Gre analytical Writing issue essay Topic 101

GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 184 
"The worldwide distribution of television programs and advertisements is seriously diminishing 
the differences among cultures." 
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample 
Solution - 184 
Today television is an integral part of every household. Television viewing has become a daily 
activity, more than a source of entertainment for everyone. It offers its viewers an exposure with 
which they are exposed to most of the world and its culture. People get influenced with its 
programs and advertisements to a great extent. I agree that these programs and advertisements 
are diminishing the differences among cultures. There is an increased awareness about different 
cultures that results in blending of traits of all cultures. 
Since television has become increasingly popular, its programs and advertisements reach to a 
wide range of people. Moreover, the freedom of expression has further encouraged these 
programs to depict varied cultures. There are programs and movies from the west telecasted in 
the east. Similarly, the western countries can access the programs of the eastern countries. This 
not only makes it easier for them to understand different cultures but they also adopt many of 
these traits consciously or unconsciously. 
For example, since the western movies are shown in almost all parts of the world alike, it creates 
a great impact on the minds of its viewers. The film stars belonging to one part of the world 
become known and are admired by people all around the world who watch them on televisions 
and advertisements. These stars define fashion by what they wear and how they look, and people 
try to imitate their favorite star. In turn they incorporate many traits of the culture as are depicted 
by these stars. Similarly, the Buddhist culture made famous by the television programs has 
become very famous all over the world. We can see people from different parts of the world 
taking to Buddhism and other such sects since they have been encouraged by what they watch on 
television. 
This trend of borrowing from other cultures is most commonly seen amongst youngsters who are 
always ready to try new things. Young girls get influenced by clothes worn by Britney Spears 
and want to look like her. Therefore, a similar pattern of clothes can be seen adorned by a 
Chinese, American, Indian as well as Malaysian. However, this cultural influence is not 
restricted to youngsters only. Others seem to incorporate some features of a foreign culture in 
their lives as well. For example, people are shifting from joint families toward nuclear families, 
and from nuclear families to living alone or with a partner. Where marriages were an important 
feature of many cultures, live-in relationships can increasingly be seen in every part of the world. 
There is no doubt that the role played by television programs and advertisements in diminishing 
the differences amongst cultures is immense. As a result, a cosmopolitan culture has come into 

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existence that can be identified by most of the people all over the world. However, this does not 
mean that the original cultures would cease to exist in the times to come. Like there are people 
who accept the features of another culture, there are those who strictly follow their culture. This 
means that even if there is intermixing of cultures there are those who preserve their culture 
willingly. 
In the end I would like to conclude by saying that television not only introduces different 
cultures to people but also influences them to follow the traits in such a way that the difference in 
two cultures begins to diminish. At the same time it is by the conscious and deliberate efforts of 
few strong willed people that there is hope of survival of distinct cultures. 

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