Hi! This is my first time using APA format and I am unsure of what I should use for my abstract. All I need are a few ideas, I don't particularly want anyone to write it for me, cause that's my favorite part. I just don't know what else to write about. Here's what I have so far.
Abstract
This essay will briefly summarize the life of Patrick Henry, a little-known revolutionary war hero. It will reflect on what his contributions to the war were, and why he is a hero.
If you guys wouldn't mind proofreading my essay too I would greatly appreciate that, too!
“Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” The Man Behind the Words
On March 23, 1775, a speech was delivered to some very important people, by a very important man. This speech would help inspire Americans throughout the thirteen colonies to rebel, and seize their freedom from the power that had stolen it. This speech would help push the colonists and begin the war for freedom, and the man who delivered it be famed for seven simple words: Give me liberty, or give me death.
Patrick Henry was born May 29, 1736, in Hanover County, Virginia, the second of nine children. He attended a local school for a few years, but was primarily tutored by his father, who had attended university in Scotland before he immigrated. When he was eighteen years old, he married Sarah Shelton, and attempted planting for a living, which failed when their house burnt down. He later tried opening up a shop, however this, too, failed. With not much left to do, he returned to Hanover County and was hired by his father-in-law working in the Hanover Tavern.
At age 24, he decided to become a lawyer. He delivered many passionate speeches in the courtroom, and strongly disagreed with the actions of the Brittish Government. He was also a member of the Fist Virginia Committee of Correspondence, and an important leader in the opposition of the brittish government. It was on March 23, 1775, during the second Virginia Convention, that he presented his most famous speech, ending with the phrase he is known for most, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
Patrick Henry contributed to the war by helping to encourage and inspire the colonists to fight. If he had not done this, it would have taken the colonists much longer to gain the courage to break free from the tyranny of King George III. Henry contributed to the outbreak of the war through which our nation was born.
I think that Henry is a hero because he fought for what he believed in through words. He fought through religous tension in his home growing up, fought through the pain of losing his first wife, and raised seventeen children in a time of war. He wrote a speech that inspires everyone who hears it, and for those reasons, he is indeed a hero. On March 23, 1775, a speech was delivered to some very important people, by a very important man. This speech would help inspire Americans throughout the thirteen colonies to rebel, and seize their freedom from the power that had stolen it. This speech would help push the colonists and begin the war for freedom, and the hero who delivered it be famed for seven simple words: Give me liberty, or give me death.
Thank you so much to whoever answers this!
Someone here should be able to critique your paper, but be sure to run it through Grammarly.com at least once before you post it.
And yes, formatting won’t show up here.
Patrick Henry is little known? Even North of Boston his name rings a bell.
PS> I know this isn't formatted. Its because this site won't let me. I have it formatted on Google Docs.
Thank you so much for the advice!
Could I try providing a few examples of why he is a hero?
(It needs to be at least 150 words long, so I really need ideas 😬)
Yes, less biography and more examples of why you believe he’s a hero would greatly improve your paper. Also, be sure to rephrase in all places where you have written “I think” or “it is written“ or any other passive or repetitive wording. And watch those verbs! Do you really mean, “This speech would help push the colonists...” — or did the speech actually push ... ?
Read your paper aloud to someone to whom you’ve given a printout. That’s another good way to find strange phrasing! If your listener has trouble following your thoughts or asks what you mean anywhere, you’ll know those places need fixing.