Typed Shadow of the Dragon Essay Instructions:
You are going to turn your Shadow of the Dragon shaping sheets into a four-paragraph,
typed essay. Paragraph 1 will consist of your introduction (with thesis statement),
paragraphs 2 & 3 will be your body paragraphs, & paragraph 4 will be your conclusion.
Make the following revisions/corrections on your papers (in pen) on your shaping sheets:
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Did you use correct punctuation and capitalization? Fix any grammar mistakes you find.
Get rid of run-on sentences and sentence fragments.
Clarity (Are you using transition words to make it flow?) Circle your transition words
(words such as: hence, therefore, as a result, etc.) If you did not use transition words, add
them.
Check the topic sentence of each body paragraph: does each topic sentence state the main
idea of your paragraph? If so, put a check mark next to it. If not, rewrite each topic
sentence so it does.
Check the concrete detail in each body paragraph. Is it a quote? Does the quote provide
clear, solid evidence of the point you are trying to make in your topic sentence? If so, put
a check mark next to it. If not, rewrite it so it does.
Check the commentary in each of your body paragraphs. Does it serve as supporting
analysis or insight that relates to & backs up your concrete detail? If so, put a check
mark next to it. If not, rewrite it so that it does.
Check the concluding sentence of each body paragraph. Does it restate the topic and wrap
up the paragraph? If so, put a check mark next to it. If not, rewrite it so it does.
Add an introduction & a conclusion to your shaping sheet. Follow the shaping sheet
format as you write these paragraphs. Use the samples & guidelines on the back of this
paper to help you as your write your introduction & conclusion.
Once you have made these corrections on your paper, take your shaping sheet home with you.
Type your revised shaping sheets in an essay format.
Staple your shaping sheet WITH REVISIONS to your typed essay, and bring your typed
essay to class on Tuesday, 11/17. (Typed copy goes on top.)
Typed paragraphs must be in the following format:12-point font, Times New Roman font,
double-spaced
Heading should be in the top right-hand corner of the page as follows:
Name
Date
Period
Introduction & Conclusion
Your introduction should include:
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Catchy start/hook (This can be a quote, background information on the topic, etc.)
Title of book and author name/character statement
Thesis statement (thesis should include a subject and an opinion related to the prompt)
In-class prompt: Why do Sang Le & Danny have a hard time understanding one another?
Sample Introduction:
People from different backgrounds and cultures often have trouble relating to and understanding
one another. In Sherry Garland’s Shadow of the Dragon, Danny Vo and his cousin, Sang Le, have
a difficult time understanding one another’s personalities and actions. These two characters do
not identify with one another because they grew up in vastly different cultures, and they have had
dissimilar life experiences.
Your conclusion should:
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Be 3-5 sentences long
Be mostly commentary (YOUR insight and analysis)
Have a profound (deep, thoughtful, reflective) ending!
Restate ideas (in different words)
Relate your thoughts and ideas to the bigger picture
Can talk about problems that people may face today (related to your writing prompt:
immigration or being an immigrant in general)
Sample Conclusion:
Danny Vo and Sang Le have difficulty understanding one another because they grew up in
different countries, and they have been through incredibly different things in life. Those who
emigrate from other countries often have difficulty communicating, fitting in, and finding a
place in their new cultures. This is often due to a lack of understanding of the social norms of
their new cultures, and leads to problems relating to the people they meet in their new
countries.