Name: __________________________________
The Outsiders – Life in the 1960s Research Project Requirements
Individual Essay Due Friday, February ____, 2014
Individually, you will each research the topic you have been assigned. After you have gathered your
research, you will write a five-paragraph essay about the topic, using the information you have learned.
The essay must be in MLA format, with an introduction (including a thesis statement), three body
paragraphs and a conclusion. The essay may be typed.
Essay Question: Life in the 1960s was a time of change for the United States. One of the changes that
took place during the era was…(your research topic).
Requirements:
 Introduction (including a thesis statement)
 MLA format– 12 point font, double spaced
TNR
 Three body paragraphs
 You must turn in all notes and sources for
your work – prepare a minimum of ten
source cards
 Conclusion
 Spelling, grammar and punctuation must
be correct
TOPICS:
Elvis Presley
The Beatles
Drive-In Theaters
Automobiles particularly the Mustang and Corvair,
Female Fashion and Male Fashion (1960 – 1965) and (1966-1969)
Compare the role of women in 1960 with the role of women in 1969
Popular TV shows
Compare the price of the following in 1968 and 2014: minimum wage, housing costs,
price of an automobile, bar of soap, monthly utility bills (gas, electric, water, trash),
bottle of peroxide, pound of bologna, health insurance (monthly), paperback novel, jar
of peanut butter, loaf of bread, gallon of chocolate milk, box of matches, sneakers,
gallon of gasoline
Three popular fads of the 1960s and what was the reason for the focus on these
products
Women and men’s hairstyles of the 1960s
Major Sporting Event
Gangs
Inventions/Technology
You must have ten facts for each topic recorded on individual source cards. Research must be gathered
from school databases and reliable internet sources (.net, .org., edu.) The outline below contains samples
of questions to consider as you gather your research.
Make sure you record the source of your information.
1. Fashion:
a) What type of clothing was popular during that
time period?
b) Include information for both males and
females
2. Music:
a) What type of music was popular?
b) Why were these musicians popular?
c) It would be fun if your presentation included
music!
3. Recreation/Leisure:
a) Where did people go for entertainment?
(movies and drive-ins, music, television,
sports, etc.)
b) Popular activities (dances, games)
c) Popular movie stars, sports figures
d) Popular fads
4. Gangs:
a) What information can you gather about
1960s gangs?
b) What were some well-known gangs, and
what were they known for doing?
c) How might gang mentality and life style
appeal to young people?
5. Inventions/Technology:
a) Which important/influential inventions came
out of the 1960s?
b) How did the inventions impact the American
people?
6. 1960s Cars
a) Create a list of facts and photos of cars from
the 1960s
b) Discuss which of the cars would be popular
among young people
c) Make sure to discuss Mustangs and Corvairs