8th grade English: Ongoing assignment.
A creative writing assignment for eighth graders
Due dates below – No Extensions
In Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s voice carries the narrative. His tone is crucial to our understanding of Holden, and the manner in which he relates his experiences tells us more about him than just the experiences themselves.
I am asking you to write a 2-3 page (MAXIMUM) first person, semi-autobiographical narrative. In it, you must establish a strong, clear voice, and you should relate a finite experience, which occurred within a finite amount of time. This will help you stay within the page number limit!
1) Choose an experience you can encompass in a beginning, middle and end. It should be one that you are comfortable discussing, though you may embellish as much as you like - so, it is based on a real life experience, BUT not all of it is factual.
2) Begin by introducing your main character (possibly you, but not necessarily - you can change all or some of the names) as Holden does. Decide on your tone and how you want your character to feel about the event in the story.
3) Tell the story, making it interesting with details, descriptions and a few digressions to support your specifics.
4) Enjoy the written word, but also listen to it read aloud. How does it sound?
Schedule
Idea for paper due Tuesday March 27
First paragraph due Thursday April 5
Rough draft due Tuesday April 10
Polished draft due Friday April 13
Be prepared to read these with the class the week of April 16, 2012
