5 mins
As Packer mentions, one kind of current celebrity is the person who is “famous for being famous” (para.
8). Brainstorm a list of current such celebrities and discuss what they have in common.
Kardashians/Jenners
Lady Gaga
Ice Spice
Charlie D’Amelio
Paris Hilton
Justin Bieber
Hailey Bieber
Taylor Swift
Richie sisters
Lebron James
Kanye West
Donald Trump
Michelle Obama
RFK jr
Jaden Smith
Jennifer Lopez
Martha Stewart
Ellen Degeneres
Steve Harvey
Rich
Skilled/ know someone who is
Big personalities or opinions
Unlimited fanbase
Reality tv/entertainment
Big influence
Nepotism
Entitled
Comedians
What is Packer's central message about the impact of modern celebrity culture on American society?
Compose a 3-4 page essay in which you thoroughly examine George Packer's argument and analyze the
methods he uses to persuade his audience. How effective are these strategies in strengthening or
weakening his argument? What are the implications? You may also want to consider how Packer's
argument relates to the broader cultural myths and contradictions that exist in America and why this
matters.
1. Identify Packer’s argument
2. Analyze the methods. HOW and WHY.
a. What methods/strategies is he using?
b. Why is it effective/not effective?
3. SO WHAT? Why does this matter in a larger context? Why do we care? Where do we go from
here?
Thesis: NOT summary. An argument that responds to all parts of the prompt.
Argument is something that is debatable.
Thesis example: George Packer argues that today's celebrities are different from those of the past; today,
celebrities are at the very forefront of our lives. By comparing the past with the present, referring to wellknown celebrities, and pointing out contradictions, Packer effectively argues that despite their efforts to
seem like “one of us,” it’s all an act. Celebrities exist only because we allow them to, yet we continue to
worship the very people who seek to exploit us.
Topic sentences should make a claim from the thesis or supporting the thesis. NOT summary.
T.S. example: Packer effectively compares different eras in history to help the reader understand…
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