Catcher in the Rye Letters



Catcher in the Rye Letters

Project Summary: Write two personal letters from a character to Holden Caulfield and two personal letters from Holden Caulfield to another character. The first set of two letters should cover content and characters from the first half of the book, while the second set of two letters should cover content and characters from the second half of the book.

Purpose: The letters should reveal at least eight plot details but more importantly substantial insights into the character’s understanding and relationship with Holden Caulfield. To receive a grade, please highlight and number the plot details in the left-hand margin and write the word count on the bottom like this: (282 words).

Writer’s Role: To write letters from the point of view of a character in the book The Catcher in the Rye.

Audience: The recipient of the letter

Form: Personal letters 200 to 300 words long with at least two or three paragraphs

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Holistic Scoring Rubric Name:

50/50 Development of ideas is ample, specific, and logical. A clear focus is maintained. The organization of the letter is clear. Smooth transitions reflect the writer's logic and are integrated into the letters. The letters show a powerful command of language. Sentences are varied and word choice is varied and precise to reflect the individual voice, tone, and diction of your chosen character. Eight specific plot details introduced smoothly reveal meaningful and essential aspects of the relationship between Holden Caulfield and the other character.

44/50 Development of ideas is specific and logical. A clear focus is maintained. The organization of the letter is clear.

Effective transitions reflect the writer's logic and are integrated into the letters. The letters show a good command of language. Sentences are often varied and word choice is effective to reflect the individual voice, tone, and diction of your chosen character. Eight specific plot details introduced smoothly reveal significant aspects of the relationship between Holden Caulfield and the other character.

38/50 Development of ideas is adequate. A focus is mostly maintained. The organization of the letter is somewhat clear.

Some transitions reflect the writer's logic and are usually integrated into the letters. The letters show an adequate command of language. Sentences are somewhat varied and word choice mostly reflects the individual voice, tone, and diction of your chosen character. Eight specific plot details introduced smoothly reveal aspects of the relationship between Holden Caulfield and the other character.

32/50 Development of ideas is adequate but tenuous. A focus is sometimes maintained. The organization of the letter is not always clear. Transitions are simple and may fail to create a smooth flow. The letters show an adequate command of language. Sentences are not varied and word choice mostly reflects the individual voice, tone, and diction of your chosen character. Eight specific plot details introduced smoothly reveal snippets of the relationship between Holden Caulfield and the other character.

26/50 Development of ideas is tenuous. A focus is not maintained. The organization of the letter is often not clear. Transitions

are simple and may fail to create a smooth flow. The letters show an tenuous command of language. Sentences are not varied and word choice mostly reflects the individual voice, tone, and diction of your chosen character. Eight specific plot details introduced smoothly reveal snippets of the relationship between Holden Caulfield and the other character.

Pencey Preparatory Academy

Since 1888, we have molding boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men! (1)

Mr. Lloyd Spencer

1724 Anthony Wayne Avenue (2)

Agerstown, PA 67223 (3)

Saturday, December 18, 1949

Dear Holden:

Merry Christmas, my boy! I hope your trip back to New York went well. (4) I just wanted to write you a short letter to tell you a few things that I forgot to mention when you stopped by to say goodbye this afternoon.

I must admit that I am very concerned about you. Why? It seems to me that you are absolutely unconcerned about your future. You said so yourself. As I was trying to tell you, Holden, life really is a game that you play according to the rules. Right now, the rules for you are to attend all of your classes each day, turn in your assignments, and get good grades so that you can attend an excellent college. That’s all there is to it!

You are a very intelligent young man, and you have so much academic potential. You have a contribution to make, but it seems to me after our conversation that you don’t know what you’re going to do next. Wherever you end up, keep this in mind: As we discussed in History class, in every ancient and modern society from Pharaonic Egypt to the present, it’s the educated class of people who make a difference. Once again, I wish you the best of luck. May you rise to meet your potential.

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Lloyd Spencer

p.s. Mrs. Spencer says to stop by sometime for her world famous hot chocolate. (266 words)

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