Summer Reading: Rising Pre-IB Tenth Graders, 2012
Most teens can relate to Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye. You will be writing a
500-750 word essay of your choosing from the four options below. While you are reading this sixty-one
year old classic novel, use the “I’m a ….” resource (page 3) to keep track of Holden’s perceptions of himself
which you will recognize fairly quickly is sometimes contradictory. You will need to include three quotes for
support so this resource will make it much easier to refer back to some valuable information.
1. A character sketch of Holden, including his physical description, emotional state and personality
traits. For example, Holden is six feet, two inches tall.
2. An analysis of the conflicts with which Holden struggles. He contradicts himself frequently so this
should be fairly evident based on your records on the “I’m a…” resource. You will need at least
three examples with quoted support and your interpretation of the source of these struggles. For
example, Holden is conflicted about old people as he finds comfort in their interest in him but thinks
their physical appearance is somewhat revolting. Perhaps the death of his brother triggers these
feelings about old people as they are probably closer to death than he is.
3. A description of at least three symbols in Catcher which represent some of Holden’s feelings. Then
identify a modern day symbol which could represent a similar feeling he may have had in the
1950’s. For example, for Holden, Hollywood represents phonies or sellouts. Corporate America
may symbolically represent a similar feeling in this day and age. A person harboring these feelings
may have disdain for peers who had previously been zealous advocates for saving the environment.
4. Describe a fictional modern day equivalent of Holden. For example, a hipster who values
independent thinking, counter-culture, etc.
Please identify the prompt you are using above your essay.
The following are mandatory requirements for this essay:
All require pristine organization, voice, ideas and content, conventions (grammar and mechanics),
sentence structure and word choice. Rubric attached.
All require 500-750 words
All require MLA formatting
All require third person point of view
All require the “I’m a…” worksheets attached to your hard copy
All require at least three properly formatted quotations from the novel to support your observations.
All require originality. If it is obvious that you borrowed from another student or an internet source, you will
get a zero.
All require submission to turnitin.com by Sunday, August 26, 2012 and a hard copy turned in by Monday,
August 27, 2012. The deadline date for submissions to turnitin.com is Monday, August 27 and a hard copy
on Tuesday, August 28. Those submitted late will lose 10% on his or her grade. If it is not turned into
turnitin.com, it won’t be graded. No assignments will be accepted after Tuesday, August 28. While you may
have either Mrs. Greenwald or Ms. Kelley, the turnitin.com account is under Ms. Kelley’s name. The
information for the turnitin.com account for this class is on the back (page four) of this handout.
There are many options for accessing the novel, The Catcher in the Rye.
Check out a copy of the novel from school.
Check out a copy from the public library.
Access the http://thegreatestnovels.com/etext/catcher-in-the-rye.htm for an e-text.
During the beginning of fall semester, lessons and assignments will be based on the content and assignments
pertaining to The Catcher in the Rye. If you have questions about this assignment, you may email Mrs.
Dickey, the English resource teacher, at [email protected] or one of the pre-IB teachers,
[email protected] or [email protected].
If you want to achieve a high grade on this assignment, follow these points:
• Has relevant and complete support and elaboration to enhance ideas
• Uses an effective organizational strategy that enhances the essay
• Maintains a distinctive voice and deliberate tone
• Uses precise word choice and evocative language
• Demonstrates careful attention to audience’s understanding and interest
• Has no errors in usage or conventions that interfere with meaning
Approach to
the Topic
Development
of Ideas
Supporting
details
Presentation
Mechanics
5
Effectively and
insightfully addresses
the topic, with a clear
focus.
Is well-organized,
ideas are fully
developed.
Uses clearly
appropriate and
specific examples to
support ideas.
Displays consistent
and sophisticated
voice, demonstrating
variety in sentence
structure and range of
vocabulary.
Contains no errors in
grammar or usage in
the standard
conventions of
English.
4
Effectively
addresses the
topic with a
clear focus.
Is organized and
developed.
Uses appropriate
and specific
examples to
support ideas.
Displays facility
in the use of
language, with
variety in
sentence
structure and
range of
vocabulary.
Contains few
minor errors in
grammar.
3
Addresses the topic
with some focus.
2
Addresses the topic
but fails to focus.
1
Fails to address the topic or
focus.
Is organized and
somewhat
developed.
Uses examples to
support ideas.
Has lapses in
organization or
little development.
Uses inadequate or
inappropriate
examples to
support ideas.
Displays limited
facility in the use
of language, and
contains some
errors in sentence
structure and use of
vocabulary.
Has poor organization or
no development.
Contains many
errors in grammar.
Contains errors in grammar
and deviations from
standard conventions of
English that obscure the
meaning of the paper.
Displays adequate
facility in the use
of language, with
limited variety of
sentence structure
and vocabulary.
Contains some
errors in grammar
that do not detract
from the meaning
of the paper.
Uses few or no examples to
support ideas.
Displays obvious problems
in the use of language,
frequent errors in sentence
structure and inappropriate
use of vocabulary.
PLEASE HAND THIS IN WITH THE HARD COPY OF YOUR ESSAY
In preparation for an essay, track all of the statements (and page numbers) Holden makes about
himself, especially those that begin with “I’m a …” For example,
“I’m a heavy smoker…” (5)
“I act quite young for my age…” (9)
“I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw…” (16)
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Creating the Student Profile: Do this the first time you use the site. If you have
already created a profile, don’t create a new one. Just log in and follow directions for
numbers 4, 5, and 6.
1. Go to www.turnitin.com
2. Go to the upper-right hand corner and click once on “New Users”.
3. It will say, “Create a Profile”. Select “Student”. Click “Next”.
4. Enter the class name is Summer Reading: Pre-IB 10
5. Enter the Class ID. Our class account is 5171637
6. Enter the Enrollment Password which is summerfun
7. Enter first name and last name.
8. Enter your email address which will be your user name for Turnitin.com. Click “Next”.
9. Create a User Password. Your password must be at least 6 letters and no longer than 12
letters long. You must have one number and one letter in your password. The password is
case sensitive. You will have to type your password twice. Write your password here so
that you do not forget it. Click “Next”. __________________________
10. Select your secret question and type in the answer.
11. Click “I Agree” to complete the profile.
12. Class name: Class ID: Password: