The Outsiders Major Grade Packet 2012
For The Outsiders, you are working on a different skill each chapter. This is a major grade. You need to do this
as you read. I will be grading it in checks, meaning, I will grade some parts before the
It is VERY important you DO NOT COPY FROM OTHERS. Pay special attention to “In your own words,” which
means that while you may certainly talk with other people, you need to do your own work. If there is a part that
says “with your group” that means you may all work together and come up with the same answer. However, if
you want to work independently on these questions, you certainly may.
Imagery Analysis for chapter 1 of The Outsiders
1. Create a chart with three columns: imagery, what it is describing, and why the S.E. Hinton used that
specific image.
2. For chapter one, fill out the chart for: Darry’s eyes, Soda’s eyes, Dally’s teeth and ears, and Johnny’s
personality.
Dialectical Journal for chapter 2 of The Outsiders
1. In the first column, record 3 quotations that you feel are important for chapter 2.
2. In the second column, in your own words, explain IN DETAIL why this quotation seems important.
Dictionary Skills for chapter 3 of The Outsiders
Be very careful about using your dictionary correctly. It is important you write down the correct definition for the
part of speech AND for the word in context. Write down the BEST definition, NOT the first one.
For each word:
1. Record the sentence from the book.
2. Label the part of speech
a. noun: person, place, thing, idea; ex: scalawag, rags, tremor
b. adjective: a word the modifies (describes) a noun ; ex: ajar, gnarled, ominous
c. verb: action word; ex: beckon, vaulted, probing, scoot
d. adverb: a word the modifies (describes) a verb; ex: frantically, intently, unevenly
3. Use the dictionary to locate the correct definition. Write the entry number.
4. Write the definition.
HINT: Use all parts of the entry! The synonym, words in carrots, etc!
Chapter 3:
Gallantly (37)
Grimly (41)
Bitterly (42)
Snapped (42)
Cunning (43)
Slug 51
Representation for chapter 4 of The Outsiders
Visualize the events of chapter 4. Create a visual representation of the events. You can be realistic or abstract.
It can be like a painting or a comic strip. The idea behind your work is that you are doing more than drawing a
picture; you are capturing the events and the mood of the events.
Poetry Analysis for chapter 5 of The Outsiders
Annotate the poem from page 77. You may wish to use color coding. Use your literature book to look up
definitions of any of the literary elements.
1. Annotate the rhyme scheme
2. Look up any unknown words and write the synonyms from context (must do 2)
3. Summarize each 4 lines
4. Identify any literary elements (metaphor, allusion, alliteration, assonance)
5. Figure out what the metaphor and allusion mean
6. Determine the theme of the poem.
Character Development for chapter 6 of The Outsiders
1. Reread pages 98-99. In your own words, explain the character development (character change) in
Ponyboy with regards to his understanding of Darry. Use evidence from the text to explain how
Ponyboy felt at the beginning of the novel and how he feels now. Use your A.C.E. paper to help you.
Character Development for chapter 7 of The Outsiders
Reread the last paragraph of chapter 7 in conjunction with the last two paragraphs of chapter 2. Answer the
following:
1. In your own words, explain how the end of chapter 2 is an example of foreshadowing. Make sure to
clearly express what was foreshadowed.
2. In your own words, what sort of theme is S. E. Hinton driving at at the end of chapter 7?
3. In your own words, how can you tell your answer to question 2 is correct?
Symbolism for chapter 8 of The Outsiders
Several symbols become clear during this chapter. We will do a whole class lesson on these symbols. In the
event you are absent, you need to come in for tutorials Tuesday morning to make up the lesson. Without the
lesson, you may not be able to figure out the other symbols on your own.
Theme for chapter 9 of The Outsiders
1. In this chapter, there is both a triumph and a loss. In your own words, explain what was the triumph and
what was the loss and what you think S. E. Hinton wanted the reader to learn by both of these in the
same chapter.
Summarize for Chapter 10 of The Outsiders
With your group, write a three sentence summary of the beginning, middle, and end of the chapter.
Character Analysis for chapter 11 of The Outsiders
1. In your own words, explain what is happening with Ponyboy on page 165 when he says things that
aren’t true.
Theme for chapter 12 of The Outsiders
NOTE: back in the 1960’s teachers called personal narratives “themes”. When Ponyboy is assigned a “theme”,
he is really assigned a personal narrative. Nowadays teachers only use the word “theme” to refer to the
message of the author. Much less confusing! For this assignment, you are being asked to identify 3 themes
from the novel.
With your group:
1. Write down 5 topics that S. E. Hinton deals with in the novel.
2. For three of those topics, write “S.E. Hinton believes that …” and complete the sentence about one of
the topics. DO NOT put down “is important”, like “S.E. Hinton believes that family is important” because
it is not specific enough.
3. For your three sentences, cross out “S.E. Hinton believes that…”
4. Reread what you have and you should have three themes from the text. Woot!