1. art and entertainment
2. books and literature

TOWNSHIP OF OCEAN SCHOOLS
Humanities Department
English, Fine Arts, Library
550 West Park Avenue
Oakhurst, NJ 07755
(732) 531-5650 ext. 1007
jvannosdall@oceanschools.org
Jayne VanNosdall
Supervisor
Honors English II Summer Assignment
Students who have been recommended to Honors English II will be required to complete a
summer reading assignment and essay in order to prepare for the challenges of next year and AP
testing in grades 11 and 12. Students are required to read the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by
J.D. Salinger. While reading the novel, take active notes on author’s theme(s), plot development,
character development and other literary devices. Essays will be submitted on the first day of the
fall or spring semester. In addition, students will take an assessment test to demonstrate
comprehension of the novel. Be sure to follow all guidelines for literary analysis.
The essay should begin with an Introduction to the novel, general statement of content,
followed by a Strong Thesis to prove with solid supporting details from the novel. The support
will consist of references to the novel as well as actual quotes. Students need to find at least
three main points to support the thesis.
Five Paragraph essay (Introduction, 3 body paragraphs with a main point in each which will
also include a direct quote from the book to support each idea, and a conclusion paragraph)
Focus areas:
1. A clear thesis statement at the end of the introduction.
2. Direct textual support of the thesis statement with specific examples from the novel.
3. A minimum of three (3) direct quotes from the novel- with page numbers in parentheses
following the sentence taken from the book. (Internal citations)
4. Correct quotation punctuation and commas. Avoid using “you” or “I”
5. Use complete sentences and write in the literary present tense about fiction.
Possible Essay topics: (Choose one)
1. Holden makes up elaborate lies. What advantages and problems does this give him? How does
he feel about telling lies all of the time?
2. Holden swears a great deal yet is very upset by the words he sees on the walls at Phoebe’s
school. Is there a double standard? Is obscenity acceptable sometimes and not others?
3. Holden wants to be a “catcher in the rye.” What does this mean? What abilities does this
require? Can Holden do this?
4. Choose one of the symbols Holden discusses in the book and explain its role. (i.e. the ducks,
Allie’s baseball mitt, his hat).
Feel free to email me with questions or possible topics! taraoneill@oceanschools.org
Sincerely,
Ms. O’Neill
Honors English II teacher
Jayne VanNosdall
Humanities Supervisor