The Outsiders Reading Guide
Part One: Character Chart
Copy the name of each character into your composition book, or if you prefer, you may do this on the
computer. For each character, record the page number on which they first appear, list three adjectives to
describe them, and copy a quote from the book that best represents who they are and what they are like.
Character’s
Name
Introduced
on page #
3 Adjectives to Describe the
Character
Representative Quote
Page # of
Quote
List of Characters: Ponyboy Curtis, Sodapop Curtis, Darry Curtis, Dally Winston, Johnny Cade, Two-Bit
Mathews, Steve Randle, Cherry Valance, Tim Shepard, Curly Shepard, Bob Sheldon, Randy Anderson, Marcia
Part Two: Vocabulary
Copy each word below into your composition book, or if you prefer, you may do this on the computer. Find
the words in the book and copy down the sentence. Look up the word and write the definition. Then,
either draw a picture to help you remember the definition, or create your own sentence using the word.
Word and Page #
Sentence from the Book
Page
5
24
36
51
54
Word
Madras
Incredulous
Aloofness
Smoldering
Contemptuously
Page
63
69
74
85
99
111
Word
Reluctantly
Eluded
Gorged
Hysterics
Aghast
Reluctantly
Page
117
120
129
Word
Clenching
Conformity
Agony
Page
9
25
37
51
54
Page
63
70
77
87
100
112
Page
117
120
136
Definition
Word
Cowlick
Nonchalantly
Ornery
Unceasingly
Ruefully
Word
Peroxide
Fiend
Jolt
Racking
Exploits
Apparently
Word
Grimacing
Amplifier
Concussion
Page
12
28
38
53
55
Page
64
70
84
89
101
Page
118
121
136
Picture or Sentence
Word
Unfathomable
Shanghaiing
Elite
Finality
Pneumonia
Word
Imploringly
Siege
Keeled
Mimicking
Contemptuously
Word
Superiority
Ruefully
Delirious
Page
19
32
40
53
Page
65
71
84
89
107
Page
119
124
147
Word
Savvy
Rebellious
Bleak
Bootlegging
Page
22
35
40
54
Word
Roguishly
Gallantly
Resignedly
Defiance
Word
Pansy
Indignant
Inhalation
Palomino
Faltered
Page
65
73
84
80
108
Word
Sullenly
Wistfully
Plasma
Radiates
Resemblance
Word
Acrobatics
Contempt
Reference
Page
119
127
Word
Awed
Realization
Part Three: Dialectic Journals
As you read through The Outsiders, you will be keeping a dialectical journal of significant quotes and passages from the
text, accompanied by your commentary. This tool may be used to aid you in class discussions, quiz preparation, and
organizing your written responses for the final.
The quotes and passages you select should be significant in some way, and they should relate to one of the following
literary concepts: Characterization, Conflict, Personal Connection, Allusion, Theme (there are several themes in the
book), Symbolism, and Author’s Style. We will be discussing these concepts in class.
You must complete a total of ten journal entries. The quotes you select should be spread from throughout the novel,
not all from the same chapter or section of the text. Your final journal can be typed or handwritten, as long as it is
legible, neatly organized, labeled, and easy to follow.
Your journals should include the text (including the MLA citation), response, and literary concept.
Sample Entry from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
TEXT
RESPONSE
Since Mom and Dad were killed
in an auto wreck, the three of
us get to stay together only as
long as we behave. So Soda and
I stay out of trouble as much as
we can, and we're careful not to
get caught when we can't. I only
mean that most greasers do
things like that, just like we
wear our hair long and dress in
blue jeans and T-shirts, or leave
our shirttails out and wear
leather jackets and tennis shoes
or boots. I'm not saying that
either Socs or greasers are
better; that's just the way
things are (Hinton, 6).
This passage relates to the theme of the hero quest in that traditional
heroes in literature are often born from mysterious or obscure
circumstances (e.g. Superman, Pinocchio). While Ponyboy’s birth is not
mysterious or obscure, it is unusual because he is a young teen being
raised by his slightly older brother. The lack of, or traumatic loss of a
parental figure is also common in the hero quest. This foreshadows
some type of test or ordeal in which our reluctant “hero,” Ponyboy, will
be called upon to do something brave or noble. Ponyboy is an unlikely,
or reluctant hero as described in this passage: “…we wear our hair long
and dress in blue jeans and T-shirts, or leave our shirttails out and wear
leather jackets and tennis shoes or boots” (6). In the society of early
1960’s Oklahoma, a Greaser would be the least person to commit an act
of unselfish bravery, as Greasers are known more for destructive, illegal
and violent acts. Ponyboy defies this stereotype which also supports
the conception of him as a hero in this novel.
LITERARY
CONCEPT
Themehero’s
quest
Scoring Rubric:
Excelling (9-10 points) Journal entries are thorough, insightful, and thought-provoking; reflecting careful reading and
appropriate selection of text examples. Comments and observations relate directly to the text examples selected and
provide additional insight, inference, or deeper meaning in the text. Comments and observations demonstrate mastery of
the focus literary concepts. Journal entries are neat and labeled according to the directions with few, if any, grammatical
errors.
Proficient (8 points) Journal entries are for the most part thorough, insightful, and thought-provoking; reflecting careful
reading and appropriate selection of text examples. Comments and observations relate to the text examples selected and
provide some additional insight, inference, or deeper meaning in the text. Comments and observations address the focus
literary concepts. Journals are fairly neat and labeled according to directions with only a few grammatical errors.
Approaching (6-7 points) Journal entries are somewhat insightful; reflecting a general reading comprehension. Comments
and observations for the most part relate to the text examples selected and provide some additional insight, inference, or
deeper meaning in the text; however, some entries are too general and/or simple paraphrases of the material. Comments
and observations attempt to address the focus literary concepts, but do not reflect a true understanding of those concepts.
Journals are fairly neat and labeled according to directions with some grammatical errors.
Falls Far Below (5 points) Journal entries may be incomplete. Journal entries for the most part reflect a general reading
comprehension. Comments, observations and questions may or may not relate to the text examples selected. Entries are
superficial and/or simple paraphrases of the material. Comments and observations do not adequately address the focus
literary concepts. Journals may or may not be neat and labeled according to directions and do not reflect mastery of
grammar.
Incomplete, Missing (4.9 points)