EDSC 304 Teacher Lecture

1. The Catcher in the Rye
Summary
How to Format and Write an Essay

2. Objectives and Standards
• RL 9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.
• RL 9-10. 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with
multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a
text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or
develop the theme.
• W 9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of
substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.

3. Before We Start… (Educational Hook)
• Take 30-45 seconds to think and write down one moment in
the novel that you believe to be the most important for
Holden Caufield’s character development

4. Educational Hook cont.
• Now write down why you believe that one moment is more
important than others in the novel
• For now, you do not have to go into great detail, a few
sentences is fine

5. Summary Activity
• Turn to the person next to you and discuss the most
important parts of the novel with them
• If there are disagreements, discuss with your partner why
you believe certain events in the novel are more important
than others
• Spend 5-10 minutes discussing and writing down any ideas
that may have been brought up during your conversation

6. Summary Video

7. Did you Write Everything Down?
• Take the time to write down any key events mentioned in the
summary video that you originally did not have written down
• You will constantly be referring to these key moments in the
novel throughout your essay

8. Before Writing…
• Select 3 key moments in the story that you believe impacted
Holden Caulfield’s character the most
• Organize these important moments from least to most
important
• We will be creating a graphic organizer that will serve as a
starting point for your essay

9. Graphic Organizer Example

10. What are the Purpose of Graphic Organizers?
• Graphic Organizers allow your ideas to be organized in one
easily readable and accessible area
• While they may seem like an additional assignment, they
save time while writing an essay
• You wont have to search for ideas while writing an essay if you
already have them before you begin writing

11. Now You Try
• Create a Graphic Organizer using the three events in the novel you
discussed with your partner earlier in class
• You may use any format that you comfortable with such as a
sequence of events chart
• When finished, share your graphic organizer with a partner and
quickly make sure your partner has done the assignment right

12. Intro
• An intro paragraph does not have to be fancy
• Many times, intro paragraphs are difficult. They become much
easier if done after the rest of the essay is written.
• Should begin with a simple sentence stating the name of the
novel and its author followed by 2-3 sentences of background
information/summary of the novel
• The final sentence of the intro should be a thesis statement
listing the three key moments of the novel you will be discussing
in the body of your essay
• List these in the order you are writing about them

13. Body Paragraphs
• Each body paragraph should summarize and analyze one of
the three key events you chose to discuss
• Often, students summarize more than they analyze
• Your audience is someone who has already read the book
so all I need is the context of the scene
• Argue why you believe these moments in the novel are more
important for Holden’s character development than others

14. Conclusion
• Conclusions should not just be a rephrased intro paragraph
• The conclusion should restate your thesis statement and
include details mentioned in the body of your essay
• It should also include details about what your arguments
were in your body paragraph
• Lastly, you should leave readers with a question about the
novels theme and relate it to the real world

15. Intro Practice
• Now that you know how to write an effective essay and you
have a graphic organizer completed, write a rough draft intro
paragraph
• Do not worry about including a lot of background
information now
• Focus on completing your thesis and setting up your body
paragraphs before the end of class