Name __________________________
Name __________________________
Period ________
Mrs. Henry – ELA 7
The Outsiders
Research Project
The Outsiders tells the story of the conflict between two rival gangs; the story is set during
the early-mid 1960s. The purpose of this research project is to provide you with
background knowledge about the time period in which The Outsiders is set.
Your Task:
You will research your given topic in the library. After you have gathered your research,
you will create a brief PowerPoint presentation on your topic, which will be given in class.
Requirements:
 Presentations must be done using Google Presentation and must be shared with
Mrs. Henry on the given due date. Failure to share your finished presentation will
result in 10% point deduction for each day late.
 Presentations must be at least three - five (3-5) minutes in length.
 Presentations must provide an overview of the topic as well as supporting facts.
 Presentations must include all notes, source logs, internal citations, and a Works
Cited page
*You must not only use text but also charts, graphs, visual images, etc. for your presentation
to make your project interesting and visually appealing. You may also use sounds and/or
video.
Due Date:
Presentation will be given on ___________________________________
Topics include:
 The Drive-In
The drive-in theater has vanished from the landscape of Rockland County. See if you can
locate any remaining drive-in theaters in the country (not county). Do you know where
any were in Rockland County? If there are any remnants of these drive-ins, try to get a
picture or two. Describe that bygone portion of our culture. Why do you think people went
to the drive-in movies? How do you think drive-ins are different from regular movie
theaters of today? Incorporate them into your presentation.
 Coca-Cola
Research Coca-Cola’s rise in popularity. Include its ingredients and some famous Coke
advertising from the 1950’s and 1960’s Also, include how Coca-Cola has changed over the
years. Have the ingredients changed? How have the bottles and cans changed? Why? At
what time was Coke most popular?
 Kools cigarettes and advertising for smoking geared toward youth
Research how cigarette advertising was geared toward kids at that time. Try to find a
picture of an ad from that time. Research how the knowledge of health effects of smoking
has increased over time. When did the US start putting labels on packaging that smoking is
harmful to your health? When did the US start banning cigarette smoking in public places?
Discuss laws about age limitations for buying and smoking cigarettes.
 Oklahoma
Oklahoma is the state in which the novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton is set. Gather five
interesting facts about the state. Discuss how a story set in this state might differ from a
story told in other parts of the United States. Make sure to find photos of Oklahoma and
incorporate them into your presentation.
 Rodeos
The rodeo is a big part of life for many people in Oklahoma. What can you find out about
rodeos? List some facts and interesting information about rodeos. Discuss why rodeos
might be popular with young people. Make sure to find photos and video to incorporate
into your presentation.
 The Beatles
The two rival gangs, the Socs and the “Greasers” in The Outsiders identify themselves with
the music of the Beatles and Elvis Presley. What songs were popular by the Beatles in the
early sixties? What did they look like and how did they dress at that time? What qualities
gave these musical legends mass appeal to the youth of that time? Make sure to discuss
these qualities in your presentation. Compile a list of at least five songs that they sang that
might help illustrate these qualities. Find a current event about the band or one of its
members. Make sure to find photos and videos of the Beatles and incorporate them into
your presentation.
 Elvis Presley
What songs were popular by Elvis in the early sixties? What did he look like and how did he
dress at that time? What qualities gave this musical legends mass appeal to the youth of
that time? Make sure to discuss these qualities in your presentation. Compile a list of at
least five songs that he sang that might help illustrate these qualities. Make sure to find
photos and videos of Elvis Presley (late 1950s – early 1960s) and incorporate them into
your presentation. Find a current event about Elvis Presley. His daughter, Lisa Marie
Presley, has control over his estate.
 1960s cars: the Mustang and the Corvair
The Socs love fast, hot cars! They especially love their red Corvair and their blue Ford
Mustang. Find facts on these muscle cars from the early 1960s. Compile a list of facts and
photos of these two cars from that era. Discuss why these types of cars might be popular
with young people. Make sure to find photos and incorporate them into your presentation.
You may include video.
 Popular literature of the 1960’s
Ponyboy likes to read and he talks about popular American literature with his friends. His
best friend Johnny does not like school, but Gone with the Wind gets his attention because
he admires the gallant gentlemen. Ponyboy compares a sunset to the Robert Frost poem,
“Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Later in the book, Ponyboy compares his brother Darry and his
old football friend, Paul, to a scene in the book White Fang. Gather five interesting facts for
each of the following: Gone with the Wind (the book and the movie), Robert Frost and
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” (the author and the poem), and Jack London and White Fang (the
author and the book). Make sure to find photos and incorporate them into your
presentation.
 Presidents
Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) was sworn in as President of the United States two hours and
eight minutes after John F. Kennedy (JFK) was assassinated in December 1963. Gather five
interesting facts, including world conflicts for both of these presidents. Include pictures
and video footage.
 Medical shock and traumatic stress disorder
Some argue that Ponyboy is in the state of shock for part of the novel. Others say he is
dealing with Traumatic Stress Disorder (TSD). Are shock and TSD the same thing? Define
both of the following medical conditions. Include 5 facts for each medical condition. Include
charts, pictures, graphs, and or videos to enhance your presentation.
 Fashion
What do the Greasers wear? What do the Socs wear? Was this really how people dressed in
the late 50’s – early 60’s? Make sure you find pictures of the Madras shirts the Socs wear,
and the Greasers hate so much! Find ten facts about the fashion of this time. Include
pictures!
 The Judicial system and criminal court:
Research the judicial system. Include what it means to get indicted, acquitted, and
convicted Students are often confused when Ponyboy goes to court. Research the court
process. What does it meant to get indicted? Acquitted? Convicted? How does a jury work?
 Actors in the Movie Version
Research when the movie The Outsiders came out and who the actors were. Who was
the director? S.E. Hinton makes a cameo appearance in the movie. What character does
she play? Pick one actor to focus on and give more information about other movies they
are in and other accomplishments.
 S.E. Hinton
Research the author and her life. What inspired her to write The Outsiders? What other
books has she written? Give a brief synopsis of one of her other books. Why do you
think her books are still popular with students today?