward is, the hero should experience some emotional or spiritual revelation and a semblance of inner peace or personal resolve to continue the journey. Even if the reward is not overtly positive, the hero and the reader deserve a moment of celebration for facing the great challenge they set out to overcome.

Step Nine example

Bilbo defeats the dragon at a battle of wits and riddles, and now receives his reward. He keeps the gifts he has earned, both the dagger and the gold ring. He is also granted his slice of the treasure, and the Lonely Mountain is returned to Thorin. The party at large is rewarded for completing the quest and challenge they set out to do.

However, Tolkien writes the reward to be more complex than it first appears. The party remains trapped and hungry within the Mountain as events unfold outside of it. Laketown has been attacked by Smaug, and the defenders will want compensation for the damage to their homes and for their having to kill the dragon. Bilbo discovers, and then hides, the Arkenstone (a symbolic double edged reward) to protect it from Thorin’s selfishness and greed.

10. The Road Back

The road back in the Hero’s Journey is the beginning of the third act, and represents a turning point within the story. The hero must recommit to the journey, alongside the new stakes and challenges that have arisen from the completion of the original goal.

The road back presents roadblocks—new and unforeseen challenges to the hero that they must now face on their journey back to the ordinary world. The trials aren’t over yet, and the stakes are raised just enough to keep the story compelling before the final and ultimate conflict—the hero’s resurrection—is revealed in the middle of the third act.

The hero has overcome their greatest challenge in the Ordeal and they aren’t the same person they were when they started. This stage of the story often sees the hero making a choice, or reflecting on their transformed state compared to their state at the start of the journey.

The writer’s purpose in the third act is not to eclipse the upcoming and final conflict, but to up the stakes, show the true risk of the final climax, and to reflect on what it will take for the hero to ultimately prevail. The road back should offer a glimmer of hope—the light at the end of the tunnel—and should let the reader know the dramatic finale is about to arrive.

Step Ten example

What was once a journey to steal treasure and slay a dragon has developed new complications. Our hero, Bilbo, must now use all of the powers granted in his personal transformation, as well as the gifts and rewards he earned on the quest, to complete the final stages of the journey.

This is the crisis moment of The Hobbit ; the armies of Laketown are prepared for battle to claim their reward for killing Smaug; the fearless leader of their party, Thorin, has lost reason and succumbed to greed; and Bilbo makes a crucial choice based his personal growth: he gives the Arkenstone to the king as a bargaining chip for peace. Bilbo also briefly reconnects with the mentor, Gandalf, who warns him of the unpleasant times ahead, but comforts Bilbo by saying that things may yet turn out for the best. Bilbo then loyally returns to his friends, the party of dwarves, to stand alongside them in the final battle.

11. Resurrection

The resurrection stage of the Hero’s Journey is the final climax of the story, and the heart of the third act. By now the hero has experienced internal and external transformation and a loss of innocence, coming out with newfound knowledge. They’re fully rooted in the special world, know its rules, and have made choices that underline this new understanding.

The hero must now overcome the final crisis of their external quest. In an epic fantasy tale, this may be the last battle of light versus darkness, good versus evil, a cumulation of fabulous forces. In a thriller, the hero might ultimately face their own morality as they approach the killer. In a drama or romance, the final and pivotal encounter in a relationship occurs and the hero puts their morality ahead of their immediate desires.

The stakes are the highest they’ve ever been, and the hero must often choose to make a sacrifice. The sacrifice may occur as a metaphoric or symbolic death of the self in some way; letting go of a relationship, title, or mental/emotional image of the self that a hero once used as a critical aspect of their identity, or perhaps even a metaphoric physical death—getting knocked out or incapacitated, losing a limb, etc.

Through whatever the great sacrifice is, be it loss or a metaphoric death, the hero will experience a form of resurrection, purification, or internal cleansing that is their final internal transformation.

In this stage, the hero’s character arc comes to an end, and balance is restored to the world. The theme of the story is fully fleshed out and the hero, having reached some form of self-actualization, is forever changed. Both the reader and the hero experience catharsis—the relief, insight, peace, closure, and purging of fear that had once held the hero back from their final transformation.

Step Eleven example

All the armies have gathered, and the final battle takes place. Just before the battle commences, Bilbo tells Thorin that it was he who gave the Arkenstone to the city of men and offers to sacrifice his reward of gold for taking the stone. Gandalf, the mentor, arrives, standing beside Bilbo and his decision. Bilbo is shunned by Thorin and is asked to leave the party for his betrayal.

Bilbo experiences a symbolic death when he’s knocked out by a stone. Upon awakening, Bilbo is brought to a dying Thorin, who forgives him of his betrayal, and acknowledges that Bilbo’s actions were truly the right thing to do. The theme of the story is fully unveiled: that bravery and courage comes in all sizes and forms, and that greed and gold are less worthy than a life rich in experiences and relationships.

12. Return with the Elixir

The elixir in the Hero’s Journey is the final reward the hero brings with them on their return, bridging their two worlds. It’s a reward hard earned through the various relationships, tests, and growth the hero has experienced along their journey. The “elixir” can be a magical potion, treasure, or object, but it can also be intangible—love, wisdom, knowledge, or experience.

The return is key to the circular nature of the Hero’s Journey. It offers a resolution to both the reader and the hero, and a comparison of their growth from when the journey began.

Without the return, the story would have a linear nature, a beginning and an end. In bringing the self-actualized hero home to the ordinary world, the character arc is completed, and the changes they’ve undergone through the journey are solidified. They’ve overcome the unknown, and though they’re returning home, they can no longer resume their old life because of their new insight and experiences.

Step Twelve example

The small yet mighty hero Bilbo is accompanied on his journey home by his mentor Gandalf, as well as the allies he gathered along his journey. He returns with many rewards—his dagger, his golden ring, and his 1/14th split of the treasure—yet his greatest rewards are his experience and the friends he has made along the way. Upon entering the Shire Bilbo sings a song of adventure, and the mentor Gandalf remarks, “My dear Bilbo! Something is the matter with you, you are not the hobbit you were.”

The final pages of The Hobbit explore Bilbo’s new self in the Shire, and how the community now sees him as a changed hobbit—no longer quite as respectable as he once was, with odd guests who visit from time to time. Bilbo also composes his story “There and Back Again,” a tale of his experiences, underlining his greatest reward—stepping outside of the Shire and into the unknown, then returning home, a changed hobbit.

Books that follow the Hero’s Journey

One of the best ways to become familiar with the plot structure of the Hero’s Journey is to read stories and books that successfully use it to tell a powerful tale. Maybe they’ll inspire you to use the hero’s journey in your own writing!

The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien.

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

The Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The Odyssey by Homer.

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Writing tips for the Hero’s Journey

Writing a Hero’s Journey story often requires planning beforehand to organize the plot, structure, and events of the story. Here are some tips to use the hero’s journey archetype in a story:

Use a template or note cards to organize and store your ideas. This can assist in ensuring that you tie up any loose ends in the plot, and that the cadence of your story is already outlined before you begin writing.

Use word count goals for writing different sections of your story. This can help you keep pace while you plan and write the first draft. You can always revise, edit, and add in detail at later stages of development, but getting the ideas written without bogging them down with details can assist in preparing your outline, and may perhaps provide additional inspiration and guidance along the way.

Lean into creativity and be flexible with the 12 steps. They don’t need to occur in the exact order we’ve listed above, but that ordering can offer great checkpoint moments for your story.

Invest in characterization and ensure that your main character is balanced with credible strengths and weaknesses. A perfect, pure hero has no room to grow. A one-dimensional villain who relies on the trope of “pure evil” without any motivations for their actions is boring and predictable.

Ensure tension and urgency is woven into the story. An epic tale to the grocery store for baby formula may still be fraught with danger, and the price of failure is a hungry child. Without urgency, tension, and risk, a Hero’s Journey will fall flat.

Be hard on your characters. Give them deep conflicts that truly test their nature, and their mental, physical, and spiritual selves. An easy journey isn’t a memorable one.

Have a balance of scenes that play on both positive and negative emotions and outcomes for the hero to create a compelling plot line that continues to engage your reader. A story that’s relentlessly positive doesn’t provide a pathway for the hero to transform. Likewise, a story that’s nothing but doom, strife, and turmoil, without a light at the end of the tunnel or an opportunity for growth, can make a story feel stagnant and unengaging.

Reward your characters and your reader. Personal transformation and the road to the authentic self may be grueling, but there’s peace or joy at the end of the tunnel. Even if your character doesn’t fully saved the world, they—and the reader—should be rewarded with catharsis, a new perspective, or personal insight at the end of the tale.

Hero’s Journey templates

Download these free templates to help you plan out your Hero’s Journey:

Download the Hero’s Journey template template (docx) Download the Hero’s Journey template template (pdf)

Prompts and practices to help you write your own Hero’s Journey

Use the downloadable template listed below for the following exercises:

Read a book or watch a movie that follows the Hero’s Journey. Use the template to fill in when each step occurs or is completed. Make note of themes and symbols, character arcs, the main plot, and the subplots that drive complexity in the story.

When writing, use a timer set to 2—5 minutes per section to facilitate bursts of creativity. Brainstorm ideas for cadence, plot, and characters within the story. The outline you create can always be modified, but the timer ensures you can get ideas on paper without a commitment; you’re simply jotting down ideas as quickly as you can.

Use the downloadable template above to generate outlines based on the following prompts.

A woman’s estranged mother has died. A friend of the mother arrives at the woman’s home to tell her that her mother has left all her belongings to her daughter, and hands her a letter. The letter details the mother’s life, and the daughter must visit certain places and people to find her mother’s house and all the belongings in it—learning more about her mother’s life, and herself, along the way.

The last tree on earth has fallen, and technology can no longer sustain human life on Earth. An engineer, having long ago received alien radio signals from a tower in their backyard, has dedicated their life to building a spaceship in their garage. The time has come to launch, and the engineer must select a group of allies to bring with them to the stars, on a search for a new life, a new home, and “the others” out there in the universe.

A detective is given a new case: to find a much-talked-about murderer. The twist is, the murderer has sent a letter to the detective agency, quietly outing a homicidal politician who is up for re-election and is a major financial contributor to the police. In the letter, the murderer states that if the politician doesn’t come clean about their crimes, the murderer will kill the politician on the night of the election. The detective must solve the case before the election, and come to terms with their own feelings of justice and morality.

Get feedback on your writing today!

Scribophile is a community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. Meet beta readers, get feedback on your writing, and become a better writer!

Join now for free

Related articles

Myth in Literature: Definition, and Using Myths to Explore New Ideas

What Are Jungian Archetypes, and How They Can Help Develop Your Characters

What is Plot? Definition, Examples & 10+ Types of Story Plots

The Five-Act Structure: The Foundation of an Engaging Story

Story Archetypes: 50+ Plot Archetypes to Craft Your Narrative

Worldbuilding: The Ultimate Guide (Plus a Template!)

• Essay Guides
• Other Essays

Hero Essay: Who Is Hero and How to Write About Heros

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Main Academic Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Research Paper Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

If you are writing a hero essay, you have to describe a particular person who did something great. This can be a story about brave heroes of the World War II that were fighting with an enemy to save other people. You may write about a smart scientist who invented something significant to simplify our life. Maybe you even have your own hero? Your main task here is to write about personal qualities to explain to your readers why this certain person is a great hero. It's important to find strong words to describe this particular man or woman, there are a lot of things to write about. This type of paper requires good skills in writing and a lot of time. We have created this detailed instruction to help people in writing a strong hero essay. Read all pages of our article, it will help to figure out how to make a successful story that will attract many readers. Follow our simple hints, don't forget to plan your time beforehand! In case you lack time or ideas, remember that StudyCrumb can help you with any academic essay. Just say " Write my essay cheap " and our professionals will create a wonderful paper on any topic. 

4 Steps of Creating a Brilliant Story About Your Hero

These are the main steps that will help people to make a good essay.

• Brainstorm your ideas to choose your hero. You are free to write about anyone: from a heroic person that saves people and their lives to a fictional character from a cartoon for children. The most important thing is to mention the qualities of the chosen person to show your readers their power and strength. Find a character analysis example to base on.
• Make a clear outline for your future work. You may think it's not necessary to do it at all, but creating an outline is an important step in writing; if you are traveling in the unknown place, you definitely have a map, don't you? The same is with creating your paper. An outline is your map to guide you through the process of writing, that's why you shouldn't neglect this step.
• Write a draft of your essay. Here everything is simple: just follow your outline, don't try to pay attention to grammar and punctuation. You will have a chance to fix all errors later. Try to be concentrated on your writing.
• Revise your hero essay to correct all mistakes and misprints. We suggest taking some time for rest after you have finished your paper and then start editing your work. It's more effective to check the paper with refreshed eyes. We suggest using various online programs to run online spell check and correct grammar mistakes.

How to Make a Good Outline for My Hero Essay?

As we already mentioned, an essay outline is an important part of writing your story about heroes; here is how you should build it:

• Introduction Here it's important to introduce your hero to readers: explain why this person is very important to you. Don't forget to provide your audience with a short background.
• The main part Here you should describe all qualities and characteristics of your hero to people. Provide heroic acts in details, don't forget about examples to support your argument. For instance, don't just write that a person was very brave. Provide a story that will prove it: tell your readers how your courage and character saved someone's life or did something significant for others.
• Conclusion This is a part of your paper where you have to rephrase the main idea of your writing to finish your essay logically. Don't make it too big, never try to put anything new here. A good ending should be a short accord in your work.

Ideas for Writing an Interesting Paper About a Hero

If you feel stuck with your writing, we have a bunch of interesting ideas you can choose from:

• Make a story about a real hero from books or newspapers. This can be an essay about a brave soldier who fought in the war, this may be a work about a fireman with courage who saved a lot of people and children from fire.
• Write about a fictional hero. Many people read a lot of stories about Superman or Batman - they are big heroes. It's possible to create a bright and interesting paper about such characters. Keep in mind you should describe their feats and achievement and explain to your readers why they have to admire them.
• Famous people : actors, politicians, scientists, etc. can be your heroes easily. You can make an exciting story about a movie star; it's possible to write about a great scientist you admire a lot. Maybe you even have figured out your future profession thanks to these people? This is a great idea to create your hero story about!
• Sometimes even ordinary people can become heroes. Maybe your best friend saved a little puppy fighting with a couple of angry dogs? Your uncle seems to be a brave hero because he is a zoologist who fights with poachers to make this world better? Feel free to write about such heroes too. They are very important for all us.

5 Tips to Create a Perfect and Bright Work About a Hero

Follow these effective hints to write an exciting hero paper and get a high grade:

• Write about someone your audience doesn't expect to hear. When people hear a word "hero", they have brave knights with courage in their mind. Try to catch people attention with a story about a homeless man who saved a kitten from cars or about a neighbor's son who helps the old people of your district (buys food for them every day).
• Usually, people expect reading from hero essays about such qualities as bravery, fame, and courage. It's possible to make an exciting story about a character who is very kind or extremely optimistic even in a bad situation. Surprise your readers with something they don't expect! This is a very effective thing when you're making a hero essay.
• Think out of the box - feel free to write about anything that comes to your mind. Keep in mind that you should support your argument with examples. Describe actions, not just how the chosen person looks! A huge smile plus nice face cannot convince readers you are writing about a kind character. If you will mention that a young man helped old woman to cross the street, then it proves this is an act of kindness.
• Whether you're making a story about a real person or write about a hero from cartoons, movies, or comics, write about the facts you are familiar with. There is no reason to use your fantasy, trying to provide readers with a fairy tale.
• Make a bright introduction to grab the attention of your readers. People won't read a boring story, your main task here is to motivate them to read the entire work. There are several ways of creating an interesting beginning. Try to start your essay with a quote, put a question, or provide the audience with an anecdote. Just try to be non-ordinary to write a creative essay !

Why Is It Important to Read Hero Essay Examples?

Needless to say, it's quite useful to read hero essay examples to create your own interesting story. Reading helps to refine writing skills, we suggest searching for essay samples, no matter what kind of paper you're working on. Here we want to share our successful sample of an interesting hero essay that may be helpful to read:  

My dad is a great hero to me. Even if he doesn't do anything special in his everyday job, I admire him a lot. He is a lawyer who helps to make equitable justice. My dad taught me that it's quite important to be an honest person. My dad is a great hero to me. Even if he doesn't do anything special in his everyday job, I admire him a lot. He is a lawyer who helps to make equitable justice. My dad taught me that it's quite important to be an honest person. At the start, that cruel man tried to defame my father's client - he wanted to make him guilty in everything; my dad already had evidence against the man so he suggested him staying quiet. It didn't work, the next day someone offered my father a bribe. I can't write the sum here - this money would be enough for all us to live without working anymore. In addition, my mother was fighting cancer, we needed a lot of money. My father didn't accept that: he rejected the deal and he found a man who offered a bribe. Nowadays, that man with his sly partner are in jail. The father's client was acquitted in the court from a criminal charge. I already have chosen my future profession - I want to be a lawyer like my dad. I admire this person because he is a strong hero for me because he is the most honest man I know.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

You may also like

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Fiction Writing

How to Write a Story About a Hero

Last Updated: December 15, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Grant Faulkner, MA . Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of 100 Word Story, a literary magazine. Grant has published two books on writing and has been published in The New York Times and Writer’s Digest. He co-hosts Write-minded, a weekly podcast on writing and publishing, and has a M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.  There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 155,086 times.

Whether you want to write a story about a super hero , an epic hero, or some other type of hero, you can write an engaging character with a little time and effort. Develop a hero character by incorporating specific traits and considering your hero's goals. Then, arrange your story according to the Hero's Journey format developed by Christopher Vogler. This will help to ensure that your hero is likable and that your hero's story engages your readers.

Developing Your Hero

• For example, perhaps your hero has to find a special resource that will allow them to repair a machine that cleans all of the water for their village. Or, perhaps someone the hero loves has been kidnapped and they need to seek out and fight the villain who took this person from them.

• For example, your hero might be the son of a blacksmith who is skilled at sword fighting, but incredibly humble about their abilities and unwilling to enter competitions.
• Or, your hero might be a beautiful young princess who prefers blue jeans to ball gowns and who isn't above working alongside her own staff when there's a crisis.

• For example, your hero might be clumsy, gullible, hot-tempered, or impatient.

Tip : Try to avoid giving your hero flaws that might make them seem evil. For example, don't portray your hero's flaw as making fun of other people or being physically abusive to someone. This will make them seem more like a villain than a hero.

• For example, perhaps your hero needs to gain self-confidence and overcome a fear of public speaking. To give them practice, they might have a couple of opportunities where they will have to get the attention of a small crowd or a room full of people. This could be leading up to a scene where they have to speak in front of thousands of people to achieve their objective.

Organizing the Hero's Journey

• For example, the ordinary world in Toy Story is Andy's bedroom when the toys are alone and come to life. Woody serves as Andy's toy when Andy wants to play with him, and Woody also conducts toy meetings when Andy is not around. [8] X Research source

Tip : You don't need to include every single component of the Hero's Journey to create a solid story, and you can also include the elements in a different order if that makes more sense for your story.

• The conflict or call to adventure in Toy Story is when Woody is replaced by Buzz Lightyear. Woody feels rejected and his visible hurt feelings add to his likeability, but he is also very jealous of all of the attention Buzz is getting. Woody's jealousy is one of his flaws. [10] X Research source

• In Toy Story , Woody refuses the call to adventure by denying that Buzz is Andy's new favorite toy. He also denies his own feelings and that he is jealous of Buzz. Woody's fear of no longer being the favorite is what drives him to deny what is actually happening. [12] X Research source

• In Toy Story , Woody's mentor is Buzz. Even though Buzz is new to Woody's world, he has different abilities than Woody does. Woody learns new things from Buzz while they are in the outside world.
• Another good example of a hero's guide or mentor in a story is Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. He teaches Luke the ways of the Jedi so that Luke can go on his adventure. [14] X Research source

• For example, in Toy Story , Woody is forced to go on his adventure after Buzz falls out the window. Buzz falling out the window and Woody encountering him in the car after that happens is when they are over the threshold. [16] X Research source

• For example, in Toy Story , Woody and Buzz are tested when they have to work together to find Andy in the arcade. In the arcade, they also meet some new friends, such as the aliens in the claw machine. They also face off with an enemy: Sid, the kid next door who tortures toys. [18] X Research source

• For example, in Toy Story , Woody and Buzz end up in Sid's bedroom and Woody can see his home from where they are. However, the other toys are still leery of him and he cannot return home until he lets go of his jealousy and works with Buzz to get back.

• This is a great opportunity to show how your hero has grown through their adventures. [19] X Research source For example, your hero might demonstrate a skill that their mentor tried to teach them, but they struggled to master until this moment.
• In the example of Toy Story , Woody's greatest challenge is teaming up with Buzz and the other toys in Sid's room to stop Sid from hurting any more toys. They come up with a plan together and work as a team to scare off Sid. [20] X Research source

• For example, in Toy Story , Woody and Buzz escape from Sid's home and Woody has overcome his jealousy of Buzz. They've developed a meaningful friendship as a result of their adventures.

• For example, in Toy Story , Woody's final test is when he has to trust in Buzz and accept his help to get back to Andy. Buzz uses his special skills to get them to the car, and Woody shows that he is no longer jealous of Buzz. He is amazed by him and gladly accepts his help. [21] X Research source

• For example, Woody compliments Buzz rather than poking fun at him showing that he has grown from the beginning of the story when he was jealous of Buzz and picking fights with him.
• In some stories, such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , the hero actually dies temporarily. Harry Potter dies, has a vision or visits a place between life and death, and then he is resurrected with new strength to defeat Lord Voldemort.

• For example, in Toy Story , the new normal is much like the beginning of the story. However, instead of Woody running the toy meeting on his own, he is co-running it with Buzz. This shows that their friendship is still intact and that there is peace and harmony in Andy's room.

Community Q&A

• Outline your story and use your outline as a guide when you draft your story. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Grant Faulkner, MA. Professional Writer. Expert Interview. 8 January 2019.
• ↑ http://inkandquills.com/2015/12/24/writing-101-creating-a-successful-hero-and-villain/
• ↑ https://jerryjenkins.com/character-development/
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=59
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=73
• ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/sandy.jordan/sandy.jordan/the-heros-journey
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=95
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=115
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=135
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=154
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=195
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMSfhWLpnc&feature=youtu.be&t=219

About This Article

You can write a story about a hero by creating a hero with specific traits and goals that they must accomplish. Start by identifying who your hero is and what they want so their driving motivation is clearly defined. Then, add traits that will make your hero more likable and interesting. For instance, you could make your hero a humble farmer who develops the ability to move things with his mind. Introduce the world your hero lives in so you can set the scene. Include an initial conflict or call to action that your hero is hesitant to respond to. As your hero goes on their journey, they’ll have tests and challenges to overcome before they’re able to make it back home. For tips about how to use freewriting to develop a story about a hero, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Damilola Olumide-Attah

Jul 24, 2019

Did this article help you?

Sarah Longwood

Mar 8, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Growth and Development — How My Future Self Is My Hero

How My Future Self is My Hero

• Categories: About Myself Personal Growth and Development Personality

About this sample

Words: 1184 |

Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 1184 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Works Cited

• Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper Perennial.
• Duckworth, A. L. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Ballantine Books.
• Gawande, A. (2014). Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Metropolitan Books.
• Gilbert, D. (2006). Stumbling on Happiness. Vintage.
• Grant, A. (2016). Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World. Viking.
• Groeschel, C. (2018). Dare to Drop the Pose: Ten Things Christians Think but Are Afraid to Say. Zondervan.
• Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Portfolio.
• Tolle, E. (2004). The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. New World Library.
• Vanderkam, L. (2016). 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. Portfolio.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 595 words

1 pages / 621 words

3 pages / 1206 words

5 pages / 2232 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Personal Growth and Development

Help.open.ac.uk. (2019). Friends and family: When study gets difficult - Help Centre - Open University. Available at: Jou

Participating in an externship is a pivotal moment in one's academic and professional journey. In this essay, I will delve into my own externship experience, highlighting its significance in my growth and development. Through my [...]

Kohlberg, Lawrence. 'The Philosophy of Moral Development: Moral Stages and the Idea of Justice.' Harper & Row, 1981.Rest, James R. 'Development in Judging Moral Issues.' University of Minnesota, 1979.Turiel, Elliot. 'The [...]

In the pursuit of personal development, there exists a powerful yet paradoxical notion: getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. This essay delves into the concept of stepping out of one's comfort zone and the [...]

Going Back To School: A Journey of Personal Growth and Academic AdvancementAs the summer sun begins to wane and the days grow shorter, a certain restlessness settles in the hearts of many individuals. This restlessness is not [...]

Dealing with an abusive father, vicious dogs, being chased by a crowd of angry southerners are among the many obstacles Huck Finn faces in his journey to personal salvation, but more explicitly, the saving of his friend Jim. [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Scientific essays
• Narrative essay solutions
• Illustration essay ideas
• Getting help with fresh essay topics
• Choosing a movie subject
• High school essay tips: choosing topics
• Literature essay solutions
• Topics for your analytical paper
• Descriptive essay topics
• American & Spaghetti Westerns essay
• Descriptive paper topic suggestions
• A successful person paper ideas
• Creating informative paper topics
• Argumentative paper subjects on Hamlet
• 9th grade argumentative paper ideas
• Persuasive paper topic suggestions
• Choosing essay topics
• Vegeterianism argumentative essay ideas
• Narrative essay topics about your hero
• Middle School expository paper topics
• Argumentative essay topics in History
• Leonardo Da Vinci paper topic ideas
• Essay topics on Filipino traditions
• Narrative essay topic suggestions
• Writing an essay plan
• Topic sentence and a plan: writing hints
• Are you in need of an essay writer?
• Essay example on social justice
• How to engage a good writer
• Sample essay on problem solution
• Expert advice on essay writing
• Essay sample on political documents
• Acing in writing essays
• Online writing ideas for your essay
• Writing a strong essay outline
• The Ebola virus: sample essay
• Essay example on Archibald S. Aslop
• Chinese Americans paper sample
• Information: paper sample
• Paper samples: places to check
• Definition essay writing rules
• Obesity essay templates
• Western civilization paper sample
• Exploratory paper on divorce writing tips
• Leadership style essay example
• Finding cheap paper samples
• Getting reliable custom paper for cheap
• Quality paper writing asisstance
• Cheap academic paper writing help
• Flooding essay template
• Completing a first-person narrative essay
• Sample essay on issues in autism

Essay Writing Guides

• Sample essay about genes
• A proper structure of an article
• High school essay writing prompts
• How to choose a professional company
• 13 strong subjects for your essay
• Criticizing literature correctly
• Hiring a qualified writer
• Essay example on marijuana in medicine
• Financial strategies essay sample
• Introduction is like your essay's face
• Getting the point in cause&effect essays
• Pros and cons of junk food: sample essay
• Analysis paper crafting
• Social media bullying essay sample
• Easy definition essay topics
• Topics for a philosofy essay paper
• Effective informative paper topics
• Starting to write a personal narrative
• Excelling in writing an essay outline
• Middle school paper subjects
• Tips for cause&effect essay crafting
• Boosting reflective essay writing skills
• Problem solution essay on car accident
• A good topic sentence for your narrative
• Completing a MLA essay
• Using custom paper writing assistance
• Working on your reflection essay
• Cheap paper writing assistance
• 10 points for crafting a better paper
• High school literary response essay

Online Assistance

10 interesting ideas for a narrative essay about your hero.

A great narrative paper screams read me! If you are assigned to write an essay about your hero, then make sure to consider these ten interesting ideas for a narrative essay, so your essay will scream read me!

• A Time of Failure

Everyone has a time that they have failed in life. Therefore, when planning your homework on your hero, think find a time that they failed, but do not leave it there. Instead, write a dissertation on the lessons learned.

• An Encounter that Changed the Hero’s Life

When writing your term paper, see if you can find a time when your hero had a life changing encounter. Perhaps, it was a chance meeting with another person or reading a thesis that may have been written by a freelance ghostwriter.

• A Time the Hero Made a Difficult Decision

The defining moment for many heroes is when they make a difficult decision. Locate this moment and write a term paper about it.

• A Time a Hero Took an Important Stand

Consider when the hero took an important stand on an issue. When looking for a theme for your thesis, see if you can locate such a time in your heroes life.

• An Experience that Altered The Hero Forever

Heroes are often formed when they are put in situations that alter his or her life forever. Some of these might include:

• Rescuing someone from a fire
• Saving a person who is drowning
• Are diagnosed with a deadly illness
• Become disabled
• The Moment The Hero Decided to Change Their Life

Heroes often make a decision to overcome an obstacle in their lives. This makes a great topic for a narrative term paper when doing your homework.

• An Experience that Helped the Hero Grow

Sometimes heroes have an experience helping them grow. Consider these topics when writing your dissertation for a thesis that screams read me!

• An Important Discovery About your Hero

Sometimes heroes hide things from the public. A narrative essay can be written about these hidden facts or hire a freelance investigator to dig deeper into the person’s life for you.

• A Day when Everything Went Right

Surprise your reader with a thesis about a day that everything went right in your hero’s life.

• A Historic Event

Your hero may have been involved in a historic event so tell about it.

Your hero has many experiences in their lives that deserve recognition. Choose from these ten interesting ideas for a narrative essay.

The Spinoff

Books about 5 hours ago

‘he’s finally done it’: david hill on the high school essay that made him a writer.

• Share Story

How a 17-year-old dreaming of nothing more than a round of applause at assembly started ‘chucking down a load of crap’, and ended up finding his calling.

It’s 65 years back. I’m in my final year at Napier Boys’ High, and I’m about to earn my first money from writing.

Among the old boys of NBHS, about two decades ahead of me, was a young bloke called Russell Jones. I always think of him as young, because he was only in his 20s when he died, shot down over Germany in World War II.

His desolate parents offered money to establish a memorial essay competition at his old school. Since their son had been obsessed with flying, they specified it must always have an aviation motif. And in 1959, I entered.

Let’s wrench things into an imaginary present tense. Why do I decide to have a go? It’s not to honour or acknowledge Russell Jones or his parents. Sorry for that dismissal, but I’m just 17, and far too centred on my spotty self to consider anyone else.

Nor do I enter out of any commitment to literature/writing. My motives are much more focused. I want to win and have my name read out in assembly. I want applause. I want to be admired.

The topic for 1959 is The History of Aerial Top-Dressing in New Zealand . No disrespect to Jones or his family, but it’s hardly a subject to quicken the blood, especially when that blood festers with adolescent hormones. 

But I go to the Napier Public Library, up two flights of mock-marble stairs above an accountant’s, and find some relevant books. It’s the late 1950s, remember; online research isn’t even a gleam over the horizon. I lug them home to our grotty little place on Hospital Hill, and start taking notes – places, cargos, types of biplane. I come across anecdotes of crises and crashes; somehow glimpse how they could lift the essay.

It’s an unexpectedly satisfying process; makes me feel purposeful. Well into the next century, it remains a jolt for me to stop the cosy, responsibility-lite procrastination of research and move onto the nakedness, the vulnerability of actual writing.

On a winter afternoon, half-a-dozen of us from the Upper Sixth troop into the NBHS school library. We’ve got two hours, unsupervised except by benign, bespectacled Mrs Potter the librarian, who smiles at us from her office. My friends sit down to talk, joke, exult over missing Maths. 

But very soon, I start to write. I’ve already decided that the story I’d found of top-dressing pilot versus bellicose ewe who won’t yield right of way on the landing strip will make a good opening. After all, the Biggles books I furtively swallow often begin with something like this, though it’s usually a bull elephant rather than sheep causing the problem. So I begin with a technique stolen from my reading. Sixty-five years on, nothing’s changed.

I get the ovine confrontation story down, re-read it, chop out a few adjectives (and there’s the genesis of another writing habit). A couple of my friends have also begun; they look carefree about the whole business.

I’m not. I keep making sure to joke, to say ”Aw, I’m just chucking down a load of crap”. Whatever else I do in late 1950s provincial New Zealand, I mustn’t look like I’m turning into an arty-farty.

But something is happening. I’m moving into a quiet place. I grin when my mates say ”Look at Dave going for it,” but I’m edging away from them. Stillness is starting to wrap around me. It’s new. It’s rather wonderful. I’m alone, but I’m connecting, even if I don’t yet know with what or whom.

I’m watching as well. Watching my fountain pen on the lined school pad, where a sentence is lengthening to give a contrasting cadence with the two short ones before it. I go to write ”perilous”; realise it sounds clichéd and unattractively plosive with the ”procedures” that has to follow, so I change it to ”risky”. 

Actually, do I change it? Is it me doing this? An awareness flicking between brain and hand is nudging me: ” Save this till the next paragraph … Write this the way you’d say it … Trim that description; it’s slowing things down.”

I’m simultaneously involved and detached. A few thousand pages further on in my life, I’ll learn to trust this, to accept it as one of the wonders of writing – though when I come back the next day, I’ll slash great chunks of flab from it.

But in the NPBHS library, a next day isn’t relevant. I have to finish this by the 3.20 bell. And I will; I’m in charge of what’s happening, in some suspended, arm’s-length way. I’m making, shaping.

Two careers and two kids later, I’ll read Maurice Gee’s words, and see that they encapsulate this awareness perfectly. ” You get up at the end of two hours, and you’ve made something that never existed before. It’s unique. It’s yours. That’s one of the greatest pleasures I know.” 

I keep on. I’m thinking just one sentence ahead, but I’m aware of the section to come and the paragraphs behind. I finish 10 minutes before the bell, with the statistic and summation I identified way back in my reading for a good ending ( ‘ ‘sonorous, like the farting of a goose,” as Ezra Pound put it). The other guys are still writing. I read through what I’ve done, removing more adjectives. In writing workshops of the distant future, I’ll suggest to people that they read their work aloud when editing, literally or internally; try to get their own voice on paper. Though I hardly register it, I’m doing a little of that now.

Mrs Potter appears at the bell, collects our efforts. I straggle out with the rest, insisting that what I’ve written is total crap. But I know I’ve accomplished … something. I’m still feeling a bit remote. And fortunate; privileged even. That’s never changed. Five steps further on and too late, I realise what I should have done with one of the middle bits. Another thing that hasn’t altered.

Let’s return to a less pretentious past tense. I won. My name was read out in assembly. The school applauded David Hill. The school instantly forgot David Hill. In class, our English teacher said ”I’ve been trying all year to make Hill get off his backside, and show what he’s capable of. Now finally he’s done it.” Ah, my first ever review.

And – see the opening paragraph – I got paid. Two pounds, two shillings, a figure nearly all of you will be gazing at in puzzlement. It equalled two guineas, and how rich with literary associations that sum used to be. In 1965, when I had a poem published in The Listener , they paid me ten shillings and sixpence – half a guinea.

Like a Creative New Zealand grant nowadays, the Russell Jones riches came with conditions attached. You had to spend them on a book. In the Office Supply Company, Tennyson Street, I gazed wistfully at their row of Biggles , then settled for the only New Zealand author I’d heard of, someone called Mansfield. 

A few months later, at the end-of-year prize giving, my name was read out again, and a Distinguished Guest handed over the gilt-edged, mock-leather-bound edition of KM’s short stories, with school crest stamped into the cover. My glory was complete.

I got home, I opened the book, and gazed at a fancy embossed slip of paper pasted inside. ‘ ‘The Russell Jones Memorial Essay Prize for 1959”, it trumpeted, ”is awarded to … DAVID HALL” . 

The Spinoff Review of Books is proudly brought to you by Unity Books , recently named 2020 International Book Store of the Year, London Book Fair, and Creative New Zealand. Visit Unity Books Wellington or Unity Books Auckland online stores today. 

Paraphrasing Tool For Writers 4+

Article rewriter & proofreader, tausif akram, designed for ipad.

• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Maybe you're stuck writing an essay, crafting a creative story, or even just trying to explain your point in a conversation. Well, say goodbye to repetitive writing and hello to Paraphrasing Tool, your new best friend for expressing yourself clearly and creatively! What is Paraphrasing Tool? Forget about the days of thesauruses and clunky online rewriters. Paraphrasing Tool is a free app that uses cutting-edge technology to help you rephrase text in your own words. That's right, no more robotic-sounding sentences or awkward grammar. This powerful tool understands the nuances of language and helps you find fresh, natural-sounding alternatives for any phrase or sentence. Why is it for you? A student tired of rewriting the same ideas in different assignments? A writer looking for inspiration and variety in your stories, poems, or articles? A casual learner exploring new concepts and wanting to express your understanding differently? Anyone who wants to communicate effectively and avoid repetitive language? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then [Paraphrasing Tool] is for you! It's perfect for users 13 and above, making it a valuable tool for students, writers, and anyone who wants to enhance their communication skills. How does it work? Type or paste your text. Whether it's a sentence, paragraph, or even a whole document, Paraphrasing Tool can handle it.Tap the "Paraphrase" button. Within seconds, you'll see several different ways to rewrite your text, using synonyms, changing sentence structures, and maintaining the original meaning. Choose the paraphrase you like best. You can even compare different options to find the perfect fit for your needs. And that's it! You now have fresh, unique ways to express yourself without sacrificing clarity or meaning. While the basic paraphrasing feature is free, Paraphrasing Tool offers premium features for those who need even more control and flexibility. With Premium you can: Paraphrase longer texts: Rewrite entire essays, stories, or reports with ease. Unlock more unique paraphrases: Get even more options to choose from for truly individualized results. Adjust style and tone: Make your paraphrased text more formal, informal, creative, or whatever suits your needs. Ready to unleash your voice with Paraphrasing Tool? Download the free app today and start exploring the power of language in a whole new way! Note: The price for each plan may vary according to the country from where a user gets subscribed. The actual cost of the plan may get converted to the currency of the country you’re residing in. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. Automatic renewals will cost the same price you were originally charged for the subscription. You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Read our terms of service and Privacy Policy for more information. Privacy policy: https://www.contentarcade.com/privacy Terms of use: https://www.contentarcade.com/terms

App Privacy

The developer, Tausif Akram , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Monthly Subscription $9.99
• Weekly Offer $4.99
• Yearly Subscription $29.99
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

Design Maker For Cricut Space!

Essay on My Father Is My Hero

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Father Is My Hero 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 My Father Is My Hero

Introduction.

My father is my hero. He is the pillar of strength in our family. His hard work, dedication, and love inspire me every day.

His Dedication

My father wakes up early and works tirelessly. His dedication to his work teaches me the importance of commitment.

His Kindness

My father is always kind to everyone. He helps people in need. His kindness shows me the value of compassion.

My father is wise. He always gives me good advice. His wisdom helps me make good decisions.

My father is my hero. He inspires me to be a better person. I am proud to be his son.

250 Words Essay on My Father Is My Hero

My father, a beacon of strength and wisdom, is my hero. He is the embodiment of resilience, perseverance, and unconditional love. His life and actions offer me a roadmap to navigate the complexities of life.

Personification of Resilience

My father’s resilience is one of his most inspiring qualities. He grew up in a low-income family, with limited access to education and opportunities. However, he never let these adversities define him. Instead, he used them as stepping stones, working relentlessly to rise above his circumstances. His journey from a small village to a successful professional is a testament to his indomitable spirit.

Embodiment of Wisdom

My father’s wisdom, honed through years of experience, serves as my guiding light. He possesses an uncanny ability to simplify complex issues, offering insights that help me make informed decisions. His wisdom extends beyond academics; it encompasses life skills, ethics, and values. His teachings have shaped my perspective, enabling me to approach life with an open and analytical mind.

Unconditional Love and Support

Above all, my father’s unconditional love and support make him my hero. He celebrates my victories and encourages me in my failures, fostering an environment of trust and confidence. His unwavering faith in my abilities motivates me to strive for excellence and to never give up.

In essence, my father is my hero not because he is infallible, but because he personifies resilience, wisdom, and unconditional love. His life is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and compassion. He inspires me to be better, to do better, and to never lose sight of my dreams.

500 Words Essay on My Father Is My Hero

In the vast panorama of human relationships, the bond between a father and his child holds a special place. It is a bond that transcends the mundane, reaching into the realm of the profound. My father, an embodiment of strength, wisdom, and love, is my hero. His life, a testament to resilience and dedication, has been my guiding light, illuminating my path towards growth and self-discovery.

My Father, the Pillar of Strength

My father’s resilience in the face of adversity is awe-inspiring. He grew up in an impoverished family, where every day was a struggle for survival. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, he used these challenges as stepping stones towards a better future. His unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of his dreams taught me the importance of resilience. He showed me that life’s adversities are not roadblocks but stepping stones towards success.

My Father, the Beacon of Wisdom

My father’s wisdom, gleaned from years of experience and a ceaseless quest for knowledge, has been my compass in the journey of life. He taught me to question, to seek, and to never settle for the ordinary. His wisdom transcends bookish knowledge, delving into the realm of life’s deeper truths. Through his guidance, I learned to appreciate the beauty of questioning, the thrill of discovery, and the joy of learning.

My Father, the Embodiment of Love

Despite his many roles – a provider, a mentor, a protector – my father’s most significant role has been that of a loving parent. His love is not the ostentatious kind, filled with grand gestures and extravagant gifts. Instead, it is a quiet, steady flame that warms and illuminates. His love is seen in his sacrifices, his patience, and his unwavering faith in my potential. It’s a love that empowers, nurtures, and inspires.

My Father, My Hero

A hero is someone who inspires through their actions, someone who leads by example, and someone who makes a difference. My father, with his strength, wisdom, and love, fits this definition perfectly. He is my hero, not because he is infallible, but because he taught me that it is our imperfections that make us human. He is my hero, not because he never fell, but because he always got back up. He is my hero, not because he achieved great things, but because he showed me that the journey is more important than the destination.

In the grand narrative of my life, my father is the hero who continues to inspire and guide me. His life, a symphony of strength, wisdom, and love, resonates within me, shaping my thoughts, my actions, and my dreams. As I navigate the labyrinth of life, I am grateful for the beacon that is my father, my 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 My Father
• Essay on Importance of Father
• Essay on Father

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

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

José Andrés: Let People Eat

By José Andrés

Mr. Andrés is the founder of World Central Kitchen.

In the worst conditions you can imagine — after hurricanes, earthquakes, bombs and gunfire — the best of humanity shows up. Not once or twice but always.

The seven people killed on a World Central Kitchen mission in Gaza on Monday were the best of humanity. They are not faceless or nameless. They are not generic aid workers or collateral damage in war.

Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, John Chapman, Jacob Flickinger, Zomi Frankcom, James Henderson, James Kirby and Damian Sobol risked everything for the most fundamentally human activity: to share our food with others.

These are people I served alongside in Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Mexico, Gaza and Israel. They were far more than heroes.

Their work was based on the simple belief that food is a universal human right. It is not conditional on being good or bad, rich or poor, left or right. We do not ask what religion you belong to. We just ask how many meals you need.

From Day 1, we have fed Israelis as well as Palestinians. Across Israel, we have served more than 1.75 million hot meals. We have fed families displaced by Hezbollah rockets in the north. We have fed grieving families from the south. We delivered meals to the hospitals where hostages were reunited with their families. We have called consistently, repeatedly and passionately for the release of all the hostages.

All the while, we have communicated extensively with Israeli military and civilian officials. At the same time, we have worked closely with community leaders in Gaza, as well as Arab nations in the region. There is no way to bring a ship full of food to Gaza without doing so.

That’s how we served more than 43 million meals in Gaza, preparing hot food in 68 community kitchens where Palestinians are feeding Palestinians.

We know Israelis. Israelis, in their heart of hearts, know that food is not a weapon of war.

Israel is better than the way this war is being waged. It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who had coordinated their movements with the Israel Defense Forces.

The Israeli government needs to open more land routes for food and medicine today. It needs to stop killing civilians and aid workers today. It needs to start the long journey to peace today.

In the worst conditions, after the worst terrorist attack in its history, it’s time for the best of Israel to show up. You cannot save the hostages by bombing every building in Gaza. You cannot win this war by starving an entire population.

We welcome the government’s promise of an investigation into how and why members of our World Central Kitchen family were killed. That investigation needs to start at the top, not just the bottom.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said of the Israeli killings of our team, “It happens in war.” It was a direct attack on clearly marked vehicles whose movements were known by the Israel Defense Forces.

It was also the direct result of a policy that squeezed humanitarian aid to desperate levels. Our team was en route from a delivery of almost 400 tons of aid by sea — our second shipment, funded by the United Arab Emirates, supported by Cyprus and with clearance from the Israel Defense Forces.

The team members put their lives at risk precisely because this food aid is so rare and desperately needed. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative, half the population of Gaza — 1.1. million people — faces the imminent risk of famine. The team would not have made the journey if there were enough food, traveling by truck across land, to feed the people of Gaza.

The peoples of the Mediterranean and Middle East, regardless of ethnicity and religion, share a culture that values food as a powerful statement of humanity and hospitality — of our shared hope for a better tomorrow.

There’s a reason, at this special time of year, Christians make Easter eggs, Muslims eat an egg at iftar dinners and an egg sits on the Seder plate. This symbol of life and hope reborn in spring extends across religions and cultures.

I have been a stranger at Seder dinners. I have heard the ancient Passover stories about being a stranger in the land of Egypt, the commandment to remember — with a feast before you — that the children of Israel were once slaves.

It is not a sign of weakness to feed strangers; it is a sign of strength. The people of Israel need to remember, at this darkest hour, what strength truly looks like.

José Andrés is a chef and the founder of World Central Kitchen.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .