The Outsiders: End of Unit Papers/Projects

You've made it (almost)! Now that you're about done with The Outsiders, it's time to prove what you know--and, hopefully, have a little fun while doing it. Youre going to wrap up your experience of the novel by choosing to complete one of the following individual papers or individual/group projects: Papers 1. In a short five paragraph essay, compare and contrast the movie version of The Outsiders with the book. In your paper, make sure you have an argument (e.g. The movie version of The Outsiders wasn't as good as the book because in the movie the director didn't pay enough attention to Ponyboys growth as a young man). Develop your argument with at least three specific examples from the book and/or movie. Length requirement: 2 pages (typed and double spaced) or 500 words. 2. One of the major themes of The Outsiders is friendship/belonging. Tightknit/exclusive groups (like the Socs and Greasers) provide a sense of belonging and community to their members. In a short five paragraph essay, explore the pros and cons of exclusive groups (cliques, clubs, teams, etc.). What--if anything--do you gain by being a part of an exclusive group? What--if anything--do you lose? Make sure to provide three specific examples from the book to back up your argument. Length requirement: 2 pages (typed and double spaced) or 500 words. 3. Robert Frosts poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay, plays a prominent thematic role in The Outsiders. In a short five paragraph essay, interpret the meaning of Frosts poem and explain how it dovetails with the plot of The Outsiders. Length requirement: 2 pages (typed and double spaced) or 500 words. Projects 1. The Outsiders Movie Star. As you might have seen earlier on the blog, Ponyboy taught us a little bit about the 1960s. Now is your chance to act like a character in The Outsiders! You can be a star! A few parameters: -Choose to emulate one of the characters in The Outsiders. -In your monologue, give us some specific information about one of the following: *The events in the book/plot. Make sure your character responds to the events he/she discusses in the way he/she would be expected to respond. Also, make sure that your character talks about how events in the book relate to at least one of The

Outsiders themes (loneliness/belonging, social status/class, etc.). *A historical event, movement, or trend specific to the 1960s (the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, Beatlemania, etc.). -Your monologue must be at least 3 minutes long, and can be either recorded as a video or performed in front of the class. 2. In a group of no more than four students, write and perform an Epic Rap Battle between the Socs and the Greasers. The theme of the rap will be, Who is the best: Socs or Greasers? A few parameters: -Though you may playfully insult the other gang and aggrandize your gangs coolness, you may NOT use any profanity or address any themes that aren't appropriate for school. I will preview and edit all the raps before they are performed. -You must present both points of view in your rap: the Greasers and the Socs-otherwise, it's not a battle. -Your battle must last at least three minutes when performed. -Your group may either perform your rap battle in class or film it beforehand and play it in class. -Costumes are encouraged.