1. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Essay
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

2. Essay Assignment
Your assignment is to write a 5 paragraph persuasive essay on the novel The Outsiders. Choose from the following five topics.
Assignment Requirement:
Rough drafts must be revised and edited when turned in with the Final Draft. ALL (rough and final) Drafts must be handed in.
Final Draft must be: typed with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced, and follow all other Writing Guidelines.
Final draft will be handing in with:
Rough outline
All rough drafts
Peer editing sheet
Rubric

3. Essay Topics – Choose One
Discuss the theme of social and/or class division in the novel. Is the rivalry senseless? What motivates the rivalry between groups?
Discuss the significance of the title of the novel. Who is an "outsider" throughout the story, and what makes that person an "outsider"? What other interpretations of the title are there?
Compare and contrast the Curtis brothers, Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy. How does their relationship change over the course of the novel?
Write an essay explaining why you believe each of the 'main' Greasers could be considered a hero. Include your own definition of hero in the essay, and be sure to explain how each boy, in his own way, meets your definition. Remember to support your ideas with examples from the novel.
Write an essay explaining how the Socs were more of a disgrace and menace to society than the Greasers. Look at how society viewed and treated the two groups. Examine the characteristics of each group, their actions, and the choices each made. Be sure to support your ideas with examples from the novel.

4. Paragraph 1: Introduction Attention Getting Lead
Thesis sentence
Your Introduction Paragraph must include the following parts:
Title (novels are italicized or underlined)
Author
Introduction to idea (You will want to avoid statements like In this paper I will discuss…)
Any other important information relevant to your big idea
Your thesis

5. The Introduction Outline
The introduction guides the reader into your paper by grabbing attention and introducing the topic.
Hook Sentence
(connect it to the topic in a general way)
Introduce the Title, Author, and Main Topic
The Plot --- brief!
(1-2 sentence summary)
Thesis
(answer the “so what?” question)
The reference is the name of the novel with the author.

6. What’s a HOOK?
Hook and Introductory Statement: This is a statement which introduces your topic.
Ideas for Hooks (related connection to your paragraph)
A question
A joke
A quote
A surprising or interesting fact or statistic
Description (try using figurative language)
Analogy/Scenario (also can use figurative language)

7. Thesis Statement Simple Sample thesis:
A thesis statement shows your reader the direction that you are going in your paper. It will state the Big Idea and your three supporting ideas. It tells the reader why these things are important.
Simple Sample thesis:
In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, Johnny, Darry, and Ponyboy fight for something they believe in that brings purpose to their lives.
Point 1 - Johnny
Point 2 - Darry
Point 3 - Ponyboy

8. Example thesis
In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, __________, _____________, and ___________ , ______________________________ because ___________________________. (do this action in the book) (they feel this way)
In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, Johnny, Darry, and Ponyboy fight for something they believe in that brings purpose to their lives.

9. Another Example thesis statement:
#1 #2 #3 In the novel, the three main characters, Ponyboy, Dally, and Johnny are considered “outsiders” because they are label “Greasers”, however throughout the book they show how they stand apart from those stereotypes that society has placed on the Greaser identity. Try using the because…..however…. Format

10. Let’s Try an Example together….
By examining ___________________ , ______________________, and _______________
(P1: Paragraph 1) (P2: Paragraph 2) (P3: Paragraph 3)
  it is clear that the ______________________ by ________________________
(title) (author)
is about _____________________________________ and reveals that ___________________
(topic/abstract concept)
____________________________________________________________________________.
(opinion statement about topic)

11. Example thesis outline
Even though television can be educational , parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and it is not always intellectually stimulating
Even though____________________, _________________________ because
(opposing viewpoint) (your viewpoint)
_________________, _______________, and ________________.
(point 1) (point 2) (point 3)

12. Checklist for Thesis Statement
Does your thesis contain your BIG IDEA?
Does the thesis statement provide three areas for discussion from the novel?
Does the thesis stay within the topic of the paper?
Does your thesis have a SO WHAT? factor? (Why is it important?)

13. STOP - Now you try!
Using the outline for the introduction paragraph, being writing your into.
Get with your writing group and collaborate on the intro paragraph!

14. Checklist for Introduction Paragraph
1. Is the title included and italicized or underlined (The Outsiders)?
2. Is the author’s name mentioned?
3. Does the topic sentence generally, briefly tell the topic of the paper and avoid statements that are extremely obvious to the reader?
4. If needed, does the introduction paragraph include other important information, including the definition of relevant literary terms or stereotypes of groups?
5. Does the introductory paragraph contain a thesis statement that relates to the topic and that sets up three points to be discussed in the body of the paper?

15. Sample Introduction
Fighting is often thought of as sport, such as boxing, or a way to respond physically to conflict. But sometimes, fighting is done within a person. Fighting is part of life, when we believe in something and care about people. S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders, takes place in the Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960’s where there were many characters who fought for what they believed in and the people they loved. When two young “Greasers” named Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny escape from a bad run-in with the high society kids called “Socs”, terrible events begin to occur. Although there is physical fighting between gangs in the novel, there is also evidence of purposeful fighting. Johnny, Darry, and Ponyboy are characters who fight for something they believe in, and this brings purpose to their lives. Point 1 – Johnny Point 2 – Darry Point 3 - Ponyboy
Legend
Hook
Summary of novel
Thesis

16. Body Paragraph 1
Introductory sentence states the Big Idea and the first example from the book.
Human life was worth fighting for to Johnny. Not only did he fight to protect his friends, but he fought to protect strangers. Johnny explains, “I had to. They were drowning you, Pony. They might have killed you” (Hinton 57). Johnny wasn’t a cold, hard killer. He was simply a scared kid who was fighting to protect his best friend. In his last letter, Johnny expresses, “Listen, I don’t mind dying now. It was worth it. It’s worth saving those kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for” (Hinton 178). This shows that he finds the lives of kids he doesn’t even know worth more value than his own. Johnny knows the value of life, and he fights for it for those around him.
Legend Colours
Topic sentence – introduces point 1 from thesis
Evidence
Explanation
Conclusion
Transition Words

17. Body Paragraphs
Use the graphic organizer to plan body paragraphs one, two and three (these are paragraphs two, three and four in the essay)
Each paragraph must contain the following pieces:
a topic sentence (topic refers back to thesis)
a quote, with page number
two supporting sentences
a concluding sentence

18. Checklist for body paragraphs
1) Did the paragraph begin with a transition?
2) Was there a topic sentence that referred back to one part of the thesis?
3) Did a supporting sentence introduce the quote?
4) Did the paragraph contain a quote with page number?
5)Did a supporting sentence explain the importance of the quote?
6) Is there a concluding sentence?

19. How do I include a quote? Your quote should help prove your point.
Quotes CANNOT stand alone as a sentence. No Floating Quotes!
Incorrect- Johnny writes Ponyboy a letter reminding him to stay optimistic. “Stay gold, Ponyboy” (Hinton 148).
Correct- Johnny writes Ponyboy a letter reminding him to stay optimistic. The letter reads, “Stay gold, Ponyboy” (Hinton 148).
ALL QUOTES MUST HAVE THE AUTHOR’S LAST NAME AND PAGE NUMBERS IN PARENTHESES (AFTER THE QUOTATION MARKS, BEFORE THE PERIOD).

20. Transitions In the beginning, After …, In the same way, However,
Use transitions when you begin a new paragraph. Some transitions include the following:
In the beginning, After …,
In the same way, However,
Throughout the novel, For this reason,
In the end, Although…,
Finally, As a result,

21. Conclusion Paragraph There are 2 basic functions of a conclusion
Restate Thesis
What do you want the reader to learn or do?
There are 2 basic functions of a conclusion
Restate your thesis statement—You will not use the EXACT thesis statement from your introduction.
What do you want the reader to do or learn about your Big Idea after they read your paper? Why should they care? You may want to comment on a theme or lesson learned.

22. Conclusions
Restate thesis in different words: Begins with a topic sentence that clearly relates to the topic, or issue, or problem, that was identified in the introductory paragraph. A statement much like your thesis statement.
Sum up your points: Several sentences that revisit points from your introductory paragraph and your body paragraphs. These points now serve to close your argument.
So What??? --A final comment, or intellectual conclusion of sorts that points out the larger significance of your argument. Give a statement of theme.

23. Sample Conclusion
Legend Colours
Topic sentence – restates thesis in different words
Point 1 sum up
Point 2 sum up
Point 3 sum up
Conclusion sentence – So What? Connecting to the reader personally
In The Outsiders, Johnny, Darry, and Ponyboy stand up for what they think is right, emphasizing the importance of fighting for purpose in life. Johnny takes a stand for what is right when he saves Ponyboy from drowning and when he runs into a burning building to save innocent children. Darry also fights for what he believes is right. He does not go to college and works to keep his family together. In the same way, Ponyboy fights to cope with the tragedy. He writes a novel helping young teenagers deal with similar circumstances so that they will realize they have something to fight for in life. These three characters fight, and through their experiences, they understand their purposes in life. Similarly, Readers must also seek their purposes in life by fighting for what they believe in. Through their experiences, they will stand up for what is right and achieve a better understanding and appreciation for living.

24. Checklist for Conclusion
Does your conclusion RESTATE your thesis?
Do you make brief statements about your points of discussion? (sum up)
Do you tell your reader what they should learn or do after they read your paper? So What??

25. Works Cited You must cite the book using MLA format.
Here’s how to cite a book:
Works Cited
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication:
Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York: Penguin Group Inc.,
1967. Print.