Consider the importance of the title—who qualifies as the outsiders, and what are they excluded from? What does being an outsider entail, and why has this concept become prominent in the twentieth century? Use examples from recent history to support your points.

There are two well-known novels with titles resembling Hinton's story. Both focus on young men, incidental murders, and existentialism (the belief that the individual is entirely responsible for their destiny). These novels are Richard Wright's The Outsider and Albert Camus's The Stranger (published in England as The Outsider). Compare Hinton's novel with one of these other "outsider" narratives.

Many people argue that social or economic class does not significantly influence American society or government. Using examples from this novel and other teenage books or films (such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and the more recent Clueless), discuss whether you believe this is true or false.

Compare and contrast The Outsiders with another story about gangs, such as Boyz n the Hood or West Side Story. Look at specific events, characters, and themes.

Juvenile crime and "youth predators" have become a major political concern in the past decade. Are today’s youth genuinely more violent than those from twenty or thirty years ago? Investigate the phenomenon of youth violence and consider topics such as trying youths as young as twelve as adults, incarcerating teens with adults, and increasing school security versus increasing education funding. Good starting points are the National Center for Juvenile Justice (http://www.ncjj.org) and the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (http://www.cjcj.org).