The Outsiders
Characterization Project
Background
The Outsiders tells the story of two groups of teenagers whose bitter rivalry stems from socioeconomic differences. The Socs’ group is
rich, spoiled, and according to society, never do anything wrong. The Greasers, on the other hand, are referred to as troublemakers,
lawless, and stupid. We, and society often times, are guilty of “unfairly labeling” people based on their looks, where they live, where
they go to school, how much money they have, etc.
The Socs
Ponyboy Curtis
Sodapop Curtis
Darry Curtis
Dally/Dallas Winston
Johnny Cade
Two-Bit Mathews
Steve Randle
The Greasers
Randy Adderson
Cherry Valance
Marcia
Bob Sheldon
Directions
Choose a character from the list above and create a project that FULLY represents the character’s traits that
are listed below. Your project should address each one of the traits.
Character Analysis: Project must address the following:
a. Physical (appearance) – How they Look
b. Intellectual (mental) – Beliefs
c. Emotional - Feelings
d. Social – Interactions with Others
e. Experiential – Experiences that they have had
Project Ideas/Suggestions – Choose ONE from the list, or create your own. Be sure to get pre-approval for any
idea that IS NOT on the list.
1. Collage - A collage may include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers,
portions of other artwork, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas.
This can be done on a ¼ sheet, ½ sheet, or full size sheet of poster board. Must include how the
character looks, feels, believes, interacts with others, and experiences.
2. Hanging Mobile – Must include at least 4 “levels”, including the top (which should be the
character’s name). Must include how the character looks, feels, believes, interacts with others, and
experiences.
Example below….
See examples at the following websites:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mobiles/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-mobile-art-project/
_____Name/Picture____
____________
____________
________________
____________
______________
______________
______________
_________________
3. Dress up as a Character, write & deliver a monologue. The monologue can be his/her thoughts
feelings about a situation from the novel, or it can be written as an introduction of this person to the
class. Must be at least 1 page. Include how the character looks, feels, believes, interacts with others,
and experiences.
4. Create a video that can be played for the class about your character. May include another
“character”, but the focus should be about the one you have chosen – Looks, Feels, Believes,
Interacts with Others, and Experiences.
5. Write & deliver to the class an editorial to the newspaper concerning the events (past or present) that
are occurring in the town from YOUR CHARACTER’S point of view. Must include how the
character looks, feels, believes, interactions with others, and experiences. Should be at least 1 page.
6. Create a Children’s Book about your character. Must have pictures/illustrations/etc. LOTS OF
COLOR! You may print pictures from the internet if you choose. Must include how the character
looks, feels, believes, interacts with others, and experiences.
7. Build a scene from some portion of the book that includes your character. The scene should be the
backdrop for discussing the character traits of the person whom you have chosen. You must be able
to explain how the character looks, feels, believes, interacts with other, and experiences that the
character has in the scene that you have built.
Characterization Rubric
Name(s):________________________________
Common Core
Standards
Exceeds
Standard
Meets
Standard
Does Not Meet
Standard
ELA8RL1 – Literary Text
Cite the textual evidence
that most strongly
supports an analysis of
what the text says
explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from
the text.
ELA8RL3 – Literary Text
Analyze how particular
lines of dialogue or
incidents in a story
propel the action, reveal
aspects of a character,
or provoke a decision.
ELA8LSV4/5: Present
findings, emphasizing
salient points in a
focused, coherent
manner with relevant
evidence, sound valid
reasoning, and
well0chosen details; use
appropriate eye contact,
adequate volume, and
clear pronunciation.
Integrate visual display
to clarify information,
strengthen evidence, and
add interest.
Neatness/Creativity
Demonstrated in Project
25
20
15
25
20
15
25
20
15
25
20
15
TOTAL POINTS:
____________
Above & Beyond Points:
____________
FINAL GRADE:
____________