A model essay exploring how globalisation transforms identity and belonging, examining cultural exchange, the challenges faced by migrants, nationalism, and the case for cosmopolitan identity.
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-23
Understanding identity and belonging in a globalised world is crucial for navigating modern society, and this in-depth guide provides the concepts, examples, and exam strategies needed to write a top-grade essay on the topic.
Globalisation has reshaped the world in profound ways. Goods, people, ideas, and cultures cross borders with unprecedented speed and ease. While this interconnectedness has brought economic growth, scientific progress, and cultural exchange, it has also raised difficult questions about identity and belonging. Who are we when our cultural references come from dozens of countries, our neighbours speak different languages, and our online communities stretch across continents? This essay argues that globalisation does not erase identity — rather, it transforms it, making identity more complex, fluid, and contested than at any point in history.
Why this matters on the exam
The topic of identity and globalisation is a central theme in the English subject curriculum (LK20), particularly under the core element "The English-speaking world". Exam questions often require you to discuss how cultural interaction, migration, and global media influence individual and group identity. For instance, a past long-form exam task might ask you to "Discuss how globalisation affects individual identity, using examples from two English-speaking countries." Another could ask you to analyse a short story or poem that deals with a character's struggle to find belonging between two cultures. Mastering this topic provides you with a robust framework for analysing a wide range of texts and cultural phenomena, from postcolonial literature to the spread of global youth culture. …