The Catcher in the Rye Paper Assignment
Mrs. Sianni Freshman English
The Topic : You are going to write a 5 paragraph essay in which you analyze the character of Holden Caulfield through the author’s use of symbols. The paper will have a thesis (THE SENTENCE THAT STATES THE POINT OF THE ENTIRE PAPER).
This thesis sentence will state that Salinger uses symbols to help portray the character of
Holden AND it will mention the THREE symbols you will describe in your paper.
Each body paragraph will examine ONE symbol and illustrate EXACTLY what trait of
Holden or what concern of Holden is found in that symbol. It is required that you use quotations from the novel to prove your points.
There will be an introductory paragraph that will mention the book title, the author, and
Holden as the main character. The intro paragraph will END with the thesis statement about Holden. We will not work on the introduction until the entire paper is written. The only part of the intro we’ll work on early in the process is the thesis.
We will work first on the first body paragraph – the symbol of the red hunting hat.
Everyone will write a topic sentence which states the symbolic meaning of the hat. Then you will write the rest of the paragraph providing at LEAST one quote to support your idea. It will be much better to use several quotes.
After that paragraph is finished, you will work on a paragraph about the ducks in Central
Park. The third body paragraph will be up to you. By the time we get there, we will be finished with the book and you will have a list of possible symbols.
When all the body paragraphs are finished, you will write the entire introductory paragraph and then the conclusion.
Format : The final paper will be typed in 12 point font and double spaced. There must be a cover page done according to directions where you will have your name; your name will NOT appear anywhere else on the paper.
This paper will count as a major test grade for the second marking period. It is important for that reason and also because it is the first multi-paragraph paper you are writing that analyzes literature. This is the style of paper will you write all through high school and in college. It is very important that you learn how to do this.
Due dates:
Thesis and 1 st
body paragraph: ____________________________
2 nd
and 3 rd
body paragraphs: __________________________
Introduction: _____________________

Concluding paragraph: _____________________
Final paper: _____________________________. No exceptions. If you are absent when this is due, you will be expected to e-mail the paper by 3PM that day.
ALL PAPERS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM. YOU ARE NOT
TO USE ANY OTHER SOURCES AS AN AIDE TO WRITING THIS PAPER. IF
ANY SIMILARITY TO A RESEARCHED SOURCE TURNS UP IN YOUR
PAPER, IT WILL MEAN

A ZERO ON THE PAPER,

PHONING HOME TO PARENTS,

AND A DEMERIT.
THIS MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK.