Inside Out & Back Again
Module 1, Unit 2—Analysis Essay
Writing Resource Packet
Name _______________________
Model Essay
Regardless of the circumstances under which refugees flee their native countries, their
experiences are often very similar. The novel, Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai and the
articles, “Children of War” by Arthur Brice and “Refugees: Who,Where,Why” by Catherine Gevert
demonstrate that refugees often experience a feeling of being turned “inside out” and “back again.”
Ha’s experience fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and “back again,” reflects the
experience of other refugees.
Many refugees are turned “inside out” as a result of trauma and pain associated with losing a
loved one, just like Ha and her family. In the article, “Children of War,” all four of the refugee
children talk about being separated from one of their parents because of war. Amela’s father went
to work one day but never returned home. Later, she learned he had been killed. She says, “Before
the war, I really enjoyed life, but after I found out about my father’s death everything seemed so
useless. I couldn’t see any future for myself” (Brice 26). Similarly, in Part One of Inside Out &
Back Again, Ha grows up without her father because of the war. In “Missing in Action,” Ha writes,
“Father left home/ on a Navy mission/ on this day/ nine years ago/ when I was almost one./ He was
captured/ on Route 1/ an hour south of the city/ by moped. That’s all we know” (Lai 12). Ha misses
her father even though she does not know much about him. Furthermore, in the poem “Birthday
Wishes,” Ha writes about how she is hopeful that her father will return home soon because Mother
is so sad. She also states, “Mostly I wish/ Father would appear in our doorway/ and make Mother’s
lips/ curl upward,/ lifting them from/ a permanent frown/ of worries” (Lai 31). Refugees like Ha and
Amela often experience a feeling of being turned “inside out” when they are separated from loved
ones.
However, due to the kindness of others, refugees begin to feel a sense of home and that
things are turning “back again.” The article, “Refugee Children in Canada” states “One key factor in
success is the reception of newcomers by the host society” (Fantino and Cloak 589). In the novel,
Ha begins to feel a sense of home again due to the kindness of one of her neighbors, Miss
Washington. When other neighbors slam their doors on Ha and her family, Miss Washington
“throws up her arms/ and hugs” them (Lai 164). Individuals like Miss Washington are evidence that
“support services, schools, health and social services, and the community at large play a crucial role
in assisting and supporting children” (Fantino and Cloak 589). Miss Washington “volunteers to
tutor” Ha and her family, which eliminates some of the burden of learning the English language
(Lai 165). Ha begins to feel a sense of progress while working with Miss Washington. She can also
confide in her neighbor without the fear of being ridiculed. When Ha explains that she eats her
lunch in the bathroom, Miss Washington states, “I’ll fix that./Things will get better,/Just you wait,”
thus enabling Ha to turn “back again” (Lai 182). Things do get better for Ha at school after
confiding in her neighbor. Other refugees also experience a sense of “back again” due to the
kindness of others. For example, Til Gurung explains that simple everyday tasks such as taking the
bus were a challenge for his wife when they arrived in the United States. However, due to the
kindness of others, his wife was assigned a tutor and “After a year of tutoring, these things were no
longer a big problem for her. Now she has more confidence and more language skills to help herself
and out family” (Gurung 1). Ultimately, the compassion of others aids refugees in feeling a sense of
home again.
Ha’s experience fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and “back again,” reflects
the experience of other refugees. Refugees, like Ha, are often turned “inside out” due to the loss of
loved ones during times of war. This grief often comes to the surface when they are forced to flee
home. Fortunately, refugees’ lives are often turned “back again” when they find a sense of home
due to the kindness of others. Ha’s experiences give voice to thousands of refugees whose lives
have been turned “inside out” and “back again” as a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Analysis Essay
Consider the meaning of the novel’s title, Inside Out & Back Again. How does this
title reflects the universal refugee experience of fleeing and finding home, and in
what ways is Ha’s experience an example of this universal experience.
In your answer, be sure to:
 Explain how the lives of refugees turn “inside out” when they are forced to flee
and find home.
 Explain how the lives of refugees turn “back again” when they find home.
 Cite evidence from the novel, Inside Out & Back Again and at least two of the
informational texts we have read to support your claim.
Texts you could choose from:
“Panic Rises in Saigon”
“Refugees: Who, Where, Why”
“Children of War”
“Children in Canada”
Til Gurung’s Speech from the Mid Unit Assessment
**You must complete both sides of the planning page that follows before you begin writing.**
Writing an Introduction Paragraph
The introduction paragraph of an essay is very important. It has 2 purposes: to
inform your reader as to what the rest of the essay will be about and to engage your
reader so that he or she will WANT to keep reading. An introduction has THREE
parts progressing from very general to very specific! Follow the format below:
Step 1- General Statement:
Begin with a general statement about the topic of the essay. It is often helpful to
utilize information taken from the essay prompt. Do not mention specifics such as
texts or people’s names. Instead, consider the topic of the essay and formulate a
very general, but engaging statement about this. It can be more than one sentence,
but really shouldn’t be more than two.
Example –Regardless of the circumstances under which refugees flee their native
countries, their experiences are often very similar.
Your General Statement:
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Step 2-Title, Author, Genre Sentence (TAG):
Your TAG sentence should introduce the titles, authors, and genres of the texts you
are going to write about. Your TAG sentence should also state the connection
between these texts. In other words, explain the subject that both texts have in
common. Avoid getting too specific here – save that for the next part.
Example – The novel, Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai and the articles,
“Children of War” by Arthur Brice and “Refugees: Who,Where,Why” by Catherine
Gevert both demonstrate that refugees often experience a feeling of being turned
“inside out” and “back again.”
Your TAG Statement:
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Step 3-Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is what you are going to PROVE in your essay. Get this
from the ESSAY QUESTION!! You should use specifics such as who and
what in your thesis. DO NOT write, “In this essay, I will be writing about…”
Example – Ha’s experience fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and
“back again,” reflects the experience of other refugees.
Your Thesis Statement:
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________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Put it all together and this is what you get –
Regardless of the circumstances under which refugees flee their native
countries, their experiences are often very similar. The novel, Inside Out and Back
Again by Thanhha Lai and the articles, “Children of War” by Arthur Brice and
“Refugees: Who,Where,Why” by Catherine Gevert demonstrate that refugees often
experience a feeling of being turned “inside out” and “back again.” Ha’s experience
fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and “back again,” reflects the
experience of other refugees.
Your Introduction:
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Peer Editing Checklist – Introduction Paragraph
Introduction Paragraph--Editing Checklist
1. The introduction paragraph begins with a general statement that relates to the topic of the essay.
YES
NO
2. The general statement does not mention either of the individuals yet. Instead, it sets the
foundation for the essay.
YES
NO
3. The introduction contains an accurate TAG (Title, Author, Genre) sentence that shows how all
texts are related.
YES
NO
4. The introduction ends with a thesis statement that is very specific and directly states what the
paragraph is about.
YES
NO
Comments/Suggestions ________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________
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Writing Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs of an essay are the most important because this is where you
give evidence to support what you stated in the thesis statement in your Introduction
paragraph. Great body paragraphs are specific, contain textual evidence, and
frequently connect each detail back to the thesis. Your body paragraphs follow TSC
format! Follow the outline below:
Step 1- Topic Sentence
Open with a Topic Sentence that is interesting and explains what the paragraph
will be about.
Example:
Many refugees are turned “inside out” as a result of trauma and pain associated with
losing a loved one, just like Ha and her family.
*Hint: Your topic sentence for body paragraph #1 and #2 are located on your
Planning Page.
Step 2-Supporting Details
The supporting details must prove the topic sentence and should frequently
relate back to it. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your claim. Don’t
forget to add transition words to improve the fluency of your paragraph.
Example:
In the article, “Children of War” (Brice 25), all four of the refugee children talk
about being separated from one of their parents because of war. Amela’s father went
to work one day but never returned home. Later, she learned he had been killed
(Brice 26). She says, “Before the war, I really enjoyed life, but after I found out about
my father’s death everything seemed so useless. I couldn’t see any future for myself”
(Brice 26). In Part One of Inside Out & Back Again, Ha grows up without her father
because of the war. In “Missing in Action,” Ha writes, “Father left home/ on a Navy
mission/ on this day/ nine years ago/ when I was almost one./ He was captured/ on
Route 1/ an hour south of the city/ by moped./ That’s all we know” (Lai 12). Ha
misses father even though she does not know much about him. In the poem “Birthday
Wishes,” Ha writes about how she is hopeful that her father will return home soon
because Mother is so sad. She also states, “Mostly I wish/ Father would appear in our
doorway/ and make Mother’s lips/ curl upward,/ lifting them from/ a permanent
frown/ of worries” (Lai 31).
Step 3. Conclusion Sentence
The job of the Conclusion Sentence is to wrap up the paragraph by restating the
topic sentence. DO NOT introduce new information here or end with “This is
how…”
Example for body paragraph #1:
Refugees often experience a feeling of being turned “inside out” when they are
separated from loved ones.
Example for body paragraph #2: Through the kindness of others, refugees like Ha
are able to adapt to their new surroundings and turn their lives “back again.”
Put it all together and this is what you get:
Many refugees are turned “inside out” as a result of trauma and pain associated
with losing a loved one, just like Ha and her family. In the article, “Children of War”
(Brice 25), all four of the refugee children talk about being separated from one of
their parents because of war. Amela’s father went to work one day but never returned
home. Later, she learned he had been killed (Brice 26). She says, “Before the war, I
really enjoyed life, but after I found out about my father’s death everything seemed
so useless. I couldn’t see any future for myself” (Brice 26). In Part One of Inside Out
& Back Again, Ha grows up without her father because of the war. In “Missing in
Action,” Ha writes, “Father left home/ on a Navy mission/ on this day/ nine years
ago/ when I was almost one./ He was captured/ on Route 1/ an hour south of the city/
by moped. That’s all we know” (Lai 12). Ha misses father even though she does not
know much about him. In the poem “Birthday Wishes,” Ha writes about how she is
hopeful that her father will return home soon because Mother is so sad. She also
states, “Mostly I wish/ Father would appear in our doorway/ and make Mother’s lips/
curl upward,/ lifting them from/ a permanent frown/ of worries” (Lai 31). Refugees
are often experience a feeling of being turned “inside out” when they are separated
from loved ones.
Your First Body Paragraph (“inside out”):
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Body Paragraph #1- Editing Checklist:
1. The paragraph begins with a topic sentence that is interesting and explains what the paragraph
will be about.
Yes
No
2. The paragraph contains at least three supporting details in the form of textual evidence. Each
detail supports the topic sentence and is elaborated upon.
Yes
No
3. The paragraph contains sophisticated vocabulary.
Yes
No
4. The paragraph is, for the most part, grammatically correct.
Yes
5. The paragraph contains transition words.
No
Yes
No
6. The paragraph contains an interesting conclusion sentence that wraps up the paragraph.
Yes
No
7. The paragraph is interesting AND answers the assigned task.
Yes
No
Comments/Suggestions ________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________
Your Second Body Paragraph (“back again”):
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Body Paragraph #2- Editing Checklist:
1. The paragraph begins with a topic sentence that is interesting and explains what the paragraph
will be about.
Yes
No
2. The paragraph contains at least three supporting details in the form of textual evidence. Each
detail supports the topic sentence and is elaborated upon.
Yes
No
3. The paragraph contains sophisticated vocabulary.
Yes
No
4. The paragraph is, for the most part, grammatically correct.
Yes
5. The paragraph contains transition words.
No
Yes
No
6. The paragraph contains an interesting conclusion sentence that wraps up the paragraph.
Yes
No
7. The paragraph is interesting AND answers the assigned task.
Yes
No
Comments/Suggestions ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Writing a Conclusion Paragraph
The job of a Conclusion Paragraph is to wrap up what has been proven. It should
NEVER mention new information that has not already been presented in the Body
Paragraphs. Follow the format below:
Step 1- Restate Thesis Statement
Go back to your Introduction Paragraph and recopy the Thesis Statement. This
is the last sentence of your Intro. If you feel comfortable, you can reword it to
add flair to your essay!
Example: Ha’s experience fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and
“back again,” reflects the experience of other refugees.
Your Restated-Thesis Statement:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2- Sum Up Sentences
Sum up what you have already proven in your body paragraphs. You should
have two sum up sentences – one that sums up body paragraph 1 and one that
sums up body paragraph two. Remember – no new info here!
Example for Body 1: Refugees, like Ha, are often turned “inside out” due to the loss
of loved ones during times of war. This grief often comes to the surface when they
are forced to flee home.
Example for Body 2: Fortunately, refugees’ lives are often turned “back again”
when they find a sense of home due to the kindness of others.
Your Sum-Up Statement for Body Paragraph #1:
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________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Your Sum-Up Statement for Body Paragraph #2:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3- Closing Sentence/Vomit Sentence
The job of the closing sentence is to reflect on the topic of your essay and leave
your reader with a lasting impression.
Example: Ha’s experiences give voice to thousands of refugees whose lives have
been turned “inside out” and “back again” as a result of circumstances beyond their
control.
Your Closing Sentence:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Put it all together and this is what you get:
Ha’s experience fleeing and finding home, or turning “inside out” and “back
again,” reflects the experience of other refugees. Refugees, like Ha, are often turned
“inside out” due to the loss of loved ones during times of war. This grief often comes
to the surface when they are forced to flee home. Fortunately, refugees’ lives are
often turned “back again” when they find a sense of home due to the kindness of
others. Ha’s experiences give voice to thousands of refugees whose lives have been
turned “inside out” and “back again” as a result of circumstances beyond their
control.
Your Conclusion Paragraph:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Conclusion Paragraph—Editing Checklist
1. The conclusion paragraph begins with a restatement of the thesis.
YES
NO
2. The conclusion paragraph contains two sentences which reiterate the major points of each body
paragraph.
YES
NO
3. The conclusion paragraph ends with a clincher sentence that is interesting and ties together all
ideas for the reader.
YES
NO
4. The conclusion paragraph contains NO NEW INFORMATION.
YES
NO
Giving Credit to Your Sources
Whenever you write, you must give credit to those who wrote the texts about which you are writing.
This is done in two places – right after the textual evidence appears in your essay and at the end of
the essay.
In-text Citations
It is necessary to cite the author’s last name as well as the page number where you
found the textual evidence you are citing directly after this evidence.
Example of Citing a Source with ONE Author:
Ha’s life is quickly turned “inside out” when she boards the ship where “bodies
cram / every centimeter / below deck, / then every centimeter / on deck” (Lai
63).
*Note how the citation goes after the quotation marks. It is inside parentheses and
the period goes after the close parenthesis.
Practice writing an in-text citation using one of your details on the lines below:
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Example of Citing a Source with TWO Authors:
In “Refugee Children in Canada: Searching for Identity,” the authors assert that
many refugees “have lost many members of their families and many have lost
everything that was familiar to them” (Fantino and Colak 590).
Works Cited Page
It is necessary to include a works cited page following your essay in order to give
credit to the texts you have cited in your essay.
Here are some basic rules for the Works Cited page:
1. The Works Cited page must begin on a separate page at the end of your essay.
2. Label the page Works Cited. Center this title on the page. DO NOT bold or
italicize it!
3. All citations should be double spaced. However, only one space should be
skipped between each entry.
4. Do not indent the first line of each citation. Instead, indent the second line.
5. List your entries alphabetical from A-Z by author’s last name.=
6. Follow the appropriate format for each entry. Pay close attention to the
punctuation such as what is italicized, underlined, etc.
a. Format for a book (Inside Out and Back Again)
Author’s last name, Author’s first name. Title of Book. City of
publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Print or Web.
b. Format for an article in a newspaper (“Panic Rises in Saigon…”):
Author’s last name, Author’s first name. “Title of Article.” Title of
Newspaper Day Month Year. Print or Web.
c. Format for an article in a magazine (“Refugees: Who, Where, Why” and
“Children of War”):
Author’s last name, Author’s first name. “Title of Article.” Title of
Magazine Day Month Year. Print or Web.
d. Format for an article in a scholarly journal (“Refugee Children in
Canada: Searching for Identity”):
Author’s last name, Author’s first name. “Title of Article.” Title of
Journal. Volume. Issue (Year): pages. Print or Web.
Name: _____________________________
English 8
Date __________
Period ______
Analysis Essay Rubric – ORGANIZATION
Note: You will receive TWO grades on this assignment - One for the Organization of your
essay and the other for Ideas/Content, Conventions, Word Choice, and Fluency. Each grade
will be out of 100! Be sure to keep these rubrics next to you when you write your essay
because they will help to ensure that you do well as long as you follow them!
Introduction Paragraph
Total= 25 Points
General Statement (5 pts)
/5
TAG Sentence (Mention all texts) (10 pts)
/10
Strong Thesis Statement (10 pts)
/10
Body Paragraph #1—“Inside Out”
Total = 25 Points
Accurate Topic Sentence (5 pts)
/5
Supporting Details—Ha’s experience (7.5 pts)
/7.5
Supporting Details—Other refugee(s) (7.5 pts)
/7.5
Conclusion Sentence (5 pts)
/5
Body Paragraph #2—“Back Again”
Total = 25 Points
Topic Sentence (5 pts)
/5
Supporting Details—Ha’s experience (7.5 pts)
/7.5
Supporting Details—Other refugee(s) (7.5 pts)
/7.5
Conclusion Sentence (5 pts)
/5
Conclusion Paragraph
Total=25 points
Restate Thesis (5 pts)
/5
Two strong sentences that sum up the main
/10
points of each body paragraph (10 pts)
Final thought that reflects on the connections
/10
between texts (10 pts)
Organization Grade: _______/100
Ideas/Content, Conventions, Word Choice, and Fluency Grade: _______/100
Comments:
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Analysis Essay Rubric – Ideas/Content, Conventions, Word Choice, and Fluency
Category
Ideas &
Content
Conventions
Word
Choice
Sentence
Fluency
25 - 22
21-17
16-11
10-5
4-0
The essay provides
a thorough
explanation of how
the central idea of
the poem is related
to the text of choice.
Many (at least 3)
relevant and
accurate details
were taken from the
texts and clearly
support the thesis.
The question is
answered fully and
accurately.
The essay provides
a strong
explanation of how
the central idea of
the poem is related
to the text of choice.
Some (at least 2)
relevant and
accurate details
were taken from the
texts to support the
thesis. The
question is
answered.
The essay provides a
general explanation
of how the central
idea of the poem is
related to the text of
choice. . Few (1)
relevant and accurate
details were taken
from the texts to
support the thesis.
The question is
answered though not
as well as it could be.
The essay provides
an inaccurate or
incomplete
explanation of how
the central idea of
the poem is related
to the text of choice.
Very few (1)
relevant and
accurate details
were taken from the
texts to support the
thesis. The
question is not
answered.
The essay provides
an inaccurate and
incomplete
explanation of how
the central idea of
the poem is related
to the text of
choice. No
relevant or accurate
details were taken
from the texts to
support the thesis.
The question is not
answered.
All sentences are
accurately
punctuated and all
words are correctly
spelled. It is clear
that the student has
proofread his or her
work because there
are no obvious
errors.
The majority of
sentences are
accurately
punctuated and
most words are
correctly spelled. It
is clear that the
student has
proofread his or her
work because there
are few obvious
errors.
Some sentences are
accurately punctuated
and some words are
accurately spelled. It
is questionable as to
whether the student
proofread his or her
work because there
are many obvious
errors.
Few sentences are
accurately
punctuated few
words are
accurately spelled.
It is clear that
student did not
proofread his or her
work because there
are many obvious
errors.
No sentences are
accurately
punctuated and no
words are
accurately spelled.
It is clear that
student did not
proofread his or her
work because there
are too many
obvious errors.
Many sophisticated
vocabulary words
are used to enhance
the writing piece.
Repetition of words
and phrases is
avoided.
Some sophisticated
vocabulary words
are used to enhance
the writing piece.
Repetition of words
and phrases is
avoided.
Few sophisticated
vocabulary words are
used to enhance the
writing piece. Some
words and phrases are
repeated.
Very few
sophisticated
vocabulary words
are used to enhance
the writing piece.
Many words and
phrases are
repeated.
No sophisticated
vocabulary words
are used to enhance
the writing piece.
Many words and
phrases are
repeated.
There are no run-on
sentences or
fragments. The
paragraphs read
very smoothly.
There are some runon sentences or
fragments. The
paragraphs read
smoothly.
There are many runon sentences or
fragments that make
the paragraphs
somewhat difficult to
read. The paragraphs
don’t read smoothly.
There are many
run-on sentences or
fragments that make
the paragraphs very
difficult to read.
The paragraphs
don’t read
smoothly.
There are many
run-on sentences
and fragments that
make the
paragraphs
impossible to read.
The paragraphs
don’t read smoothly.