Television has been one of the most influential inventions of the 20th century. From its early beginnings to the diverse programming of today, television has changed how people spend their leisure time and shaped modern culture. Writing an essay about television allows students to analyze this powerful medium from a variety of perspectives including its impact on society, the development of specific genres or shows, representations in television programming, and comparisons between television and other media like film or the internet. A well-researched television essay requires considering television’s history, key issues and debates, and incorporating relevant examples from television shows to support the thesis.
One way to approach a television essay is to focus on a specific topic related to its social or cultural impact. Some examples could include analyzing how television has influenced popular culture, shaped political discourse, impacted family life, changed consumer habits through advertising, or contributed to a more visual and image-based society. Exploring these types of topics allows for discussions of broader social and technological changes as television became an ubiquitous part of daily life in many parts of the world throughout the 20th century. Empirical studies, surveys, and television content could be used as evidence to examine television’s role and influence on society.
Essays can look closely at television within a particular historical period or era. For example, analyzing how television programming and network strategies developed differently during television’s early experimental years compared to after widespread affordability and adoption in the 1950s-60s post-World War II period. Or exploring changes between the transition from black and white to color television and the rise of cable networks offering more niche programming in the late 20th century. Contextualizing television’s evolution within specific decades deepens understanding of the synergies between technological change, business interests, and shifting social norms on content and culture over time.
Essays can also compare television to other related forms of visual culture and media. Discussions of early influences like radio or film help establish television’s gradual emergence in the entertainment landscape. Meanwhile, essays evaluating television’s transition to embrace elements of new media in the digital age consider convergences with computers, video games, and online streaming platforms. Positioning television amongst its predecessors and successors demonstrates continuities and changes in audience consumption habits and the entertainment industry. Topics assessing television against other mediums demand research across communication fields.
Narrowing the scope to focus on a television genre like sitcoms, dramas, news, reality shows, animation, or children’s programming enables deeper exploration of specific trends and representations within those categories. For instance, analyzing the evolution of family sitcom conventions from shows like Leave it to Beaver in the 1950s compared to more progressive representations of modern families on shows like Modern Family today. Or describing shifts in narrative formats and storytelling on prestige dramas as the industry pushed creative boundaries with groundbreaking episodic series in the 1990s and 2000s. Examining the formal properties and themes of individual genres showcases television’s versatility within specific fields.
On a micro-level, television essays can center around influential or groundbreaking individual television shows. Discussing how shows like I Love Lucy revolutionized sitcom production in the 1950s. How All in the Family tackled social and political issues in the 1970s before its time. Why The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest dramas of all time for innovating storytelling on television. Or analyzing cultural phenomenon shows like Friends, Seinfeld, or CSI for their enduring appeal and impact on audiences worldwide. Carefully selected relevant episodes bolster close readings of the narrative, themes, and reception of specific shows.
Regardless of the chosen topic or lens, thorough television essays require significant research methods. Background literature reviews establish a foundation for contextualizing the role of television more broadly or positioning subtopics historically and culturally. Secondary source materials from media scholars, historians, television journalists, and industry professionals provide authoritative context and perspectives. Primary sources include television content from specific shows, networks, genres or eras analyzed critically alongside surveys, audience studies, and business/ratings data assessing influences and impacts. Well-integrated examples from television programming strengthen thesis-driven analyses.
Proper organization is key to developing a cohesive television essay. An engaging introduction establishes the relevance and importance of the chosen topic, presents a clear thesis statement, and provides an overview of what will be discussed. Well-structured body paragraphs each analyze a sub-topic or element related to the central argument. Smooth transitions connect ideas between paragraphs. The conclusion draws final insights, reiterates main points concisely, and considers potential avenues for future research. As with any academic essay, a works cited page is necessary to credit all research sources properly using a consistent citation style.
There are countless productive avenues to approach essay topics associated with television, one of the most dominant cultural and technological innovations of the modern era. With diligent research methods and strong organization, students can critically analyze television’s influences on society, industry changes over time, impacts on culture through specific genres or shows, or comparisons to other forms of media entertainment. Exploring television through the lens of focused essay topics deepens understandings of its significance while demonstrating clear thinking and communication skills for any academic discipline.
Andrew Stroud