Essay #2: Pop Culture and Identity – Eng 101 Fall 2014 LAMC
Directions: Write an essay of 4-5 pages in response to the following question.
In this section of the class, we will read several essays about how identity is influenced by popular culture. In
some of these cases, pop culture has a productive or positive influence, in some cases, pop culture has a
destructive or negative influence on identity, and in some cases, it's a little of both. Do some research of your
own, and choose a way that pop culture is connected in a significant and influential way to the creation of
identity in a specific group of people, and make a complex claim about that connection using examples that
you find as you research as well as relevant examples from your own experience. Find articles that address
your concerns, and answer the following questions: What exactly is the connection you are claiming exists
between a specific type of pop culture and identity in the specific group you chose? How does it work?
Whose identities, specifically, are being influenced? Is this connection productive, destructive, or a little
of both? What are some of the consequences, either good or bad, of pop culture influencing identity in
this way?
Sample topics: (You are not limited to these topics. These are simply examples of topics that would fit this
question.)
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Advertisements and the creation of feminine/masculine identity
The influence of a musical genre on the development of identity in teenagers
The importance of a significant/landmark portrayal for a group struggling to have its identity
recognized/validated by the mainstream
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. This
means that it should fully describe the specific connection between pop culture and identity that you will
discuss and summarize some of the ideas that you have found in your research that have already been put
forward about this connection.
 Third, it should build a clear, coherent argument in response to the prompt and the sources that you choose.
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.)
Once you have done your brainstorming/freewriting and decided on a topic, you might want to use an outline to
structure your essay.
Due Dates:
Rough Draft for peer review due Friday,
10/24 (upload to turnitin)
Comments on peer drafts due on turnitin by Thursday, 10/30 (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 Saturday,
11/1 
NOTE CHANGE TO SYLLABUS – Optional draft date has changed
Final Draft due Thursday, 11/13 (upload to turnitin)