Description

The Outsiders: Book and a Movie Writing Workshop

In this ten-week literature and narrative essay writing workshop, students will read S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, watch the film adaptation, analyze how writers transform their personal experiences into compelling narratives, and demonstrate their understanding by writing a personal narrative of their own. Students will study first-person voice, character, dialogue, world building, and pacing before writing a personal narrative of their own. This final project strengthens both creative and academic writing while developing skills students will later use in their scholarship essays, personal statements, and college applications.

• 📅 Dates: January 2, 2027 – March 11, 2027 (Workshop access opens 1/2. First live lesson on 1/7.)

• 💻 Live Meetings: Thursdays at 4 PM Eastern Time over Google Meet (60 minutes)

• 📏 Group Size: 4-10 students per session

⭐ Who is this for?

Completion of Introduction to Essay Writing Workshop, Idea to Short Story Creative Writing Workshop, or equivalent experience is recommended. Recommended for ages 13+. Younger students may enroll with instructor permission.

✨ Course Format ✨

Weekly:

• Pre-recorded literature and writing lessons.
• Live online Socratic-style discussions, writing lessons, and peer reviews.
• Written discussion questions and writing assignments.

Weeks 1-5:

• Read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Discuss and analyze narrative elements, such as first-person POV, dialogue, and pacing.
• Short narrative exercises
• Written and live discussions.
• Brainstorm topics for a personal narrative.

Week 6:

• Watch The Outsiders film.
• Examine and discuss the differences between the book and movie.
• Choose a topic for the personal narrative essay and begin outlining.

Weeks 6-10:

• Sharpen thesis and essay outline.
• Draft the narrative essay.
• Participate in a peer review.
• Receive instructor feedback.
• Revise and submit a final narrative essay.

📚 Grading Breakdown

• Essay: 30%
• Discussion Participation: 30%
• Peer review and revision process: 20%
• Weekly assignments: 20%

Rubrics will be provided for all major assignments.

⭐ Expectations & Classroom Culture

• Students are expected to engage thoughtfully and respectfully, especially when discussing controversial or sensitive topics.
• Lead with kindness. Disagreement is cool. Disrespect is NOT!
• Late work is accepted within a reasonable amount of time. Send a message on or before the due date to communicate that your work will be late.

🏫 Standards

This writing workshop supports the following Grades 8–10 ELA Common Core State Standards:

• Reading Literature: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2, RL.8.3, RL.8.5, RL.8.6, RL.8.7; RL.9-10.2, RL.9-10.3, RL.9-10.5, RL.9-10.6, RL.9-10.7
• Writing: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3, W.8.4, W.8.5; W.9-10.3, W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5
• Speaking & Listening: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1, SL.8.3; SL.9-10.1, SL.9-10.3
• Language: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3, L.8.5; L.9-10.3, L.9-10.5

🛑 Content Note

The Outsiders includes gang violence, child abuse and neglect, underage smoking and drinking, fire injuries, and character deaths. The novel also contains outdated language and stereotypes that will be discussed in context. Although the violence isn’t incredibly graphic in the movie, some scenes may be emotionally intense for sensitive viewers. Students will watch the movie independently, and their adults are encouraged to review the film in advance.