the outsiders essay assignment

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The Outsiders Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of social and/or class division in the novel. Is the rivalry senseless? What motivates the rivalry between groups?

Essay Topic 2

What elements in the novel make the story more real? Discuss elements like point of view, characters, and how thematic elements like violence are handled.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the title of the novel. Who is an "outsider" throughout the story, and what makes that person an "outsider"? What other interpretations of the title are there?

Essay Topic 4

Explain the similarities between the greasers and the Socs. How are they not really all that different from each other? Why does each group think the other is better off? What specific events or conversations in the novel indicate that the two groups have some things in common?

Essay Topic 5

Describe the setting of the novel. What time period is it, and...

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The Outsiders

By s. e. hinton, the outsiders essay questions.

Compare the characters of Bob and Dally.

On the surface, Bob and Dally couldn't be more different. However, the two boys are linked together by the phrase, "Next time you want a broad, pick up your own kind." Right before the Socs attack Ponyboy and Johnny, in the fight that results in Johnny killing Bob, Bob states the reasoning for the attack. He wants the Greasers to know their place in society, and to stay away from Soc girls. Later, in Chapter 6, Dally echoes Bob's words when he explains that Cherry is acting as a spy for the Greasers, adding: "Man, next time I want a broad I'll pick up my own kind." Ponyboy remembers Bob saying this not even a week before. Both boys are victims of the violence between the Socs and the Greasers, and die before the story is over. They both have violent tendencies, look for fights, and end up losing their lives because of it; more important, both draw ideological lines in the sand.

Discuss the relationship between Johnny and Dally.

Johnny feels hero-worship toward Dally, and thinks of him as the most gallant of all the gang. Dally wants to protect Johnny and keep him from turning out the way he himself has. As they drive back to the church in Chapter 5, he explains, "You get hardened in jail. I don't want that to happen to you. Like it happened to me..." After Johnny dies, Dally reacts with uncharacteristic emotion. Ponyboy realizes that "Johnny was the only thing Dally loved. And now Johnny was gone."

Discuss the relationship between Ponyboy and Darry, and how it changes over the course of the novel.

At the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy resents Darry for being too strict and always bothering him for not using his head. He recognizes the sacrifices that Darry has made to raise his two little brothers, but still thinks Darry just doesn't care for him at all.

But in Chapter 5, when Soda and Darry come to the hospital, Ponyboy has a revelation. He sees his oldest brother cry for the first time in years - he didn't even cry at their parents' funeral - and realizes that "Darry did care about me, maybe as much as he cared about Soda, and because he cared he was trying too hard to make something of me." He understands that Darry is terrified of losing another person he loves, and wonders "how I could ever have thought him hard and unfeeling."

In Chapter 10, when Ponyboy wakes up momentarily, he asks Soda if Darry is sorry he's sick. He also worries throughout the chapter that maybe he didn't ask for Darry while he was delirious, but Soda finally confirms that he did. This concern for Darry's feelings is a huge change from the way Ponyboy regarded his oldest brother in the beginning of the novel. Now he is worried that, because deep down he feels he can relate better to Soda, he might have left Darry out in his unconscious babbling.

How do Ponyboy's feelings toward Randy reflect the conflict between the Socs and the Greasers?

At first, Ponyboy sees Randy as a violent Soc to be avoided; he is Marcia's boyfriend, and is involved in jumping the Greasers. But in Chapter 7, they have a conversation in Randy's car, and Randy explains why he is leaving town instead of attending the rumble. He says, "You can't win, even if you whip us. You'll still be where you were before - at the bottom. And we'll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn't prove a thing. We'll forget it if you win, or if you don't. Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs." Ponyboy begins to see Randy as someone who can appreciate sunsets, and feels a connection to him regardless of their different social statuses.

However, in Chapter 11 when Randy comes to visit Ponyboy at home, Ponyboy's denial about Johnny's death and the events leading up to it cause a rift between the two boys again. Ponyboy decides, "He was just like all the rest of the Socs. Cold-blooded and mean."

What do Johnny's last words mean?

Johnny's last words echo in Chapter 12 when Ponyboy breaks a bottle to defend himself against the Socs. Two-Bit says, "Ponyboy, listen, don't get tough. You're not like the rest of us and don't try to be..." Ponyboy is confused by what Two-Bit means, since he felt nothing when the Socs approached him. But he proves that he is still "gold" by bending down to pick up the pieces of broken glass from the ground without even thinking about it.

How does Gone with the Wind represent an ideal for Johnny?

Johnny puts his last note to Ponyboy inside his copy of Gone with the Wind . The gallantry of the Southern gentlemen in the book, who rode to their certain deaths bravely, inspires Johnny and reminds him of Dally. This allows Ponyboy to see Dally in that light, too, and to consider that his death might have been gallant. Johnny dies as a result of rescuing children from the fire in the church, so in that way he lives up to the ideal in Gone with the Wind .

What is the difference between Ponyboy the narrator and Ponyboy the character?

It is always clear that Ponyboy is narrating The Outsiders from a point in the future, after the events of the story have taken place. However, this rift between narrator and character becomes definite in Chapter 11, when Ponyboy's pretending makes him an unreliable narrator for the first time in the story. When Randy comes to visit, Ponyboy says that he was the one who killed Bob, and that Johnny is not dead. He repeats it aloud to convince himself of it. But as narrator, he says, "Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob's getting killed." The reader has depended upon Ponyboy's narration to dictate the events of the story, and now the frame of reference is thrown off, since we know he has moved into an alternate reality.

Discuss Ponyboy's "dreaming", particularly in regard to Johnny's death.

Ponyboy's reaction to Johnny's death has been foreshadowed by Ponyboy's tendency to create alternate realities for himself throughout the story, but the difference is that "this time my dreaming worked. I convinced myself that he wasn't dead." Throughout the story, Ponyboy creates these alternate realities in order to cope with situations he feels are unbearable. For instance, in Chapter 3 he dreams of a life in the country, with his parents still alive and Darry kind and caring again. What is important to note is that he concedes that his dreams are only dreams, and that he admits to use them as a mode of escape.

Describe how eyes are used as a characterization technique.

Ponyboy's view of other characters is often reflected by his interpretation of their eyes. For example, he says that "Darry's eyes are his own. He's got eyes that are like two pieces of pale blue-green ice. They've got a determined set to them, like the rest of him... he would be real handsome if his eyes weren't so cold." Darry's eyes reflect Ponyboy's view of his oldest brother as "hardly human." In contrast, Sodapop's eyes are "dark brown - lively, dancing, recklessly laughing eyes that can be gentle and sympathetic one moment and blazing with anger the next." Johnny is defined by his emotive eyes; the difference between his mother and him is clear to Ponyboy because of their eyes: "Johnnycake's eyes were fearful and sensitive; hers were cheap and hard."

In what way is The Outsiders a call to action?

The Outsiders ends with its own opening sentence, as Ponyboy begins to write his assignment for English class, and it becomes clear that the story the reader has just finished is the assignment itself. It is inspired by Johnny's letter to Ponyboy, in which he explains what he meant by his last words: "Stay gold." There is no reason for lives to be cut short because of senseless violence between the Greasers and the Socs. Ponyboy feels called to action by Johnny's note, and wants to save the lives of other hoods who might end up like Dally. In Chapter 12, this goal is underlined:

"There should be some help, someone should tell them before it was too late. Someone should tell their side of the story, and maybe people would understand then and wouldn't be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore."

The Outsiders Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Outsiders is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

on what page does cherry has an emotional connection

Cherry no longer looked sick, only sad. "I'll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids, the West-side Socs. I'll tell you something, Ponyboy, and it may come as a surprise. We have troubles you've never even heard of. You want to know...

Chapter 7 through 9 questions

A) Soda and Sandy’s relationship is over because Sandy got pregnant and went to live with her grandmother in Florida.

"Look," Steve said, surprisingly angry, "does he have to draw you a picture? It was either that or get married, and her parents...

why do you think johhny wasn't scared, depsite the obvious danger?

Johnny is a sensitive boy. He cares for others, especially those that are helpless like the children. This is perhaps because he has felt so helpless in his own childhood. It is also probable their cigarettes started the fire.

Study Guide for The Outsiders

The Outsiders study guide contains a biography of author S. E. Hinton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Outsiders
• The Outsiders Summary
• The Outsiders Video
• Character List

Essays for The Outsiders

The Outsiders essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Outsiders written by S. E. Hinton.

• Analysis of the American Reality, Possibility, and Dream found in "Nickel and Dimed" and "The Outsiders"
• Stay Gold, Ponyboy: Historical Models of Childhood in S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders
• The Socioeconomic Triggers of Juvenile Delinquency: Analysis of "The Outsiders"
• Greater Meanings in The Outsiders: A Theater, a Sunset, and a Novel

Lesson Plan for The Outsiders

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Outsiders
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Outsiders Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Outsiders

• Introduction
• Major characters
• Controversy
• Critical reception

77 The Outsiders Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best the outsiders topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting the outsiders topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about the outsiders, ❓ the outsiders essay questions.

• Analysis of The Outsiders From the Perspectives of Social Work Theories and Applications The rivalry between the two gangs the Greasers and the Socs turns into the struggle in the context of social problems.
• Story Analysis of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton Cherry’s attraction to Dallas is of essence in the story since it illustrates that the conflict between the two teenage groups is reconcilable.”I had to.
• “Avatar” by Cameron and “The Outsiders” by Coppola: Comparison It is one of the main messages of the film. The movie shows the antagonistic attitude of people to the inhabitants of the planet of Pandora.
• “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton He thinks that the law is a joke. He was the gang leader of the Socs.
• Ponyboy’s Evolution in Hinton’s “The Outsiders” Two of Ponyboy’s friends die, and he sees a lot of violence in the streets. He is still a part of the gang, and he thinks that violence is a part of their life.
• The Outsiders by Susan Eloise Hinton Therefore, it is crucial to get acquainted with the essence of the novel and analyze its main characters to genuinely comprehend Hinton’s view on the challenges of the teenage age within the framework of this […]
• The Influence of Bad Parenting or the Lack of Parents in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Conflict in “The Outsiders” and the Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
• “The Outsiders”: Ponyboy Compared to Dally
• The Three Life Lessons Learned by Ponyboy in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Wrong Thing for the Wrong Reasons in “Tom Sawyer” and “The Outsiders”
• The Idea of Social Class in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Common Issues of Dependence in “A Separate Peace” and “The Outsiders”
• The Characters of Jack and Ralph in “Lord of the Flies” and the Character of Pony in “The Outsiders”
• The Socioeconomic Triggers of Juvenile Delinquency: Analysis of “The Outsiders”
• The Use of Stereotypes in “The Outsiders”
• Overcoming Obstacles in “The Outsiders” and “The Time Traveler”
• Common Issues Highlighted in “The Outsiders” and “Saints and Roughnecks”
• The Act of Self Defense in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Banning of Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Hinton’s “The Outsiders” in U.S. Schools
• The Relationship Between Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• “The Outsiders”: Codependence Analysis of Business Cycles in Europe
• The Similarities Between Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The True Meaning of a Hero in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Positive and Negative Impacts of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Definition of a Social Class in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Ups and Downs of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Comparing the Differences Between Johnny and Dally in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Different Types of People in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Development of Two Social Outcasts Into Strong and Dependable Individuals in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Outsiders”
• The Five Stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Death Presented in the Novels “Of Mice and Men” and “The Outsiders”
• An Analysis of the Story of Brotherhood in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Hero’s Journey in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Story of Conflict Between the Greasers and the Socs in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Idea of Social Acceptance in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Concepts of Conformity and Staying True to One’s Self Portrayed in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Character of Cherry Valance in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Theme of Alienation in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Invisible Man,” “Not Like Other Boys,” and “The Outsiders”
• The Rivalry Between “The West Side Story” and “The Outsiders”
• The Significance of Stereotypes Illustrated in Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Courage, Selflessness, and Care of Johnny Cade in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Three Deaths in Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Inspiration From the Authors’ Lives in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Difference Between the Greasers and Socs in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Events in Life That Can Induce the Loss of Innocence in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” and Richard Wright’s “Black Boy”
• What Are the Issues Explored and Techniques Used in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”?
• Who Are Your Close Ties in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”?
• How Does Ponyboy Change Through “The Outsiders”?
• What Are Conflicts of the Main Character Ponyboy Curtis in “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Moral Lesson of “The Outsiders”?
• How Does the Division Between the East Side and the West Side Represent the Conflict Within “The Outsiders”?
• Why Should “The Outsiders” Be Taught in School?
• Is the Violence Shocking, Predictable, Boring, or Melodramatic in “The Outsiders”?
• What Do Johnny’s Last Words Mean in “The Outsiders”?
• How Does the West Side Story Compare to “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Difference Between Ponyboy the Narrator and Ponyboy the Character in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Dally and Johnny Compare in “The Outsiders”?
• What Elements in “The Outsiders” Make the Story More Real?
• How Many Chapters Are in “The Outsiders”?
• What Does Johnny Mean When He Tells Ponyboy “Stay Gold” in “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Most Important Message in “The Outsiders”?
• How Did the Ponyboy’s Loss of Innocence Begin Before “The Outsiders” Begun?
• What Major Themes Are Seen in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Cars Fill the Gap of the Differences Between the Two Socioeconomic Groups in “The Outsiders”?
• What Message Is Implied at the End of “The Outsiders”?
• Which Things in the Story Would Have Remained the Same if Ponyboy’s Parents Had Still Been Alive in “The Outsiders”?
• What Draws Cherry to the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
• What’s the Symbolism of the Switchblade Knife in “The Outsiders”?
• What Are the Reasons Cherry Gets Attracted to the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do “The Outsiders” Relate to the Real World?
• What Are Similarities Between Johnny and Dally in “The Outsiders”?
• What Are the Conflicts Introduced by the Reader at the Start of “The Outsiders”?
• Why Did Dally Tell Johnny Not Turn Himself in “The Outsiders”?
• What Messages Was the Author Trying to Convey by Writing “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Ponyboy’s Feelings Toward Randy Reflect the Conflict Between the Socs and the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
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The Outsiders

73 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapters 11-12

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

What is the significance of the novel’s title? Are there any true outsiders in this book?

Johnny’s last words to Pony are a reference to the Frost poem he heard Pony recite in the church. Do you agree with Johnny’s interpretation of the text? How does this poem help readers understand various characters?

Ponyboy likes watching movies and reading books to escape his reality, but they often mirror it instead. How does the various literature in the novel help him understand parts of his own life?

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Outsiders

Essays on The Outsiders

Prompt examples for "the outsiders" essays, themes of identity and belonging.

Explore the themes of identity and belonging in "The Outsiders." How do the characters' social backgrounds and affiliations shape their sense of self, and how do they seek acceptance and connection?

Conflict and Socioeconomic Disparity

Analyze the portrayal of conflict and socioeconomic disparity in the novel. How do the conflicts between the Greasers and the Socs reflect broader societal issues, and what does the book convey about social class?

Character Development

Discuss the character development of Ponyboy, Johnny, and other key characters in the story. How do their experiences and relationships with each other lead to personal growth and transformation?

Friendship and Loyalty

Examine the themes of friendship and loyalty in "The Outsiders." How do the bonds between the Greasers illustrate the importance of loyalty and support in times of adversity?

Stereotypes and Prejudice

Consider how the novel challenges stereotypes and prejudices. How do the characters defy expectations based on their appearance or social status, and what commentary does this provide on judging others?

The Role of Literature

Analyze the significance of literature, specifically "Gone with the Wind," in the story. How does Ponyboy's appreciation for literature influence his worldview and his relationships with others?

Ponyboy Greasers in The Outsiders

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Compare and Contrast Danny and Dally

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The Influence of Bad Parenting Or The Lack of Parents in The Outsiders, a Novel by S. E. Hinton

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Literary Devices to Present Conflict in 'The Outsiders'

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April 24, 1967

S. E. Hinton

Novel, Young Adult Fiction, Drama, Bildungsroman

Ponyboy Michael Curtis, Johnny Cade, Darrel 'Darry' Curtis, Sodapop Curtis, Dallas Winston, Keith "Two-Bit" Mathews

24 April 1967, by S. E. Hinton

Coming-of-age novel

The Outsiders is about two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider. The book details the conflict between two rival gangs divided by their socioeconomic status: the working-class "greasers" and the upper-class "Socs" (short for Socials).

The main theme of The Outsiders is self-identity vs. group identity. Other themes include society and class, loyalty, love, violence, isolation, appearances, education, choices.

Ponyboy Curtis, Sodapop "Soda" Curtis, Darrel "Darry" Curtis, Johnny Cade, Dallas "Dally" Winston, Curly Shepard, Timothy "Tim" Shepard, Steve Randle, Sherri "Cherry" Valance, Robert "Bob" Sheldon, Randy Adderson, Marcia, Paul Holden, David

The Outsiders was a controversial book at the time of its publication; it is still currently challenged and debated. This book has been banned from some schools and libraries because of the portrayal of gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, strong language/slang, and family dysfunction. However, in many U.S. schools, the book is part of the English curriculum at the middle- or high-school level.

The book was a hit with teenagers across the country. Fifty years later, the book has sold upwards of 15 million copies, become a steady feature on middle school reading lists, inspired a Francis Ford Coppola film of the same name and helped shape an entire literary genre marketed to young adults.On November 5, 2019, the BBC News listed The Outsiders on its list of the 100 most influential novels.

“I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.” “They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.” “You get tough like me and you don't get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin' can touch you...” “Can you see the sunset real good on the West side? You can see it on the East side too.”

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The Outsiders Lesson Plans | Entire Novel Study

This lesson is  Background Information for the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton.

The focus of this lesson includes history of the 1960s and topics like culture, style, music, and cars.

Before reading the novel  The Outsiders , familiarize your students with the culture of the time period as  The Outsiders  is set in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this lesson, your students with be engaged as they take notes from a Powerpoint presentation and answer questions using the accommodating worksheet provided. Students will learn about the history of the 1960s, the clothing of the generation, the music the youth listened to, and other important details from the novel such as: car models, Paul Newman, hitchhiking, and drive-in movie theaters.

Students will also be introduced to the author S. E. Hinton, the gang rivalry present in the novel  The Outsiders , and the genre of Coming of Age literature.

Students will end this lesson with a quick write where they will actually read an excerpt from the story and answer a related prompt.

Have your students answer serious questions about life in order to build anticipation  before reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton.  These open-ended questions will be sure to get your students’ wheels turning and will help bridge connections to the themes in the novel.

After your students are done reading the entire novel, have them reflect on the literature with these  open-ended questions for after reading.

These reflection questions will open up wide conversations and discussions amongst students as well as help them digest and analyze the literature.

Teach your students the  Slang Words and Phrases from the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton  to enhance comprehension and understanding of the plot as well as the time period the novel is set (Oklahoma 1950s).

This activity can work for BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER reading.

Two graphic organizers are included; each make it easy to teach students the definitions of slang terms used throughout the novel. The first graphic organizer is a fun way to prepare students for the novel by having them guess the meaning of each slang word before telling them the actual meaning. The second graphic organizer is a great way to review the text during or after reading as it includes the quote and chapter number where each slang term is used. Answer keys provided.

Also included is a Powerpoint presentation that contains all slang words or phrases with their definitions.

If you are working on a  novel study for  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, these Vocabulary Lists, Practice Activities, and Quizzes  will work perfectly for you!

There are three sets of vocabulary words, divided by chapters. I’ve created graphic organizers for every chapter of words, which includes the definition, part of speech, line from the novel, and the students’ definition in their own words.

Additionally, I have created corresponding practice activities for students to actually use the words independently before being tested on them.

There are three separate quizzes, divided by chapters that require students to use their comprehension skills. The tasks included ensure students will understand the context of each word in a sentence as well as how to write their own sentences using said vocabulary words.

ANSWER KEYS INCLUDED FOR ALL!

If you are doing a novel study for  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, these Before Reading activities  can aid your students with engagement and reading comprehension. Using the word splash technique, students will  make predictions  about what each new chapter will be about.

Students will connect the words provided in the word splash to what they already know and what they’ve been reading in the novel  The Outsiders.  Making predictions is a fun exercise and builds anticipation for students.

Included in this purchase are 12 individual  journal prompts  based on each chapter of the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton.  These journal prompts are meant to be used at the end of every chapter.

Students will reflect on what they’ve just read by connecting their personal opinions and feelings with the major conflicts of each specific chapter. Each prompt is ready to print individually or as a packet!

While completing a novel study for the book  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, have your students answer reading comprehension questions for every chapter  using this organized packet.

Included are 12 sets of questions (for every chapter) which analyze character motives, themes, symbols, irony, dialogue, and basic comprehension of the plot. Detailed answer keys are provided for all questions.

If you want to make sure your students are following along and completing the reading for the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, these simple Reading Checks or Quick Chapter Quizzes  are the way to go! This product works well if your students are reading independently or if you are reading as a class.

These questions are recall questions that are meant to be brief and easy to remember. This is a tool used simply to check that students are completing the independent reading, comprehending the basic information, and/or paying attention during class.

The reading checks are divided by every 3 chapters (Chapters 1-3, Chapters 4-6, Chapters 7-9, Chapters 10-12). There are three different versions of every set of questions (a, b, and c). This is so you can use different quizzes for different classes and avoid cheating (students talk and share answers)!

This product is a Powerpoint presentation only.

To administer quizzes:

• project the questions on your board for students to see
• have students use scrap paper or lined paper to write their answers
• when everyone is done, have students grade each other’s answers by switching papers in class
• review the correct answers out loud and project them on the board
• collect graded quizzes

Answer keys included.

This lesson is a  poem analysis of “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost . This is a perfect side activity for the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, but will also work on its own if you are looking just to teach about the poem itself.

In Chapter 5 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy recites the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay. This poem plays a major role in the novel as it represents the universal message to stay gold and stay pure. Have your students analyze the poem and build their comprehension; it will make analyzing the theme of the book much easier later on! The poem analysis will touch on important literary elements such as: rhyme scheme, tone, theme, metaphor, alliteration, allusion, imagery, and personification.

To enhance their learning and make the lesson more engaging, students will also study a poem with a similar theme. Students will listen to the Bob Dylan song, answer the questions, analyze the lyrics, and then compare and contrast the themes present in both texts.

Have your students analyze characters from  S. E. Hinton’s  The Outsiders  in a fun and engaging way:  Character Collabs !

Your students will use several  characterization  methods to depict each character’s profile, demonstrate their understanding of the literature, and present their final work on a beautiful poster.

This Body Biography Project  is a hands-on approach to learning that enhances retention and inspires students to tap into their creativity.

Students will engage with the novel on a deeper level, encouraging thinking critically, making inferences, and fostering empathy. Additionally, they will learn the importance of collaboration and effective communication.

There are 10 characters from  THE OUTSIDERS  included in this resource:

• Bob Sheldon
• Cherry Valance
• Dallas Winston “Dally”
• Darrel Curtis “Darry”
• Johnny Cade
• Ponyboy Curtis
• Randy Adderson
• Sodapop Curtis
• Steve Randle
• Two-Bit Matthews

Teach your students to  analyze themes in the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton  with this lesson plan. Your students will determine what morals/lessons were learned or taught by specific characters in the novel; they will then evaluate how these lessons were incorporated by the author and provide textual evidence as support—all using a theme graphic organizer! An answer guide is provided for teachers.

Using their literary analysis, students will then write a TDA essay based on one theme of their choice from the novel. Students will choose a theme and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot. Rubric and essay prompt included.

After reading  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, have your students write a personal essay  of their choice using the two options provided. Essay rubrics, prompts, and brainstorming graphic organizers are included for both essay options.

Student choice allows students to pick the topic they are most comfortable talking/writing about. The prompts both relate directly to the novel (one about heroism and one about characterization).

Rubrics focus on: content, style, conventions, focus, and organization.

Each graphic organizer is designed to match the prompt and will guide students to write a cohesive five paragraph essay.

After your students read the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton,  have them complete a  Plot Diagram and Chronological Order Timeline.  These activities help students determine cause and effect relationships between specific events in the story. Finding textual evidence to fill out these charts also show students how and where certain elements of the story connect.

Students will analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop by identifying exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Students will also determine how the plot unfolds and how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. The timeline worksheet also aids students in reading comprehension. Answer keys are provided.

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton Character Comparison Game: Would You Rather?

You’ve probably played the simple game of WOULD YOU RATHER before… where you answer a series of questions that ask would you rather pick one thing or another? For example, would you rather be a SOC or be a GREASER?

In this activity, students will first answer a number of “would you rather” questions about themselves. Then, they will answer those same questions based on what they think Ponyboy Curtis would choose. This requires students to critically think about character motivations and personality traits—plus, it’s great fun.

Afterward, students will write about what they share in common with Ponyboy and how they consider themselves different.

In this lesson, have your students complete a  quote analysis  on the most important quotes in the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton.

Students can complete this activity independently or in groups. I include directions for a jigsaw activity which is a great cooperative learning strategy.

Included is a graphic organizer that divides important quotes by chapters and requires students to identify the speaker as well as explain the significance/ meaning of each quote.

Have your students  analyze symbols and motifs in the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton  using this graphic organizer.

Students will fill out a chart to identify important symbols and then explain the significance of each symbol or motif that is demonstrated in the story.

Answer key included!

Study the four types of  Conflicts from the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton.

Included in this lesson are the definitions and examples of internal and external conflict plus the four specific kinds of conflict:

1) Character vs. Self

2) Character vs. Character

3) Character vs. Nature

4) Character vs. Society

Students must look at examples of conflict from the novel and identify the conflict as one of the four types listed above.

Students must then support their answer with textual evidence.

Lastly students must explain how the conflict is resolved.

Answer key provided.

Analyze Figurative Language in The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton . Students will identify the type of figurative language being used in the quotes provided, and then explain each of their significance and meaning.

Figurative Language definitions are provided for: Allusion, Personification, Simile, Metaphor, Idiom, and Hyperbole.

Students will then write their own sentences using Figurative Language that highlight details from the novel  The Outsiders.

Answer keys provided.

If your class is reading the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton,  you will want them to  analyze the point of view  in the story, to include: what makes an unreliable narrator and what is biased perspective.

In this lesson, students will complete the following:

• Narrator Analysis: Students will analyze the narrator Ponyboy Curtis by considering his personality traits/ and characteristics. Answers included.
• Point of View Perspective Challenge: Students will take a look back at ten scenes from the novel, considering what facts they were given by Ponyboy alone. They will then consider how these events would be different or told differently if they were to take on a different character’s perspective. They will consider how other characters are feeling emotionally in these scenes or how they might feel in hypothetical situations.
• The Trial Point of View Analysis: Students will analyze the trial/hearing that takes place in the novel. Ponyboy is on trial for the murder of Bob, but readers do not hear much about it. Ponyboy was currently in a state of delusion and didn’t understand how the trial was unfolding. Students will write the testimonies of several characters as if they were him or her in court to either defend or defame Ponyboy.
• Constructed Response: Students will learn the definition of an unreliable narrator and reasons why a narrator’s perspective might be compromised. Then, students will write a constructed response that explains why Ponyboy could be considered an unreliable narrator using textual evidence. Possible answers included.

Have your students share their understanding of the novel  The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton  by imaginatively blending their written ideas with colorful images based on information from the text. With this  one-pager reading comprehension project,  students will analyze the literature by determining theme, symbolism, characterization, and more. Students’ artwork make for unique and creative analyses of the literature and also make great bulletin boards!

Included in this purchase is:

• Student directions for the one pager project
• Rubric for the one pager project
• Example one pager
• 10 BLANK TEMPLATES (printable—optional)

Play Bingo with your students as a fun literature review game for the novel,  The Outsiders . This  character review game  includes at least 100 questions that entail information all about the characters from the novel. Questions range from physical appearances to quote identification to character motivation. With this many clues, you will have the opportunity to play SEVERAL rounds with your students without repeating questions. This game entails details from the entire novel  The Outsiders  and should be used as a review after the entire text is read (perfect for before a test). Bingo cards, character clues, and instructions are included. Bingo tokens are not included.

Characters that will be focused on include:

Your students are going to love deciphering and solving puzzles in this spectacularly themed,  The   Outsiders  360° digital escape room.  This activity is designed to work for a laptop, tablet, or smart phone. Students will solve a series of clues based on the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton in order to crack the master lock and escape the Socs! This game entails reading comprehension skills, finding textual evidence, and making inferences . It’s the perfect addition to your novel study, whether just for fun, or to use as a review activity before administering the final test.

Included in this download are teacher instructions, student instructions, the master lock graphic organizer, answer keys, and a reflection sheet (optional).

After a novel study with the book  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton, assess your students with a final test.  This product includes THREE versions of  The Outsiders  test including one  learning support adaptation  modified version.

I like to have multiple versions of tests so that students are less tempted to have “wandering eyes” during the exam. Version A and B are the same in format, but contain different questions, with some questions in different orders.

Version C of this test is adapted/modified for Learning Support students or students with IEPs. To make accommodations for my students in LS, I have chunked questions, added bigger spacing, bigger fonts, less answer choices, and reduced the number of directions in certain sections.

All tests are 50 questions. 20 questions are multiple choice, 5 are short answer, 9 are quote identification, 14 are true or false, and 2 are extended response questions.

Answer keys included for all.

Challenge your students to  analyze the film The Outsiders,  movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola   (1983) and compare/contrast important elements to the classic, coming-of-age novel  The Outsiders by S. E Hinton.

This lesson includes a packet for students to complete during or after viewing the film The Outsiders. Media analysis questions as well as compare/contrast prompts are included with answer keys. Additionally, students will complete an activity that requires them to choose their own celebrity cast of actors and actresses for a hypothetical reboot of The Outsiders film.

Enjoy this extensive  Novel Study  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton  with your students this year! Analyze the literature using these 25 products included in this complete  Unit Plan Bundle.

This novel study will allow students to develop their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills through the novel  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton.

You will have access to a multitude of before, during, and after reading activities like: quizzes, tests, projects, essays, reading questions, vocabulary, background information, plot diagram, graphic organizers, journal prompts, a movie guide, and a DIGITAL ESCAPE ROOM!

BONUS FILE:  Also included in this bundle is a 6 and a half week schedule for teachers to use as a pacing guide. Teacher plans are explained for each day as well as how to best utilize this bundle of products. There are so many choices, you really can personalize this unit plan however you’d like!

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The Outsiders Argument Essay

Engage your students in an argument essay assignment that will challenge them to think about S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders in a new way! This final essay for The Outsiders is a great writing task to get students critically thinking, writing, and supporting their claims with strong evidence! and supporting their claim.

This argument essay includes everything you need in order to assign an essay and go through the writing process with your students!

Here’s what you’ll get:

• an argumentative essay prompt for The Outsiders
• a brainstorming organizer
• a five-paragraph essay outline
• a body paragraph graphic organizer
• two different grading rubrics (a 100-point rubric and a rubric that allows you to write in your own points values)
• a handout for writing a strong counterclaim
• a handout for writing a strong thesis statement
• a peer editing form
• two graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts

You will love how this essay writing resource breaks down the writing process for your students. Your students will love how all of the organizers build on one another to make essay writing a breeze!

Prep is quick and easy… Just print the student pages, gather the materials listed, and you’re ready for a fun and engaging class!

TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lisa W. says, “I really enjoyed the layout of this resource. I gave it to my middle school English Resource students to help with outlining and writing an argumentative paper.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jason C. says, “My students loved the Outsiders and this material really added valuable information to my unit. Thanks.

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You may also like…

→ The Outsiders Novel Unit with 5-week Pacing Guide

→ Academic Vocabulary Program

→ Essay Writing Unit

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