Writer's Forum "Stereotyping"

Writer's Forum "Stereotyping"

Have you ever looked at someone who was dressed a certain way, or who lived in a particular area of town, or who had a certain group of friends or who always earned good or poor grades...and assumed something about that person's life or personality? Maybe this has happened to you!

This is called Stereotyping. An early example from The Outsiders occurs in the assumptions that the Socs and Greasers have about each other. Each group believes or assumes that members of the rival group are indistinguishable from one another. When they stereotype the members of the group, they disregard the uniqueness of each member.

Pony and Cherry have a conversation in which we see assumptions that can be made about each other. Pony talks about the Socs as though they are like those boys who beat up Johnny. Cherry tries to convince him that this isn't true, using Dally as an example. She knows that Dally might mug someone, but Pony would not. Pony and Dally belong to the same gang. But that doesn't mean they are just alike in character.

At this point, Pony also believes that the Greasers are the only ones with any problems. He thinks that because the Socs all have money and opportunities, they must not have any problems. Cherry tell him that "things are rough all over". Cherry seems to realize the truth, but most of the Socs and Greasers do not. This leads to conflicts between the two groups.

1. Explain why you think stereotyping leads to conflict between people and groups of people. Use an experience you or someone close to you has had as an example of your explanation.

2. Answer in paragraph form on this blog.

3. Comment on 2 other student’s posts on this blog.

Newspaper Article Assignment

Newspaper Article Assignment

For this assignment you need to write a newspaper article about an important event from the novel The Outsiders. You need to complete a rough copy, edit it, and write a good copy for this assignment.

Your story should follow the classic newspaper story outline, of the 5W's and 1H, in an inverted paragraph.

The first line of your story is called a lead, because it leads the story. Unlike other kinds of stories, which develop gradually, the newspaper article gives everything in the lead. other kinds of stories, bury the lead, or hide it further down the story. Newspaper writers don't bury the lead, because readers like it at the top.

This is because newspaper readers skim the tops of articles to see if they interest them. If the lead catches their attention, they continue to read, if it doesn't, they don't. The lead gives the 5W's and 1H, more completely understood as the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of the story.

The inverted paragraph refers to the rest of the story. The sentences following the lead become increasingly detailed and more specific as the story continues. The focus narrows as the story goes along. Readers can decide when to stop reading when they feel they have learned the information they want to know.

Here is an example.

Lead: The Toronto Maple Leafs won their game last night in Chicago, beating a dull Blackhawk's team 3 to 1 at the United Center. 

The Leaf scorers were Sundin, Domi and Lumme, 

tallying their scores in the second period,

after the Hawks jumped out to an early lead. 

Lumme scored his first goal in 2003,

bulging the back of the twine

on a nice low wrist shot,

coming on a power play.

Lumme is in his 2nd year

with the Leafs. 

Celebrating Yourself

Celebrating Yourself

“Tuff” Talk: Finish the following thoughts… 

The best thing about being me is? 

The worst thing about being me is? 

Consider your two completed statements. Now how do you think one for the characters from The Outsiders would have completed these statements? Explain why you believe he or she would have completed it as so.

Activity:

1. Write a bio-poem using the following structure:

Line 1: Your 1^st Name only

Line 2: Traits that describe you

Line 3: Daughter/Son of…or sibling or cousin of…

Line 4: Who loves me (3 items, places, or people)

Line 5: Who feels (3 items)

Line 6: Who needs (3 items)

Line 7: Who gives (3 items)

Line 8: Who fears (3 items)

Line 9: Who would like to see (3 items)

Line 10: Who lives in

Line 11: Your last name only

2. “Group Talk”

3. Write a bio-poem for Ponyboy and Post it on this blog

Things to think about....

-       - How does your identity relate to Ponyboy’s identity?

-       - What are the similarities? Differences?

-       - Do you think that others see Ponyboy as he is described in the bio-poem? Why or why not?

-       - How important do you feel it is to celebrate your identity, to recognize who you are?