Each Journal Entry
= 10 points
All Journal Entries
Due on Fridays
Give evidence to
support opinion
Show thought and
insight in writing
TUFF TIMES
JOURNAL
Grade
A (9-10 points)
B (8 points)
C (7 points)
Redo (6 or below)
Must be legible
and
understandable
Expectations
7 or more sentences, clear, easy to understand, uses insight and evidence to
answer prompt, has mostly proper grammar and spelling
6 sentences, clear, easy to understand, uses insight to answer prompt, has mostly
proper grammar and spelling
5 sentences, some parts are hard to understand, answers prompt, has mostly
proper grammar and spelling
4 or less sentences, hard to understand, does not answer prompt or minimally
answers prompt, grammar and spelling hinders ability to understand writing
Week 1
Points:_______
Day 1 - Have you ever felt like an “outsider?” Write down your experience.
Day 2 - Are you the same on the inside as you are on the outside or do you project a
“public” identity and maintain a “private” identity to yourself and your family?
Week 1
Points:_______
Day 3 – How does the setting, including time period and place affect the story? Does
your setting (where you live, the current time period) affect your life?
Day 4 - What is your personal identity? What is your group of friends’ identity?
Week 2
Points:_______
Day 1 - What is Ponyboy’s personal identity? What is his group of friend’s identity?
Day 2 – Why don’t the Greasers and Socs get along? Is the relationship between the
Greasers and Socs similar to any relationships in today’s world?
Week 2
Points:_______
Day 3 - Do you think all people deserve respect regardless of who they are, where
they live, or how much money they make? Why or why not?
Day 4 - Cherry says that she and her middle-class friends are caught up in a rat race
of wanting possessions and never being satisfied with them when they get them.
What do you find right or wrong about that statement?
Week 3
Points:_______
Day 1 – Discuss how Johnny reacted the night he and Ponyboy were attacked by
the Socs. How would you have handled the situation?
Day 2 – The book presents stereotypical pictures of “Greasers” and “Socs.” Describe
how each group is portrayed. Are these portrayals stereotypes? Why or why not?
Week 3
Points:_______
Day 3 - Why is Ponyboy reluctant to have his hair cut? Why it is so important to him?
Is there anything in your appearance about which you feel that strongly?
Day 4 - Do financial inequalities hinder a person’s ability to make friends? Do friends
need to be financial in similar circumstances?
Week 4
Points:_______
Day 1 – How does where a person lives influence their identity? Is Darry’s identity
influenced by where he lives?
Day 2 – How are you similar and different to Ponyboy? (discuss his actions, ideas and
thoughts compared to yours)
Week 4
Points:_______
Day 3 - Why do you think Johnny and Ponyboy turned to Dally for help? Who would
you turn to for help?
Day 4 - The media (newspapers) printed articles about the church fire and Ponyboy’s
family, causing some people to look at them differently. How does the media
(newspapers, TV, the Internet) impact your own life, your own identity?
Week 5
Points:_______
Day 1 – Discuss a time when the Greasers acted more like a family and a time the
Greasers acted more like a gang.
Day 2 – How is Cherry’s identity different when she is with the Socs compared to
when she is with Ponyboy?
Week 5
Points:_______
Day 3 - Why did Ponyboy go to the rumble? Would you go to the rumble if you were
in the same condition as Ponyboy?
Day 4 - Why does Johnny tell Dally and Ponyboy that fighting is useless? Do you
agree with Johnny? Why or why not? Is there a time when fighting is ok?
Week 6
Points:_______
Day 1 – Do you agree with Ponyboy’s opinion about Dally’s actions? Why or why
not? What would you do if you were there?
Day 2 – What are some of the major problems the teens in “The Outsiders” face? Are
these similar or different from problems that teens face now?
Week 6
Points:_______
Day 3 – Why do you think Darry treats Pony Boy the way he does? Does Darry love
Pony Boy or is he “just putting up” with Pony Boy until he turns 18?
Day 4 – What do you think will happen to The Curtis family? What do you think will
happen to the group of greasers?