How to incorporate pop culture references into your TOEFL essay?

Introduction

TOEFL is a crucial exam if you are pursuing studies or working in another country to showcase your writing and speaking skills. Hence, it is very important to keep the examiner interested and hold their attention with your answers. One of the keys to making your essay interesting and relevant is adding references to pop culture. 

Suppose a celebrity endorses any product; we get attracted and find it is an authentic product. Similarly, if we write pop culture references in an essay, it indicates that you are very much knowledgeable about what is happening. This article tries to cover some ways in which you can add these references along with examples. 

What is pop culture? 

Pop culture, or popular culture, lies in the fact that they are popular and are remembered by almost everyone for ages through TV shows, films, music, social media, or fashion. It is a mirror view of the image of society and helps us understand what the world is all about. For example, we have seen different art, culture, and regional movies that are ever-evolving from old times till today but are still remembered. 

Pop culture references in TOEFL essay 

The TOEFL is a short form for the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an English exam to study or work abroad and has a writing section. This section has two tasks, one is an independent task wherein you have to write about a topic given to you, and the other one is an integrated task wherein you have to listen to a short passage and write about it. The topics can be related to family, education, technology, TV, foreign policies, games, science, and culture. 

Here are the ways to add pop culture references to the TOEFL essay writing task-

Write a relevant reference 

If you are given a topic about the importance of group work, then you can add a reference to the movie “The Avengers,” which tells about how working together can achieve things like saving the world. The reference should be relevant and on-point and should not look like some forced information. 

Bring clarity 

You should write with utmost clarity. If somebody has not heard about that pop culture, then also they should be able to get the gist of it. For example, if you are writing about the internet’s benefits, you can mention some famous YouTubers or influencers and how they are earning lakhs of income from it. 

Write in the same tone 

If you are writing about some serious issues in society, then you should not add pop culture references to a comedy show or content related to comedy. You should set the tone in the beginning and make it follow till the end. 

Write the value-added references 

You should write the references which add value to your essay and should not look heavily imposed by adding something or the other. These references should not talk about the things that are not meant for the topic. 

Examples of pop culture references 

The list of examples of pop culture can be endless, but here are some examples which you can incorporate into your TOEFL essay and get high scores- 

• TV show or movie: If writing about mental health, the TV show “Friends” stands out for its portrayal of interpersonal relationships and effective communication in resolving issues.
• Song or musician: When it comes to spreading positivity, Taylor Swift’s chart-topping song “Shake It Off” and the uplifting track “Roobaroo Roshni” from the Bollywood film “Rang De Basanti” are noteworthy references.
• Social media: Illustrating the negative impact of social media, consider the platform Instagram. For instance, it can be highlighted how users may experience feelings of jealousy or demotivation by perceiving others’ seemingly luxurious lives, which may not necessarily reflect reality.
• Cricket: Demonstrating the significance of cricket for a nation, mention iconic cricket events like the IPL (Indian Premier League) and renowned players such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, who have played pivotal roles in elevating both the sport and their respective countries.

These are just a few examples. You can learn more by reading a lot and practicing incorporating pop culture references in the TOEFL essay.

Key takeaways 

• Pop culture is a reflection of today’s society and what is famous around us, which can be used in writing an essay or articles. 
• To enhance the relevance and appeal of a TOEFL essay, incorporate pop culture references in a clear and meaningful manner.
• An example of pop culture in a TOEFL essay could be surrounding any topic – teamwork, social media, music, comedy, money, sports, etc. 

We hope that this blog has given you new ideas for your TOEFL exam. If you are looking for further assistance with the TOEFL exam and the exam pattern, get in touch with us. We will guide you on the right way towards your dream journey.

Found this article useful? Know more about the TOEFL writing test! Read: TOEFL writing samples for preparation in 2022

FAQs 

Q1. Why is it called pop culture? 

Answer: It is called pop culture because it is widely popular and passes across generations, boundaries, or even countries through the media or beliefs. It is the reflection of what the current state of any society is. 

Q2. Is 27 a good writing score in TOEFL? 

Answer: Yes, 27 is a good writing score in TOEFL and adds you to the advanced scores range, which falls between 24 and 30. With a score of 27, you will be able to get around in the 90th to 92nd percentile range in the writing section of the TOEFL exam.

Q3. How do you get pop culture references? 

Answer: You can get pop culture references from watching, reading, listening, or discussing with your peers. You need to have an open eye on what’s happening in the world outside the books and make a list of references that you think can help you in any writing piece.