280 Pop Culture Topics for an A+ Essay

There are many ways to define popular culture. Here’s one of them: pop culture includes mainstream preferences in society within a specific time frame. It covers fashion, music, language, and even food. Pop culture is always evolving, engaging in new trends, and leaving the old ones behind.

This article offers you a list of pop culture topics covering its numerous aspects. Continue reading to find helpful tips on how to choose a perfect topic for your assignment. And don’t forget that custom-writing.org is ready to help you with any task. Check out our resources!

🔝 Top 10 Pop Culture Topics
✅ How to Choose a Topic
⭐ Top 10 Pop Culture Essay Topics
🎵 Music Topics
📰 Mass Media Topics
📚 Popular Literature
📺 Movies & T.V.
🇺🇸 American Pop Culture
🌐 Internet Phenomena
✍️ Pop Culture Analysis
🤔 Pop Culture & Social Issues
🔥 Controversial Pop Culture Topics
🕺 Pop Culture Argumentative Essay Topics
🎤 Pop Culture Persuasive Speech Topics
🔍 References

🔝 Top 10 Pop Culture Topics

How is politics related to sport?
Is religion related to pop culture?
Does music affect the fashion industry?
The ways technology affects pop culture
Is traveling a part of modern pop culture?

Pop culture’s impact on consumer behavior
How does globalization affect pop culture?
Is there a negative effect of popular fiction?
Entertainment industry during different generations
How does fandom culture vary around the world?

✅ How to Choose a Topic

Choosing a topic is the first step towards completing an assignment. This section will help middle, high school, and college students identify the right subject for an essay. Ask yourself these questions:

What are the requirements? Make sure you understand the task you need to complete.
What are your options? Every course has its unique requirements. Generally, you encounter one of the two situations:
- You are free to choose your topic. Keep in mind the purpose of the course and the material covered in class. Brainstorm your ideas and choose the one you like the most!
- You are provided with a list of topics to choose from. In this case, start by reviewing every option. Eliminate the ones you are least excited about. Then, select a subject that seems the most interesting to you.
What do you already know? Of course, you could choose a topic that is brand-new for you. But working with a familiar subject will make the research easier.
What does your instructor say about the topic? Don’t hesitate to consult with your instructors before writing. Make sure that the selected topic fits the requirements.

Now you understand how to select the right subject for your assignment. Let’s see the topic options! If you looked through the list but still haven’t found anything that insterests you, try your luck with an essay ideas generator.

⭐ Top 10 Pop Culture Essay Topics

Gender equality in fashion
Is food a part of pop culture?
Characteristics of pop art
Pop culture vs. folk culture
K-pop culture’s impact on fashion
How cultural appropriation affects media
Consumer culture and the world economy
Entertainment industry and mental health
The role of media in the music industry
Is TikTok a part of modern pop culture?

🎵 Popular Culture Topics about Music

Music never stops changing. It came a long way from hand-crafted instruments to computer programming. You can write about music that was popular in a specific timeframe or discuss the latest trends. Here is a list of topic ideas on this subject.

How did space-age discoveries affect rock music?
Discuss music marketing in the digital era.
Describe the features of Latin American pop music.
What makes K-Pop stand out?
The role of pop music for your generation.
Write about the origin of hip-hop.
Select a time period and write about its music trends.
Analyze the evolution of pop music starting from the 1950s.

Write about the occupational hazards of being a musician.
The origin and development of sunshine pop.
Choose a music album and analyze its impact.
Which pop music era seems the most interesting to you?
Pick a famous band and describe their career path.
Compare two different pieces of music from the 20th century.
What are the main features of rock music?
How do pop songs influence the teenage generation?
The role of radio broadcasting in the pop music industry.
Popular vs. serious music: a comparison.
Talk about a person who largely contributed to pop music.

What are the functions of film music?
Can popular songs influence public opinion on a specific subject?
Why do some people develop a very negative attitude towards pop music?
Describe the role of music in your life.
Do famous artists influence the lifestyle of their fans?
Discover why some entertainers remain famous even after their death.

📰 Mass Media Pop Culture Essay Topics

Popular culture exists and survives because of the mass media. With its help, it reaches and unites billions of people. Television, radio, and newspapers are the main outlets of mass media. Here is the list of media-related pop culture topics to write about.

Do magazines publish celebrity gossip too often?
Describe the way mass media dictates fashion standards to young adults.
Analyze the link between pop culture and mass media in the U.S.
Does mass media influence the preferences of the audience?
Describe how the media contributes to stereotypes about minorities.
Should newspapers expose sensitive details about celebrities’ lives?
How can one make sure not to consume fake news?
Analyze the peculiarities of New Journalism.
Discover the influence of the New York Times on the press.
Write about radio stations contributing to pop culture in the past.
Discuss racial stereotyping on television.
Talk about an influential online news resource.
Body as a subject in media and marketing.
What kind of pop culture topics are not broadcast via mass media?
Would you consider Twitter a mass media source?
Talk about the media and the global public sphere.
Write about promotional campaigns via mass media.
Is it possible for an artist to gain fame without the internet?
Which websites are known for spreading fake news?
How to avoid information overload nowadays?
Conduct a semiotic analysis of a perfume commercial.
Can pop culture survive without American media?
Describe the American Idol phenomenon.
Talk about the internet’s effects on journalism.
Which influencers do you personally prefer and why?

📚 Modern Popular Literature Essay Topics

This section will be fun for book lovers! The term “popular literature” refers to writings intended for a broad audience. It’s no surprise that such books often become bestsellers. You can describe this type of writing as fiction with a strong plot. Look at this list of topic ideas for a great analytical, argumentative, or informative essay.

Describe the magic of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books.
Discover the initial public opinion about The Handmaid’s Tale.
Why did The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo become a bestseller?
Principles used in Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson.
Why did Enduring Love by Ian McEwan gain popularity?
What charmed the readers of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton?
Discuss the theme of change in Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee.
Discover the way the sad ending in The Lucky One affected the readers.
Orange Is the New Black: Netflix series vs. book.
What made The Wednesday Letters different from other love novels?

How did The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins become iconic?
Describe the characters of Katherine Min’s Courting a Monk.
Discover the way Atonement by Ian McEwan impacted the readers.
What values are encouraged in Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks?
Discuss the initial public opinion about Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Self-awareness in The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman.
Analyze the success of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
Discuss the literary issues of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.
How did the public accept the controversial message of The Da Vinci Code?
Did Aziz Ansari’s reputation contribute to the fame of his book Modern Romance?
What made The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer popular?
Analyze the fanbase of The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.
What draws the readers to Confessions of a Shopaholic?
Explore confession and forgiveness in The Lovely Bones.
Why did The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield gain popularity?

📺 Pop Culture Topics: Movies and T.V.

Movies and T.V. shows are an integral part of U.S. culture. This category includes films based on popular literature and all-time-classic movies. T.V. production is often accompanied by a massive amount of merchandise that fills clothing and toy stores. The following list will help you select an on-point essay topic.

Write about the way the Star Wars saga unifies several generations.
The Wizard of Oz in relation to populist movement.
Analyze the impact of King Kong on cinema.
What makes New York City an iconic location for movies?
Describe the role of fandom in pop culture.
Is it better to watch a movie at home vs. in theater?
Why is Lord of the Rings considered one of the greatest trilogies?
Define the genre of Scarface.
How does Groundhog Day relate to Buddhism?
Did The X-Files inspire conspiracy theories?
Analyze the way Friends logo entered the clothing industry.
Write about the role of the media in Jerry Maguire.
Why did the movie Aliens become popular?
Discover the effects of Western movies on Arab youth.
What has brought Terminator into pop culture?
Write about the impact Rocky had on viewers.
Discuss what fans appreciate about The Matrix movies.
Racism and masculinity in A Soldier’s Story.
Write about a successful Marvel movie.
What makes D.C. movies iconic?
Describe the role of social workers in Crash.
Discuss the periods of The Simpsons’ fame.
Analyze the way Parks and Recreation reflect the U.S. culture.
Talk about your favorite blockbuster.
Should government control the contents of T.V. shows?

🇺🇸 American Pop Culture Topics

The history of the United States was always reflected in various art forms. Today its pop culture highlights social identity and carries on the American heritage. In this section, you can explore the elements that contribute to American pop culture.

How did globalization impact American pop culture?
Analyze the influence of the American movie industry on the world.
Write about Hispanic American culture.
Explore the place of alien encounters narrative within American culture.
Write about a specific period of American pop culture.
Examine the popularity of American movies overseas.
Write about the history and influence of Halloween.
Discover the economic value of the American entertainment industry.
Write about an aspect of the American pop culture you’re most proud of.

What would you like to change about the U.S. pop industry?
American folk culture vs. pop culture.
Which countries are not influenced by American culture at all?
Describe the role of T.V. broadcasting for the U.S.
Talk about American fast food as a part of pop culture.
Discover vacation destinations in and outside of the U.S.
Why is so much of today’s pop culture focused on the 80s?
How significant is Disney for Americans?
Discover the roots of U.S. pop culture.
How does the American pop industry portray sexuality?
Analyze the way pop culture unifies American citizens.
What are the destructive trends prevalent in the U.S.?
Discuss gender roles in American cartoons.
What does American pop teach about lifestyle?
How quickly do new fashion trends spread across the U.S.?
Discuss the way the U.S. pop culture reflects its historical values.

🌐 Popular Culture Essay Topics on Internet Phenomena

The internet is the ultimate means of communication worldwide. The rise of online trends is quite unpredictable, which is why it’s called internet phenomena. Memes, videos, challenges will be the focus of this section. Continue reading to find a fun essay topic!

What purpose was intended for the Ice bucket challenge?
What made the dab famous worldwide?
Describe a dangerous internet phenomenon.
Why were teens attracted to the fire challenge?
Analyze the way Harlem Shake went viral.
What is people’s attitude towards social media?
How does something become an internet phenomenon?
Describe the influence of the Thriller dance on the world.
Debate the ethics of Coffin Dance.
What’s the reason for Gangnam Style’s fame?
How did the Momo challenge turn into a worldwide phenomenon?
Write about an internet phenomenon that emerged in 2020.
Talk about an online challenge you participated in.
What made Bongo Cat famous for many years?
Write about a politics-themed online phenomenon.
What distinguishes popular video games nowadays?
Analyze the role of TikTok in song advertisement.
Write about a comics book that gained popularity online.
Discover online challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Describe the Bernie Sanders phenomenon among college students.
What internet phenomena are popular amongst the older generation?
Discuss the outcomes of a viral fundraising challenge.
Talk about one of the earliest internet phenomena.
How did the first memes appear on the internet?
Write about a web cartoon that qualifies as an internet phenomenon.

✍️ Pop Culture Analysis Topics to Write About

Pop culture includes many components you could write about. For an analytical paper, feel free to pick any aspect of pop culture. You can focus on positive, negative, or controversial factors. Make sure to use academic resources and professional critique. Here are some topic examples of your future paper.

How does pop culture impact public health?
Analyze Coca Cola marketing strategies from the sensory perspective.
Will the entertainment industry survive without encouraging predatory behavior?
The influence of popular culture on young people and their national identity building.
Analyze a popular culture artifact of your choice.
What makes a pop song relatable?
Why is popular literature often made into films?
How does Instagram affect people’s lives?
Will your generation be drawn to pop culture decades from now?
How can one become famous in the age of informational overload?
Analyze the price one is paying for remaining popular.

Why do some classic paintings become a commodity?
Write about a person who significantly impacted T.V.
Pick a T.V. show and analyze its rise to popularity.
Discover how one becomes an influencer.
Do video games have any positive effects?
In what ways does politics influence pop culture?
How necessary is funding for the pop industry?
Why have memes become a popular form of communication?
What things should celebrities stop promoting?
Analyze YouTube’s contributions to pop culture.
Talk about the important messages in current pop music.
What catches the attention of modern consumers?
How did the 2020 pandemic influence pop culture?
What happens to famous artists who quit their career?

Pop culture reveals social issues and creates new ones. In your paper, consider various aspects of society. Think about popular culture’s effect on different generations, languages, or values. The following list will help you select an interesting essay topic.

To what extent does popular culture determine the perception of wealth as a life priority?
Do pop songs represent the voice of society?
What social issues does pop music contribute to?
Analyze the media’s influence on women’s self-image.
How does an expectation of the zombie apocalypse affect the Americans?
The impact of T.V. shows on self-realization amongst teenagers.
Does popular literature disconnect teenagers from society?
Why do people incorporate fictional characters in protest marches?
What do modern toys teach children about body image?
Did pop culture contribute to social unrest in the U.S.?
Discover the way popular movies contribute to discrimination.
In what ways do memes influence public opinion?
Analyze the effects of mass media on one’s sexuality.
Examine the impact of YouTube on young adults’ career choices.
Does pop culture promote promiscuous behavior?
Describe the way modern movies stigmatize obesity.
What family values are projected in today’s mass media?
Explore the harming side of fandoms.
Does mainstream media sabotage social norms or encourage them?
Do pop songs encourage rebellious behavior amongst teens?
What kind of lesson does pop culture teach about gender?
Correlation between mobile games and the overuse of display devices.
Discover stereotypes that are prevalent in the pop industry nowadays.
Analyze the effect of television on bullying.
In what light does pop culture portray religion?

🔥 Controversial Pop Culture Topics

If you’re a pop-culture enthusiast and want to delve deeper into this field by writing an essay or a research paper, you’re at the right place.

Here are the most burning and controversial pop culture titles about everything that shapes today’s world:

The fate of TikTok after Universal Music Group took its music off the app.
Gender stereotypes perpetuated in ’90s romcoms.
Is cancel culture effective in addressing social issues?
The impact of Taylor Swift’s decision to reclaim ownership of her music catalog.
Examine the controversies surrounding the Oscar nominations for 2024.
The prevalence of gatekeeping within K-pop fandoms.
How do memes shape societal attitudes?
The lack of representation of marginalized groups in video games.
Critique the Barbie movie in relation to modern feminist ideals.
Explore the harmful effects of glamorizing criminals through true crime content.
The problematic nature of the “clean girl aesthetics” trend.
Do brands truly promote inclusivity or exploit racial stereotypes for commercial gain?
Investigate the impact of violent and misogynistic lyrics in rap music on society.
How do AI influencers affect real social media users’ self-image?
Evaluate fanfiction’s impact on intellectual property.
The responsibility of TV shows to accurately represent mental health issues.
Do ASMR videos have therapeutic benefits?
The ethics of adapting books into movies without the input of the original author.
Misrepresentation of indigenous mythology in Harry Potter.
Celebrity autobiographies: self-expression or strategic image management?

🕺 Pop Culture Argumentative Essay Topics

There are many things people debate about when it comes to pop culture. If you have a strong opinion on some pop culture phenomena and want your voice heard, why not write an argumentative paper?

Check out our great collection of essay topics below:

How the rise of K-pop revolutionized the music industry.
Do streaming platforms like Spotify benefit or harm the music industry?
The comeback of ’90s fashion trends reflects a rejection of fast fashion.
Are award shows like the Oscars and Grammys truly representative of talent?
The phenomenon of stan culture fosters toxic behavior and cyberbullying.
Сelebrity collaborations with fast food chains promote unhealthy eating habits.
Do fashion brands support unethical labor practices?
Reboots and sequels to beloved franchises are lazy cash grabs.
Does the rise of influencer culture prioritize image over authenticity?
Do superhero movies fuel unrealistic standards of masculinity and femininity?
Vinyl records vs. digital music: which is better?
Are fan conventions a commercialized exploitation of fans’ loyalty?
The trend of remaking classic films indicates a lack of originality in pop culture.
The obsession with celebrity gossip distracts from important social issues.
Pop culture’s emphasis on youth and beauty perpetuates ageism.
To what extent does YouTube’s algorithm influence the types of content creators produce?
The commercialization of holidays in pop culture has detracted from their original meaning.
The rise of nostalgia-driven content reflects a desire to escape current problems.
Is the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in pop culture improving?
Do fast-paced trends in social media contribute to environmental waste?

🎤 Pop Culture Persuasive Speech Topics

Giving a persuasive speech might be challenging even for experienced orators. Choosing an inspirational topic can help decrease anxiety and boost confidence.

Have a look at our list of the most trendy speech topics on pop culture:

Why you should start a YouTube channel now.
Cosplay as a form of creative self-expression.
How internet memes shape modern communication.
How Game of Thrones transformed television and redefined pop culture.
Describe the benefits of shared movie experiences.
Virtual concerts as a sustainable alternative to traditional live shows.
How listening to podcasts can expand knowledge and improve critical thinking.
Life lessons that you can learn from pop culture.
How webtoons revolutionized comics and graphic storytelling.
Explain the cultural significance of the zombie movies.
NFTs: the democratization of collecting in the digital age.
Why comic books continue to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Examine why Marvel is dominating the superhero genre.
The need for social media detox in a hyper-connected world.
How Bookstagram is revolutionizing the literary world.
Clarify why esports deserve recognition as a legitimate sport.
How do music festivals promote diversity and inclusivity?
The impact of travel influencers on destination choices and cultural perception.
TikTok challenges and their influence on youth behavior.
How virtual influencers shape the future of brand engagement.