Unit 1: J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye
Close-reading strategies to use for reading a whole class novel and preparing to write an argumentative Essay :How to come up with a theme and a thesis statement using "The Story of an Hour:" |
Essential Questions:
What should I expect from this unit?
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ELA 10
The Catcher in the Rye
Final Argumentative Essay Topics
After close reading & thoroughly exploring The Catcher in the Rye, you are now ready to write a literary based argumentative essay. In this essay, you will demonstrate your understanding of the novel by choosing a topic and defending your opinion on it. You must use quotes from the novel (primary text), as well as research from secondary sources support your thesis statement.
In order get you thinking about what you will write about, please free write on one of the possible essay topics below.
Possible essay topics:
Childhood vs Adulthood
Self Identity / Independence
Teen Struggle – What is universal about the teenage struggle?
Societal Norms (Society of the 1950s)
Women
2. Explore Holden’s character through these questions. Make sure you have evidence for your answer:Is Holden a reliable or unreliable narrator?
Is Holden depressed?
Does Holden love knowledge?
Can Holden be “the catcher in the rye?”
How have the 1950s affected affected Holden’s character?
OTHER TOPICS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS:
3. Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned in so many schools? Should it have been banned? Provide evidence as to why might one agree that it should be banned? Why might one disagree? Find evidence from the text to back up each side.
4. Why did Mark David Chapman hold The Catcher in the Rye after Lennon’s assassination? Why might a person use this as a manifesto? How could someone have misinterpreted Holden?
5. Why is symbolism important in the novel? Pick a symbol and analyze it. Explain its importance to enhancing Holden’s characterization.
6. Write a comparative essay: Compare Holden to another coming-of age teenager from a different book. For example, you can compare Holden to Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. What do they have in common? What is different? Can you relate this to the teenage struggle? (If you choose this topic, your thesis needs to reference both texts)
7. Choose your own topic! What is it? ________________________________________________ Make sure you get it approved.
Regardless of the topic you essay should include:
A well developed thesis that includes and claim and a counterclaim
Evidence from the text (primary source – you have all these notes in your notebook!!!) in the form of quotes and your own analysis that backs up your thesis (both your claim and counterclaim. Your counterclaim needs to be supported by valid evidence found from the text)
Evidence from secondary sources
The Catcher in the Rye
Final Argumentative Essay Topics
After close reading & thoroughly exploring The Catcher in the Rye, you are now ready to write a literary based argumentative essay. In this essay, you will demonstrate your understanding of the novel by choosing a topic and defending your opinion on it. You must use quotes from the novel (primary text), as well as research from secondary sources support your thesis statement.
In order get you thinking about what you will write about, please free write on one of the possible essay topics below.
Possible essay topics:
- Explore the various topics/ themes found in the book. In order come up with a theme ask your self what is the author trying to say about _________topic through this book?
Childhood vs Adulthood
Self Identity / Independence
Teen Struggle – What is universal about the teenage struggle?
Societal Norms (Society of the 1950s)
Women
2. Explore Holden’s character through these questions. Make sure you have evidence for your answer:Is Holden a reliable or unreliable narrator?
Is Holden depressed?
Does Holden love knowledge?
Can Holden be “the catcher in the rye?”
How have the 1950s affected affected Holden’s character?
OTHER TOPICS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS:
3. Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned in so many schools? Should it have been banned? Provide evidence as to why might one agree that it should be banned? Why might one disagree? Find evidence from the text to back up each side.
4. Why did Mark David Chapman hold The Catcher in the Rye after Lennon’s assassination? Why might a person use this as a manifesto? How could someone have misinterpreted Holden?
5. Why is symbolism important in the novel? Pick a symbol and analyze it. Explain its importance to enhancing Holden’s characterization.
6. Write a comparative essay: Compare Holden to another coming-of age teenager from a different book. For example, you can compare Holden to Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. What do they have in common? What is different? Can you relate this to the teenage struggle? (If you choose this topic, your thesis needs to reference both texts)
7. Choose your own topic! What is it? ________________________________________________ Make sure you get it approved.
Regardless of the topic you essay should include:
A well developed thesis that includes and claim and a counterclaim
Evidence from the text (primary source – you have all these notes in your notebook!!!) in the form of quotes and your own analysis that backs up your thesis (both your claim and counterclaim. Your counterclaim needs to be supported by valid evidence found from the text)
Evidence from secondary sources
The Works Cited Page
should be a separate page attached to your essay where the reader can find all the sources you cited—, including the primary source. It should be alphabetized by last name.
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
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—Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Little Brown and Company. 1945. Print.
Lomazoff, Eric. “The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.” 1996. Print (Handout)
J.D. Salinger: The Catcher in the Rye and Other Works. Print. (Handout).
—In your essay:
(Salinger, 25).
(Lamazoff, 2).
(Lit Analysis, 65).
should be a separate page attached to your essay where the reader can find all the sources you cited—, including the primary source. It should be alphabetized by last name.
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
--
—Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Little Brown and Company. 1945. Print.
Lomazoff, Eric. “The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.” 1996. Print (Handout)
J.D. Salinger: The Catcher in the Rye and Other Works. Print. (Handout).
—In your essay:
(Salinger, 25).
(Lamazoff, 2).
(Lit Analysis, 65).
notes_about_writing_from_analysis.docx |