English
1. What is your chosen topic, and how did you come across it? Why is it interesting to you? What do you personally hope to gain or accomplish by writing about this topic? In this section, define your topic and explain where you first heard about it (i.e. local newspaper, website, etc.). Reflect on how or why your background, motivations, needs, or interest sparked your interest on this topic and relate to your overall goals for writing
The topic, Breakdown on Hipster, explains the context of the emergence of Hipsters as a subculture that breaks away from the mainstream pop culture. Since the mainstream pop industry has introduced western consumerism to a vast number of teenagers and youth in terms of lifestyle and culture, the hipster subculture, according to Haddow (2008), culminates the Western Civilization and depicts the hopeless superficiality of the mainstream society. In other words, hipsters break away from the common ground and introduces an alternative culture as manifested in their fashion sense, music choices, and political views, among many others.
The writer first encountered the topic on the internet and became interested on why the youth adopt the subculture. The topic motivated the writer to explain why hipsters embrace a certain trend outside the mainstream. It answers the questions why some wear tight jeans and sneakers, why some listen to indie music, and why they chose to be non-conforming, among others.
The topic interests the writer because of the distinct lifestyle and culture that hipsters promote. The writer chose the topic understand the context and the underlying theories on the subculture that may draw more discourse on its impact on culture and the society.
2. Provide a brief summary of the topic. Explain the current issues surrounding the topic and share at least two different positions on the topic. As this is a summary, this section should be written in your own words; however, you must first conduct research to complete this section. Find at least two sources that offer differing perspectives on this topic and summarize their points of view. In your summary, also explain who the author or publishing organization is and how he, she, or it relates to the topic.
Wearing of tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers and thick glasses are often associated with the hipsters.
Hipsters denote the subculture among men and women in their 20’s and 30’s that breaks away from the mainstream as manifested in their independent thinking, different points of view in politics, counter-culture, creativity expression, style, and music choices. According to Plevin (2008) hipsters shun tags and being tagged. They do not conform to the mainstream and the trends, and instead adopt their own style and choices. Greif, Ross and Tortorici (2010) explains that the subculture poses a poseur that manifests in the childlike naivety celebrations, smart shopping of vintage and artistic apparels, and choice of music.
Hipsters has met criticisms since its emergence in the post-punk era of the 1980’s. Beneroia (2013) explains that the eccentricity promoted by the hipster movement annoyed people most. In her interview with Stuart Berman (Beneroia, 2013), the critic explains the people hates the hipsters’ vanity. More than their quest for new things and experiences, the criticisms centered at hipsters’ celebration for themselves for countering the mainstream. Also, the hipster trends has the tendency to become part of the mainstrem as soon as many would conform to the subculture. Benaroia (2013) says that the masses who adopt to popular culture embrace the culture as soon it becomes popular whether in stores or in the streets.
On the other hand, the opposition of the hipster movement to major labels and the pop culture caught the attention of the youth and provided them an avenue to create their own brands and substitute commercialism. The movement endeavored a certain level of coolness or being trendy from veering away from the mainstream, rebelling from dominant trends and from countering culture (Reyner, 2010). In fact, hipsters establish their careers in the fields of music, art, and fashion because of their creativity and non-conformity. Greif, Ross and Tortorici (2010) relate that the subculture believes that it catalyzes change through its celebration of redistribution of wealth, far from the notion of capitalism that benefits only the elite. Hipsters act as revolutionaries that introduces change in fashion, change in consumption perspectives and discovery of the new. In the midst of the challenging times, the hipster movement introduces an alternative in a society dominated by consumerism and decadence.
3. What specific issue will you write about within the larger topic, and what unique angle will you provide?
The hipster subculture can be attributed to the broader context of the mainstream pop culture. In terms of fashion, music, lifestyle, behaviors, and thinking, pop culture has greatly influenced many people in many aspects of their lives. It represents a culture that dictates what norms are acceptable and not acceptable. On the other hand, it promotes trends and introduces a diverse and creative means to express one’s self through its different mediums.
The writer will examine the wider context of pop culture and how it permeates the lives of people through the years. The mass media, as the promoter of pop culture, will also be scrutinized to determine how it shaped the society in a superficial, consumerist, and corrupted way.
Should be given the chance to write about pop culture, it will be presented into three parts: the historical context, the description of pop culture-its pros and cons, and its impact to the society. The writer will integrate socially-relevant articles and scholarly studies that explains the roots of pop culture. It will be written in a language that can be easily comprehended by readers-young and old alike.
Argumentation and persuasion will be used to delve deeper into the exploitative and consumerist nature of pop culture. The essay will encourage the readers to apply critical thinking skills in studying the advantages and disadvantages of pop culture.
4. Define your audience. Who are they, and what are their needs, motivations, and influences? In what ways will you need to structure your writing to appeal to them? Analyze the groups and individuals who are reading and writing on your chosen topic. Work to define who they are and how their backgrounds will dictate your writing approach.
The writer targets the youth, teenagers and the adults to better understand the emergence of the hipster subculture. The purpose of the paper is for them to analyze the underlying causes why hipsters’ exist and why they break from the mainstream. These groups of readers need to further their understanding on various cultures to avoid biases and prejudices. Readers will be able to think critically as to the root causes of the hipster subculture and relate it to their personal convictions, assumptions, and thoughts.
Teenagers and youth will be enlightened on their and their peers’ decisions on why they choose to be hipsters. They will be able to weigh in the pros and cons of being a hipster. They will have clear picture on the subculture based on scholarly articles and studies conducted professionals in the field of social sciences. Adults will have a clear understanding on the hipster subculture and relate it to their experiences. They will be able to assess the choices they make through their understanding of the diversity of culture.
The essay is written in the form of definition. As stated by Sims (2012), the definition essay seeks to explain, define, and clarify a concept to the readers. In this case, the paper explains the subculture of hipsters based on studies conducted by experts. Since the concept of hipster movement is vague, the essay will provide the readers a clear, concise, and supported explanation of the subculture. This will shed a light on the commonly misunderstood and misinterpreted topic.
References
Benaroia, I. (2013, August 17). The hipster hate-on: Warranted or just plain mean? - The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/enough-with-the-hipster-hate-on/article13736912/
Greif, M., Ross, K., & Tortorici, D. (2010). What was the hipster?: A sociological investigation. New York: N+1 Foundation.
Haddow, D. (2008, July 29). Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters. Retrieved from https://www.adbusters.org/magazine/79/hipster.html
Plevin, J. (2008, August 8). Who's a Hipster? The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-plevin/whos-a-hipster_b_117383.html
Rayner, A. (2010, October 14). Why do people hate hipsters? | Fashion | The Guardian [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/14/hate-hipsters-blogs
Sims, M. (2012). The write stuff: Thinking through essays. Boston: Prentice Hall.
