On Reading and Creating Digital/Social Media

As one of the most recently emerging genres of expression, social media texts are still evolving in form and substance. Social media texts can consist of plain text, stylized text images, photographs, other forms of visual art, video, etc. and each of these forms can take many variations. Many social media platforms limit the length of a post either in characters or time (for video format), so social media creators need to carefully consider how to convey their message within the given constraints. Social media can be used for keeping in touch with individuals that one knows in “real life,” to reach a wider audience, to connect with notable people that one wants to communicate with, to sell products or persuade toward ideologies, and many other reasons. Social media has recently been used in neutral, positive, and incredibly destructive ways. Because most forms of social media are open to use by anyone, there is a wide variety of motivations for content creators, and thus many things that social media consumers need to take into account. To understand social media posts, it can help to ask these questions: 

What is the platform of the social media post?

Different platforms allow for different forms of expression, so it is important to consider the creator’s choice in which platform to use for their expression. How might the post be different if it was on Twitter vs. TikTok? Etc. 

What is the form of the social media post?

Is the post just text? If so, is it in the words of the poster or another author? Is the text stylized? Are there images in the social media post? Is the image paired with text? How much of the post is image compared to text? Is there a photograph, meme, gif, video? Is there any accompanying explanation with the image/media? How long is the post? 

How does the form of the social media post affect the meaning?

How effective is this post at conveying meaning? Would the message of this post be more effective if it was presented in a different format? Has it been left intentionally vague? Does the text or accompanying image/media lead you to believe the post is sincere? 

Who made the social media post?  

Is the post made by the individual the account represents? Is the post made on behalf of that individual? Is the post made by a corporation? Is it unclear who made the post? If the post is trying to inform or persuade, what are the credentials or experience of the poster that would add validity to the post? Why are they making this post? 

Who Was the Intended Audience?

Is the audience the real-life friends of the poster? Is the post intended for the world at large? Is it trying to reach a specific audience? 

What was the Purpose of the Post?

Is the post made to convey what is happening in the life of the individual? If so, is it a realistic portrayal or an idealized glimpse? Is the post meant to entertain the audience? Is the post made to inform the audience? Is the post meant to persuade the audience? Is the post made to draw attention to an issue? Is the post meant to advertise a product? 


Comments

Quinn Blackley said…
These are some great thoughts, Rachel! I appreciate how these sections serve to update the material we read in the original text. Your insights bring us into the present moment and some of the important nuances involved in the creation of contemporary media. I also find it interesting how relevant these tips are in relation to the more traditional medias in the original text, too.
January 12, 2022 at 3:04 PM
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