You would not find an assignment like this in the syllabus ten years ago. Analysis of pop culture is a recent type of assignment, and there are not many convincing manuals on how to do it properly. However, you should not get discouraged as all you need to do to read how to write any cultural analysis and transform it into writing a pop culture analysis. Here we have tried to summarize available recommendations and present them to you in a cohesive manner. All the points below are relevant to your assignment. Some may seem a little obvious but keep reading. Remember, this manual was created by essay experts from a reliable paper writing service https://writemypaperhub.com/ for students of different academic levels. Also, the fact that you know about some analysis writing principle doesn’t mean that you already use it in practice. It is like knowing how to squat, but eating chips instead.

Choose an interesting subject

You are lucky if you have a choice. In many cases, the topics are given by a professor, and whether you like it or not, you have to write an essay before the deadline. So, if there is at least any chance, you can choose a topic on your own — use it. Offer your professor several topics that interest you, and let him/her take a pick with you. It is better to spend time looking for an exciting topic than to struggle with something you have zero interest in later.

Research its background

It is not “just a song,” or “just a picture,” or “just an advertisement.” We are not leaving in times when carving pictures on the walls of the cave was something extraordinary and new. Nothing is 100% new in our times, and you need to remember it writing your pop culture analysis. Pop culture emerged from other cultures, and you need to take background into account. Look for the similar works of artists of previous generations, think about the background of the creator of this piece, etc.

Formulate a clear thesis statement

Once you are done with the preliminary research, have an understanding of the background, and think you know the meaning of a particular work, you are ready to formulate a thesis statement. Yes, you need to formulate a thesis statement even for a small essay, not only for a research paper or dissertation. Your thesis statement should fit in one sentence and introduce the reader to the main thought of your entire analysis. It is good when a thesis statement represents some conflict when it has a hook and spices the interest of your readers.

Make comparisons

Making comparisons to prove your arguments is one of the easiest ways to deal with a pop culture analysis paper. You can compare this piece with other pieces of the same artist. You can use a particular time frame for this comparison, or analyze previous works, and works which came after the subject of your analysis. You can compare works of similar topics from different cultural fields. There are plenty of opportunities here. Just pick two or three, and you have more than half of your body part written.

Use a variety of theories and academic opinions

There are many theories that can be used as lenses to look through at some particular pop culture subject. We are sure there are several mentioned in your textbook. You don’t need to give an assessment to those theories, agree or disagree with them, you just need to implement your subject into this system and analyze it through a variety of facets.

Remember about your audience

Yes, most probably, your only audience is your professor, but you should keep a broader audience in mind. When you think only about your professor reading this analysis, your focus stays on the grade you receive, but when you imagine yourself in a role of a real columnist or critic, you start writing at another level of quality. It is a very simple approach, but this trick always works, you just need to boost your imagination a little. 

Find and analyze the social context

Analyzing the social context of a particular work for any type of cultural analysis is a must. It takes your paper to another level, as it shows you can think in broader terms. What was the political atmosphere that influenced the composer? Which social problems are highlighted by this piece? Answering these questions, you will easily impress your professor.

Once you are done with writing, make sure to read your final draft aloud in a speaking manner. It means you need to read rather slowly, as if you were talking to a friend, not reading a radio address. If you need two or more gasps of air to finish a sentence, that sentence is too long and should be cut at least in half. You can do it. Just start writing and don’t stop until you are done. Good job!