The Outsiders: The Power of Three
PART 1: ANALYSIS
In a multi-paragraph essay,
address the prompt with
correctly embedded text
evidence. See the essay
frame for format. This
section should be typed,
double-spaced and titled.
*MANDATORY
Write a critique of the book
and or one chapter of the
book. Be sure to give
multiple examples from the
text to support your
opinions.
Explain what you think the
Hinton’s purpose in writing
this book was. Possible
themes to explore:
stereotypes, empathy, and
family.
Be sure to give multiple
examples from the text to
support your opinions.
Identity is a major theme
explored in the novel. What
is the message about
identity?
Be sure to give multiple
examples from the text to
support your opinions.
Pony mentions throughout the novel
how unfair life is to those in his
social class. What is Hinton’s
message about equity between
social classes? Can people truly rise
above their given station in life?
Be sure to give multiple examples
from the text to support your
opinions.
Create a unique book jacket
for the novel. The picture
should share Hinton’s
viewpoint on society or on
personal identity. Include a
blurb on the back.
Create a visual plot map for the
novel. You may draw or find
images. These should be neat
and in color. Add explanations.
Draw or find images of the
setting. Explain how setting
impacts character’s
motivations.
Find images and write a brief
background paragraph for four items/
expository links you were curious about.
Be sure and cite your sources.
Hinton mentions in her foreword that
she receives letters “from convicts, and
policeman, teachers, social workers,
and of course, kids” who read and love
and remember her book. Provide a
rationale for the love from the
perspective of three of the five groups
mentioned.
PART 2: FREE CHOICE
CHOOSE TWO MORE
SQUARES.
Complete a creative
interpretation of your Adopt-aGang member. Include details
and drawings in color.
Retell the novel using one
Do you think The Outsiders
quote from each chapter.
has a happy ending? Why/why Include titles for each chapter.
not?
Randy tells Ponyboy that Bob
acted the way he did because
his parents never set limits on
him—they never told him no.
Do you think this is a
believable explanation for
Bob’s behavior? Research
idea: affluenza.
Why did Hinton title the novel
The Outsiders?
Create a Facebook profile for
Use the two poems “Nothing
your adopt a gang member
Gold Can Stay” and “We Wear character. Use details from the
the Mask” to explain two of the novel. Make sure the page
characters or to explain the
reveals who the character really
greasers and the Socs
is and offers a bridge to
experience. The poems are on understanding between the
the back of your plot map.
character and his/her
stereotype.
Create a list of at least five
interview questions for one of the
characters in the book and
answer each question as you
think the character would answer
it. The answers should reveal who
the character really is, offering a
bridge to understanding between
the character and his/her
stereotype.
Write an “I Am” poem for your adopt-a
gang member character. Get a copy of
the poem structure. Be sure the poem
reveals who the character really is and
offers a bridge to understanding
between the character and his/her
stereotype.
Add five visuals to enhance the
meaning.
CHECKLIST:
CHAPTERS 2-12
4-SQUARES
_____________/120
MULTI-PARAGRAPH THEME ONE SQUARE FROM FREE
ESSAY WITH TEXTUAL
CHOICE.
EVIDENCE.
ONE SQUARE FROM FREE
CHOICE.
TEN VOCABULARY WORDS,
DEFINED AND USED IN SENTENCES
ABOUT THE OUTSIDERS.
____________/20
____________/40
____________/20
____________/20
Project due: Wednesday, March 18, with your chapter 4-squares and your vocabulary
sheet.
 Project includes part one (mandatory) and TWO other parts of your choice. A total of
three parts should be completed. Be sure and provide titles for each part (if needed),
so the purpose is clear.
 Ten vocabulary words should be defined and used in sentences about the novel.
 Please email [email protected] by Weds., homeroom, if you need any parts
printed.
 The project will be scored on content, neatness, completeness and effort.*
o ESSAY: 40 POINTS
o EACH ADDITIONAL PART=20 POINTS (two free choice and vocab)
o 4-square packet is a 120 point project.
*Each student will choose a portion to display on the bulletin board.
Friday 3/6 and Monday 3/7: Class time to work on project.
Tuesday: Groups plan think-like research and final project. Each member must submit a one
page report about a topic related to the final product with at least two sources. Notes for report
should be recorded on Cornell Notes pages.
Wednesday: Students individually collect information to help with think like final project. You must
have a source check, Cornell Notes and a one-page abstract of your findings. Due at the
beginning of class, Friday.
Thursday: MOCA!
Friday: Computer lab AND classroom.
Monday, Tuesday:
Think-like Report: Due Diligence in Preparation for Final Product
INSTRUCTIONS: Collect research from at least two-sources about a topic important to your
think-like project. For example, if you are social worker looking at whether Darry is an acceptable
guardian for his siblings in order to present to a judge, you may want to research the law on how
to become a guardian, or look at the factors judges use to keep children together with families.
If you are a psychologist looking at the long-term impact of gang violence on teens, find out the