1. Year 7 Essay, Task 2 TEAL revision
Assignment 2, The Outsiders

2. Components of an essay Task word count: 600 words
Introduction ( words)
Body:
Paragraph 1 (200 words)
Paragraph 2 (200 words)
Conclusion (80 – 100 words)

3. Essay themes – pick one theme, two separate ideas
In your essay, you must explore one theme: identity or social class
You must have two key body paragraphs that express this theme – two separate ideas about the same theme.
These would become your topic sentences or key ideas.
E.g. For Isolation:
When individuals are isolated from family, they often seek to create their own ‘family’ structures within friendship groups.
Isolation can severely affect an individual in emotional and mental ways.

4. Writing an Introduction
Identify the novel name, author, publish date and a brief summary of the plot in relation to your key theme (1-2 sentences)
Identify the strongest theme in the novel that you will discuss and which characters are impacted by this theme
Identify your two main ideas (related to your theme) that you will discuss in your two body paragraphs
Sample:
‘The Outsiders’, the infamous coming of age novel by S. E. Hinton, published in 1967, explores the struggle of several key characters in 1960s America as they come to terms with their identity. Overwhelmingly, the strongest theme in the novel is identity; specifically how characters including Ponyboy, Johnny and Cherry struggle with their gang identities, that conflict with their true nature. This essay will explore the importance of this theme in the novel, by analysing how difficult it is for the characters to embraced their ‘inherited’ identities, and the importance of being true to oneself.
(95 words)

5. BODY Paragraph 1 – First idea about identity OR society and class
Paragraph 2 – Second idea about identity OR society and class

6. Paragraph structure – Body TEAAL
Topic sentence
Explanation
Analysis (quote 1)
Analysis (quote 2)
Linking sentence

7. Topic sentences 1 sentence
General idea about the theme – no mention of characters, text name, author
E.g. if you picked social class –
One’s social class often determines and restricts an individuals chances and direction to pursue personal goals.
E.g. if you picked identity –
For individuals who unwillingly assume gang identities, they often find it extremely difficult to fully embrace this outward identity.

8. Creating ideas for themes
Revenge/justice:
Sample idea/topic sentence: When an individual is wronged, some will go to extreme lengths to ensure justice is served.
Friendship/loyalty:
Sample idea/topic sentence: The bonds created through friendship can be unbreakable, ensuring unwavering loyalty.
Create your own now for each – share with the class.

9. Explanation 2 sentences
Explain your idea, by identifying the scenes where it is important
Link to the question – why it is strongest
Identify the characters involved
Start it off by –
‘In the novel, ‘The Outsiders’, Hinton explores how difficult it is for characters to be true to themselves when they are ‘born’ into particular gangs or identity based groups, and this becomes the central internal conflict of key characters, hence being the strongest theme in the novel. . Characters like Ponyboy and Cherry sacrifice their individuality and conform to the styles and expectations of their respective groups, the ‘greasers’ and the ‘socs’, and struggle to get beyond these as they develop a friendship.

10. Analysis 6 sentences in total (3 per quote) Weave two quotes
Identify the type of language technique
Use strong, persuasive language
Identify the effect on the reader
A: When considering the rumble, Ponyboy states, “Soda fought for fun, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight?” The effective use of a rhetorical question emphasises Ponyboy’s contemplation of his role in the rumble, and thus the greaser gang as a whole. The rhetorical question highlights to readers that his fellow greasers all fight for different reasons to which Ponyboy cannot relate; Ponyboy is reluctant to fight, and also feels distinct to the greaser identity as a result, a theme which has been maintained from the outset of the novel.
A: Further, at the nightly double in Chapter 2, Ponyboy discusses Johnny’s attack, to which Cherry states “We’re not all like that… That’d be like saying all you Greasers were like Dallas Winston”. Hinton’s skilful use of both first and second person reveals to audiences the stereotyping that occurs between both gangs; Cherry states that the greasers aren’t all the same, just like how the socs are all different within. Cherry is clearly trying to point out through her tone that she cannot associate with her gang identity, just how Ponyboy struggles with his.

11. Linking sentence 1 sentence
Summarise by linking back to the topic sentence and key question
E.g.
This shared dilemma, seen within both social groups through Pony and Cherry, reveals the importance of the theme of identity. Therefore, it is clear how some individuals who assume gang identities are uncomfortable with these expectations, and wish to shed this identity.

12. Full TEAL body paragraph sample
For individuals who unwillingly assume gang identities, they often find it extremely difficult to fully embrace this outward identity. In the novel, ‘The Outsiders’, Hinton explores how difficult it is for characters to be true to themselves when they are ‘born’ into particular gangs, and this becomes the central internal conflict of key characters, hence being the strongest theme in the novel. Characters like Ponyboy and Cherry sacrifice their individuality and conform to the styles and expectations of their gangs, the ‘greasers’ and the ‘socs’, and struggle to get beyond these as they develop a friendship. When considering the rumble, Ponyboy states, “Soda fought for fun, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight?” The effective use of a rhetorical question emphasises Ponyboy’s contemplation of his role in the rumble, and thus the greaser gang as a whole. The rhetorical question highlights to readers that his fellow greasers all fight for different reasons to which Ponyboy cannot relate; Ponyboy is reluctant to fight, and also feels distinct to the greaser identity as a result, a theme which has been maintained from the outset of the novel. Further, at the nightly double in Chapter 2, Ponyboy discusses Johnny’s attack, to which Cherry states “We’re not all like that… That’d be like saying all you Greasers were like Dallas Winston”. Hinton’s skilful use of both first and second person reveals to audiences the stereotyping that occurs between both gangs; Cherry states that the greasers aren’t all the same, just like how the socs are all different within. Cherry is clearly trying to point out through her tone that she cannot associate with her gang identity, just how Ponyboy struggles with his. This shared dilemma, seen within both social groups through Pony and Cherry, reveals the importance of the theme of identity. Therefore, it is clear how some individuals who assume gang identities are uncomfortable with these expectations, and wish to shed this identity.

13. Conclusions
80-100
Summarise your argument – don’t introduce anything new
Use words like ‘Therefore’ or ‘Clearly, ‘In summary’
Reiterate how effectively Hinton has used language devices to portray this theme
E.g. Thus, it is clear how characters within the novel, ‘The Outsiders’ struggle with their gang identities as they conflict with their true nature. Characters from both the ‘soc’ and ‘greaser’ social groups, including Ponyboy and Cherry, find it difficult to live up to the stereotypes associated with their identities, and question their part in their gangs. Overall, Hinton has effectively incorporated language devices to convey these ideas regarding this key theme, reminding audiences of the importance of remaining true to oneself, and thus emphasising ‘identity’ as the strongest theme.

14. Do nots! Use first person, e.g. ‘I’ or ‘We’ or ‘You’
Do not tell me the story.
Do not lapse into narrating the story.
Do not write down a point, then tell me what happens next in the story. I already know what happens next.