Writing Style and Catcher in the Rye
Your Turn: Write an original story, retell an anecdote, or rewrite a classic story (fairy tale, children’s book,
etc.) in Holden Caulfield’s style. It should be full of Salinger sentences, with as much slang as you can think
of, though it would be a good idea to watch the profanity. It can be funny, serious, whatever, but it should
be a minimum of 1-2 pages, 1.5 spacing. Pick a subject or story that Holden would find thought-provoking.
(Yeah, like Holden ever really thinks! For a smart guy, he sure is a moron for chrissakes. I don’t even want to
think about it. It kills me.)
Characteristics of Holden’s Style
1. use of slang (“lousy,” “crumby,” “touchy,” & “moron”)
2. profane words (esp. goddam and ____ as hell)
3. repetition of certain phrases (“kills me,” “I really mean it”)
4. vagueness (“and stuff”)
5. exaggeration (“in about a thousand magazines”)
6. contradiction (“I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.”)
7. avoidance (“My hand hurts me…I don’t care much.”)
8. digression (everywhere apparently)
Warnings:
 Remember that Holden does not say everything that he thinks. Neither should you. Look back at how he
talks to teachers and other students. Hint, hint.
 Stay true to Holden’s era. Do not modernize the curses or update the slang. If Holden didn’t use the
word, you can’t use it.
 Talk the talk . . . but dig deeper than just the words. Create a piece of writing that moves as Holden’s
language moves – avoiding, contradicting, digressing – you know.
Criteria
1
Students will
choose specific
words to reflect the
main character's
age, personality,
and point of view.
No evidence that
specific words were
chosen to support
the character's
personality.
2
Attempt to use
vocabulary that
reflects character's
age and point of
view.
3
4
Total
Word choice is
Carefully chosen and ____
appropriate to the arranged words
character's age and clearly reflect the
reflects the
character's age,
character's feelings personality, and point
throughout the
of view.
story.
Students will use Sentences are poorly Sentences have
Sentence length and Sentence length and ____
sentence length
constructed and
some construction structure connects to structure is varied in
and structure to
show little
errors, but these
the character's age such a way that all
reflect character's relationship to the errors tie loosely into and personality.
sentences connect
age and
character's
the character's
naturally to the
personality.
personality.
personality.
character.
Students will
Story sounds stilted Story occasionally Rhythm of the story Story flows naturally ____
write in such a way and unnatural when flows with a rhythm clearly connects to when read, clearly
that the rhythm of read aloud, showing connected to the
the character's
capturing the rhythm
the writing will
no connection to the main character, but thoughts and
of the character's
"sound" like the
character.
it is an inconsistent personality.
thoughts and
character
rhythm.
personality.
developed when
read aloud.