Observations: what do you notice about this chosen topic/object? What parts of it stand out to you? If you’re working with a media example (like a song, music video, film, etc.), what are some genre conventions that you notice? This can also play into the “What”, “Who”, “Where/When” questions we looked at in our critical thinking line of questions.
Interpretative Questions: What role does this chosen topic have in the realm of pop culture? Why is it so popular? Does this topic (especially if we’re looking at a song, text, or even trend) reflect or comment on something going on in our culture? Does it tie in with specific beliefs or values that are also a part of American culture? Has this object/example/aspect evolved over time? Is this an integral part of our culture, or is it just a “flash in the pan”, enjoying its 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight? Do we see any links to other cultural texts? Use this section to explore your “Why” and “How” questions.
Then, using the concepts presented in Crafting Clear Thesis Statements. Your thesis should be at least 1 solid sentence long, but don’t go over 3 sentences. Again, focus on answering (not asking) one of the “why” and/or “how” statements – that helps to keep us on track with these being analytical in nature.
After reviewing Types of Sources (and How to Use Them), How to Cite Pop Culture Texts and MLA Citation (includes Cheat Sheet for Formatting), generate the citation for your chosen cultural text(s) as well as any secondary sources you plan on using
