Literary Analysis Rubric
Catcher in the Rye Mini Essay
One of the fundamental questions that remains at the end of J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is whether or not Holden is ready to confront the challenges and complexities of adulthood. Is Holden any better off at the conclusion of the novel than he was at the beginning of the novel? Were the requirements of a bildungsroman fulfilled? Some critics argue that Salinger gives definite clues about Holden’s growth and readiness to make the transition to adulthood. Others argue that Salinger has not given the reader sufficient evidence of Holden’s maturity or of new insights, rendering Holden essentially a static character.
In a short paper of fewer than 600 words, argue whether Salinger portrays Holden as a static or dynamic character. DO NOT WRITE AN INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH OR CONCLUSION. Begin with your thesis, then chart Holden’s progression or lack of progression in three body paragraphs, ending the 3rd paragraph with your final analysis and an extension.
You must use at least 3 supporting examples from the novel (these may be direct quotes or just examples) and at least 2 analytical quotes (direct or indirect) from an outside source. Please include a properly formatted Works Cited page.
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Be very careful in choosing your analytical quotes. Make sure the quotes support your viewpoint. Remember, analytical quotes provide an opinion, not a fact. The quote should be a subjective statement that enhances your argument. Examples of good analytical quotes:
DIRECT: John Aldridge writes that in the end, “Holden remains what he was in the beginning- cynical, defiant, and blind. As for the reader, there is identification, but no insight; a sense of pathos, but not tragedy" (131).
INDIRECT: Charles Kegel believes that at the novel’s end, Holden will no longer submit to the phoniness of life, but will attain an attitude of tolerance, understanding, and love which will make his life endurable. (56)
An excellent place to begin looking for a quote is the library’s Subscription Databases page, under Literature/Authors. Try Gale Student Resources, Literary Resource Center or Literary Reference Center and be sure to search for critical analyses of The Catcher in the Rye. You may have to do some digging the find 2 effective quotes.
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A. Do not use:
1. contractions
2. first or second person
3. slang or clichés
4. “due to”
5. “This quote means,” “This shows that”
6. “In conclusion”
B. Do use:
1. present tense for literature
2. Novel and play titles underlined; poems and short stories in quotation marks
3. Introduce author and title of work in first sentence
Literary Analysis Rubric (75 pts)
Criteria
n Opening sentence that identifies author, title, and thesis
n Uses at least 3 examples from the book to help answer the question
n Supports with appropriate evidence
n Contains at least 2 analytical quotes from an outside source
n Analyzes the significance of each quote
n All quotes are properly integrated and cited
n Stylistic maturity – concision of language, word choice, clarity, use of literary terms, sentence structure
n No errors in grammar, spelling, or mechanics
n MLA format
n Properly formatted Works Cited page with novel and outside source
n Organized and focused
n Makes a strong, thesis-driven point
A.P. Scoring
8-9: Exemplary Response - Responds fully with strong supporting points, appropriate textual evidence, stylistic maturity; meets all above criteria
7: Good Response - Responds correctly, but less effectively, less specifically, less maturely than 8 and 9 papers; meets most above criteria
5-6: Adequate Response - simplistic, imprecise, vague, disorganized, unsupported responses; meets some of above criteria
4: Unsatisfactory Response - Inaccurate, lacking evidence, excessive errors; meets little of criteria
1-3: Failing Response – Fails to respond to the question
Rubric Scoring Conversion
9 = A 70-75 pts
8 = A- 68-69 pts
7 = B 63-67 pts
6 = B- 60-62 pts
5 = C 53-59 pts
4 = C- or D 49-54 pts
1-3 = F 0 – 48 pts
Score determinations within each range
will be based on level of adherence to criteria.
CONVENTIONS: For each mistake in spelling, punctuation, grammar, or MLA formatting, you will lose a point from your overall score.