The Outsiders

Do you want to study a novel that teaches students about both the allure and the dangers of gangs?

This unit of work works well with mid to high ability Year 8 or 9 students, and could serve as a basic introduction to the American Literature canon. It comes resourced with PowerPoints, worksheets, contextual information, IWB activities, character analysis, opportunities for creative writing and ideas for an assessment.

Lesson 1: Gang culture
Lesson 2: How Hinton creates character
Lesson 3: Hinton’s use of stereotypes
Lesson 4: How writers build tension
Lesson 5: The Socs and The Greasers
Lesson 6: Using inference
Lesson 7: Narrative perspective
Lesson 8: Robert Frost “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
Lesson 9: Analysing the character of Ponyboy
Lesson 10: Writing a newspaper article
Lesson 11: Dual narratives
Lesson 12: Use of foreshadowing to build tension
Lesson 13: Building tension in “The Rumble”
Lesson 14: Character foils: Jonny and Dally
Lesson 15: Analysing the character of Ponyboy
Lesson 16: Formal speeches in The Courtroom