Essay #1: Diversity and Representation in Pop Culture– Eng 101 Fall 2014
Directions: Write an essay of 4-5 pages in response to one of the following questions.
Question #1: Consider a piece of pop culture that interests you. (A genre of music, a genre of film/tv, a genre
of books, or a specific example of any of these.) As an analyst of popular culture, you will be making a claim
about how the issues of representation and diversity we have discussed in class relate to the genre/show/etc. you
have chosen. Questions to consider: 1. What assumptions/ideas about diversity does your chosen piece of
pop culture support? 2. Is the way that this piece of pop culture handles diversity a positive thing that
should be encouraged, or a negative thing that needs to change?
Sample topics: (You are not limited to these topics. These are simply examples of topics that would fit this
question.) Remember, you may also write about music, film, or any other example of pop culture you wish.
 The portrayal of diversity in a particular genre/show. For example…
o Diversity on the tv show Glee.
o Diversity in science fiction films and tv shows
Question #2: Pick a minority/underrepresented group and analyze that group's portrayal/representation in a
specific area of pop culture (this includes representation on the news, if you would like to go that route). As an
analyst of pop culture, you will be exploring whether there are characters from this group and/or issues that are
relevant to this group represented in the type of media you chose. Questions to Consider: 1. How is the group
represented? 2. What are the of the group you chose? 3. In general, how is this group represented by the
area of the media you chose? Is it a fair representation? If so, defend and explain your answer. If not, what
needs to change?
Sample topics: (You are not limited to these topics. These are simply examples of topics that would fit this
question.)
 The treatment of a minority group in a genre of music/television. (Or by a particular series/film/musical
group.)
o Portrayals of Asian Americans in current American sitcoms
o Portrayals of young black men in the news
o Portrayals of women in horror films
o Portrayals of gay/lesbian characters on Glee
Your essay should do these things:
 First, it should have a thesis statement that makes a claim about the question.
 Second, it should show an awareness of the conversation that is already going on about these issues.
 Third, it should build a clear, coherent argument in response to the prompt and your sources.
Sources: You must cite (quote or summarize/paraphrase) at least three different reputable sources in this
essay.
Length: 4-5 pages. This means that your essay must be at least to the bottom of the fourth page when it is
formatted correctly. (See your syllabus for my formatting requirements.) You must also include a works cited
page in MLA format for any sources you quote in the body of your paper, including your text book. (This
means that everyone will have a works cited page.)
Due Dates:
Rough Draft for peer review due Friday, 9/26 (upload to turnitin)
Comments on peer drafts due on turnitin by Thursday, 10/2 (if possible, please print peer comments
on your paper and bring to class)
Optional Rough Draft for instructor comments on turnitin due at 11:59 PM Sunday,
10/5 
NOTE CHANGE TO SYLLABUS – Optional draft date has changed
Final Draft due Thursday, 10/16 (upload to turnitin)