What were the main characteristics of the affluent society of the 1950s? Some would point to this time as an era of American “greatness.” Yet, was everything perfect? What were some of the underlying problems of the 1950s?

Cite direct quotations.  As a rule they can be valuable in underscoring a point, but avoid lengthy and excessive quotations: they are boring.  With regard to formatting, you should simply note the author and page number in a parenthetical reference.  For example, “The 1880s witnessed a new wave of labor organizing.  At its center stood the Knights of Labor" (Foner 629).