1. Weeds
&
Roses

2. Thesis Statements Thesis must directly address the prompt
Thesis must state the subject + your opinion
Thesis should be specific
Topic sentence of each body paragraph should RELATE to your thesis, but should NOT simply restate your thesis

3. Thesis Statements: Revisions
“Sang Le’s life in America is confusing and stressful.”
How could we revise this to make it better?
Remember the prompt: What does Sang Le think about life in America?
Revised thesis statement (keeping the prompt in mind):
“Sang Le thinks that life in America is confusing and stressful.”

4. Thesis Statements: Revisions
“Sang Le is too shy for America.”
How could we revise this to make it better?
Remember the prompt: What does Sang Le think about life in America?
Revised thesis statement (keeping the prompt in mind):
“Sang Le does not like life in America, because he is too shy to fit in.”

5. Thesis Statements: Revisions
“Sang Le thinks that life in America is very different than Vietnam.”
How could we revise this to make it better?
Does this thesis statement include adequate details/specifics?
Revised thesis statement (with details/specifics):
“Sang Le thinks that life in America is very different than life in Vietnam in terms of social norms and day-to-day life.”

6. Thesis Statements “Sang Le doesn’t understand life in America.”
How could we revise this to make it better?
Does this thesis statement include adequate details/specifics?
Revised thesis statement (with details/specifics):
“Sang Le doesn’t understand life in America: the way people live, talk, and act confuses him.”

7. Concrete Details
What were you asked to do in the concrete detail sections of your shaping sheet?
Include quotes from the book
Don’t forget:
When quoting, you MUST use exact wording from the book
Your quotes (concrete details) serve a purpose—they serve as supporting evidence for your topic sentence!
Concrete details should also relate to/tie in with your thesis statement

8. Concrete Details
If you use random quotes that are not related to your topic sentence and your thesis statement, you will confuse your reader!
Choose quotes (for CDs) carefully
While choosing quotes, remember what point you are trying to prove! (If you forgot, look back to your topic sentence and your thesis—what opinion did you state? What argument are you trying to back up?)

9. Introduction Your introduction should include:
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)

10. Introduction
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.
Does it include:
A 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)?

11. Conclusion Your conclusion should: 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)

12. Conclusion
In-class prompt: Why do Sang Le & Danny have a hard time understanding one another?
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.
Does it meet the following requirements:
3-5 sentences long?
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