Essays for shodan (first degree black belt) should include:

Biography:

Full Name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Sex
Height
Weight
Eye color
Address
Occupation
Educational background
Date of commencement of karatedo training
Name of style
Name of dojo
Name of style founder
Name of sensei
Promotion record:

1. JuKyu or 10th Kyu (1st degree yellow belt. Include date and examiner's name)
2. Kukyu or 9th Kyu, (2nd degree yellow belt. Include date/examiner's name)
3. Hachikyu or 8th Kyu (1st degree orange belt. Include date/examiner's name)
4. Nanakyu or 7th Kyu (2nd degree orange belt. Include date/examiner's name)
5. Rokyu or 6th Kyu (1st degree green belt. Include date/examiner's name)
6. Gokyu or 5th Kyu (2nd degree green belt. Include date/examiner's name)
7. Yonkyu or 4th Kyu ( 1st degree blue belt. Include date/examiner's name)
8. Sankyu or 3rd Kyu (2nd degree blue belt. Include date/examiner's name)
9. Nikkyu or 2nd Kyu (1st degree brown belt. Include date/examiner's name)
10. Ikkyu or 1st Kyu (2nd degree brown belt. Include date/examiner's name)

Tournament record
    Include date, place, events participated in, and placing
Demonstration record
    Include date and place
Record of seminars, training camps and clinics attended
    Include date, place, duration, name(s) of chief instructor (s)

Write about the following topics:

Karatedo & I (past present and future)
Comparison of Shorinjiryu Shindo and other styles
Difference between karate and sports
Explanation of favorite technique

Attacking

Counter

Combination

Explanation of favorite kata
Explanation of favorite kumite
Personal training for karatedo
Explanation of dojo etiquette
Study glossary of karatedo terms