2007 - 2008 Writing Contest Topic
Courage
Courage takes many forms: the sports/war hero; the handicapped/against-all-odds hero; the steadfast moralist/the quiet hero; the celebrity hero; and the everyday /unclaimed hero. All heroes, it seems, exhibit courage, this intangible characteristic.
In a poem, narrative or essay, define and describe an example of courage that would qualify a person - real or imagined - as a modern day hero. Describe tasks and obstacles this person might encounter and illustrate the behaviors and characteristics this person might exhibit. Explain how others could learn from this person's courage. Your writing should exhibit the qualities we have come to accept as appropriate for your school level and for the particular type of writing you have chosen.