Revised Draft of Paper #4: Rhetorical Inquiry of Self-Identity of Twitter Memes

Abstract

Twitter is an open-abroad app available to anyone who chooses to make a profile. It’s grown immensely throughout the years and almost all of the international population has been involved in “tweeting” and “hash tagging”. With its growth, also has come the breakthrough of the so called ‘memes’. I conducted a survey related specifically just about ‘memes’ and how they affect the self-identity of a person. Most importantly I mentioned the different types of social media platforms in order to give a more related perspective to my intended audience in choosing they’re preferred way of expressing themselves with ‘memes’.

Introduction

Have you ever used memes? If you have, do you ever feel as if sharing a ‘meme’ shows the type of person you are? Twitter is a daily used app that’s gotten international recognition, especially due to its popularity in transcending Internet memes. A single picture, video or “gif” can lead to the beginning of an unforgettable, almost always humoristic ‘meme’. Notably, on social media platforms no one is able to show who they truly are. ‘Memes’ however, allow anyone to show a true identity as to how they perceive themselves to be. The question that drives me to gathering more insight regarding on this is, how do ‘memes’ allow users to construct self-identity on Twitter? Not only does a ‘meme’ spark a trend, but it tends to spark debate and adds charisma to those posting about it.

Background

Debates seem to be sparked at a consistent rate in the present time, mainly because of the types of social Medias we’ve grown accustomed to use. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr are a few of the main platforms for which ‘memes’ are able to make their presence known. A ‘meme’ isn’t characterized as a ‘meme’ until it’s introduced and revolutionized by or from any sort of Internet platform. Whether it was you or the person next to you, a ‘meme’ can relatively be easy to get a hold of because of the way the world is today with all the newest ways of technology taking over our daily lives. Since the beginning of the year 2017, ‘memes’ have only gotten much more attention than ever before. To point out, being a user of all these Internet platforms allows me to stay up to date with any sort of breaking or new information related to ‘new memes’.

A Facebook user recently put up a calendar which showed all the months of this coming year. The past three months of the current year were seen with a collage of images in them. These images aren’t just pictures, but Internet ‘memes’ which took over the entire month and brought upon an identity to anyone who used them throughout the entire month. This sort of movement within itself is in reality a self-identity being presented. Given that someone who themselves is a user of ‘memes’ created the image to signify the evolution of the Internet ‘meme’.

Literature Review

Visual Argumentation

‘Memes’ are in essence images that are taken and formalized into often a humoristic visual rhetoric. The expansion of a certain ‘meme’ can contain a source of so much identity within itself, that when someone uses it to their opinion or advantage, they initiate somewhat an argument because of it. An author who was involved in an infamous riot kiss picture of a couple after a Stanley Cup Finals hockey game mentions that the picture, “sparked” an immense amount if debate because experts and several visual analyzers spoke in saying that the picture was, “fake” and “photo shopped”(Hahner). Furthermore, Hahner goes into specific context on this image and the impact it had on the society around it. The author states, “Accounts of controversy provide a productive avenue to pursue the multiplicity of arguments created by the riot kiss photograph” (pg.3). In addition, the image is controversial, but what stands out the most about the ‘meme’ is that it wasn’t twitched or changed to show an appealing effect. The image itself was self-characterized in this case as a sweet moment of a couple sharing their emotions in a celebratory environment ironically surrounded by a riot.

Research Methods

In order to discover more information regarding the usage of ‘memes’ on Twitter, I conducted a survey mainly constructed by 5 simple questions. Each question was in regard to the actual usage of ‘meme’, whether they used it on a different platform, a certain conversation, and how they felt when in fact using a ‘meme’. In order to gather good substantial evidence, my survey was strictly just open to around 15-20 people. Participants were male and female, ages ranging from 18-27. These participants are also in regard University students whom in general use any sort of social media platform.

The questions were different but still considered the same aspect in pertaining to the use of ‘memes’. Question number one specifies which social media platform, including Twitter, do you use a ‘meme’ the most in. The second question discusses if specifically which social media platform do you think is incorporated more in the usage of ‘memes’. Next, question number three explains how often we use a ‘meme’ in an online conversation. The following question in the survey mentions if when using a ‘meme’ our self-identity is being perceived as humorist. The final question of the survey ends by asking if using a ‘meme’ in later years will continue to be a trend in their social media uses.

Research Findings

According to my survey results, each questions varied on their respective answers. The first question showed that Twitter, out of any other social media, is used the most when engaging with ‘memes’ at 35.7% from the 100% possibility. The following question shows an equal amount (33.3%) of students who either sometimes or rarely use ‘memes’ in an online conversation. In the third question more than half (53.3%) of college students perceive themselves as being “humorist” when engaging in an actual online conversation. When gathering evidence for the fourth question, the diagram shows that Twitter (33.3%) according to the survey, shows that University students tend to think of ‘memes’ being used in a general sense in the Twitter platform than any other social online platform. In regards to the final question, 60% of college students will continue to use ‘memes’ in years ahead, with also amounts of 26.7% saying maybe and 13.3% saying no.

Conclusion

After gathering all my information and looking back at what the actual representation of ‘memes’ have on society has changed my view as to how a ‘meme’ is classified. My question wondered whether self-identity is changed or gained because of a ‘meme’. Through my gatherings, studies, and survey it’s come to my attention that mostly anyone who uses social media, tends to stick with Twitter. Although there was other platforms mentioned, when involving Internet ‘memes’, Twitter seemed to stand out the most when bringing up the way ‘memes’ are used. As I look upon the entire concept, I’ve learned that a ‘meme’ isn’t really a ‘meme’ until society makes it into one. How we characterize it, is what’ll then allow us to use it in context when having a simple conversation or even an extensive formal argument. This trend will only devour itself through Twitter at an alarming rate for the rest of the years coming by. Somewhere out there, there’s a ‘meme’ being made without anyone realizing it. Are ‘memes’ ever going to stop being popular? With the society we coincide with and the generation we live in, images, social Medias and extensive ways of communicating won’t stop. They’ll only get more complex and elevate immense discourse communities who choose to accept the ‘meme’. 

Works Cited 

Hahner, Leslie A. "The riot kiss: framing memes as visual argument." Argumentation and Advocacy, vol. 49, no. 3, 2013, p. 151+ . General OneFile 

First Draft of Paper #4: Rhetorical Inquiry of Self-Identity of Twitter Memes

Jose Mejia

Mrs. Reyes

English 1302

4/18/2017

First Draft of Paper #4: Rhetorical Inquiry of Self-Identity of Twitter Memes

Have you ever used memes? If you have, do you ever feel as if sharing a meme shows the type of person you are? Twitter is a daily used app that’s gotten international recognition, especially due to its popularity in transcending internet memes. A single picture, video or “gif” can lead to the beginning of an unforgettable, almost always humoristic meme. On social media platforms no one is able to show who they truly are. Memes however, allow anyone to show a true identity as to how they perceive themselves to be. The question that drives me to gathering more insight at on this is, how do memes allow users to construct self-identity on Twitter? Not only does a meme spark a trend, but it tends to spark debate and adds a charisma to those posting about it.

Debates seem to be sparked at a consistent rate in the present time, mainly because of the types of social Medias we’ve grown to use. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr are a few of the main platforms for which memes are able to make their presence known. A meme isn’t characterized as a ‘meme’ until it’s introduced and revolutionized by or from any sort of Internet platform. Whether it was you or the person next to you, a meme can relatively be easy to get a hold of because of the way the world is today with all the newest ways of technology taking over our daily lives. Since the beginning of the year 2017, memes have only gotten much more attention than ever before. Being a user of all these Internet platforms allows me to stay up to date with any sort of breaking or new information related to ‘new memes’. A Facebook user recently put up a calendar which showed all the months of this coming year. The months of January, February, and even March are seen with a collage of images in them. These images aren’t just pictures, but Internet memes which took over the entire month and brought upon an identity to anyone who used them throughout the entire month. This sort of movement is within itself a self-identity being presented because someone who themselves is a user of ‘memes’ created the image to signify the evolution of the Internet meme.

To have more insight on how memes characterize self-identity on an individual, having the knowledge of how a meme is begun helps with the process on how someone is perceived as to speaking in a certain way because of it. The more someone uses a meme to express their feelings or in response to a certain peer is self-identification within itself. Debates tend to spark because of memes, but not in a negative manner per say. Broader visual rhetorical images involving social disturbance are more incorporated in bringing debates up for discussion. In an argument however, memes seem to present themselves upon certain individuals to let the ‘meme’ “speak” in their part.

Analysis of Self-Identity Controversy

In order to further understand the way a meme is characterized when used by an individual, getting familiar with how self-identity is constructed is an immense asset as to how to know when it’s viewed as credible. A researcher mentioned that when knowing how to use a meme in a specific argument, not only do you use it in your own sort of persona but you gain credibility as to what it is you’re in favor or oppose of (Ding, Zhao). In compliance with self-identity, a person cannot be defined as to who they are by simply words in a social media platform. Many arguments are began through platforms and people have the right to their opinions through use of the affordances that are provided. Zhao explains, “Internet memes have become a resistant tool utilized by dominated groups to seek social justice.”(pg.4) the power invested in that statement by the author shows and solidifies the importance of how a meme is to our society and culture now. Not only does a meme influence itself in arguments and debates, but personifies itself to someone and gives them an attitude per say. According to Zhao, ‘memes’ are only expanding and the generation in which is involved with this movement, will only gain much more appreciation on how to influence the future of self-identity.

Visual Argumentation

Memes are in essence images that are taken and formalized into often a humoristic visual rhetoric. The expansion of a certain meme can contain a source of so much identity within itself, that when someone uses it to their opinion or advantage, they initiate somewhat an argument because of it. An author who was involved in an infamous riot kiss picture of a couple after a Stanley Cup Finals hockey game mentions that the picture, “sparked” an immense amount of debate because experts and several visual analyzers spoke in saying that the picture was, “fake” and “photo shopped”(Hahner). Furthermore, Hahner goes into specific context on this image and the impact it had on the society around it. The author states, “Accounts of controversy provide a productive avenue to pursue the multiplicity of arguments created by the riot kiss photograph” (pg.3). In retrospect with the previous paragraph, the controversy of the image is being shown as a debating situation. The image is controversial but what stands out the most about the ‘meme’ is that it wasn’t twitched or changed to be humoristic. The image itself was self-characterized in this case as a sweet moment of a couple sharing their emotions in a celebratory environment ironically surrounded by a riot.

  Discourse Communities related to Memes

            Certain groups or individuals characterized as being part of a specific society define themselves as being a part of a community. In this case, pertaining to a discourse community also incorporates the way they use such memes. In my previous paragraphs, I mention a writer by the name of Zhao. Zhao Ding is an Asian American, and when going into detail on what he mentions in his reading he says how certain memes are, “related to race”. Race is an immense contributor on as how a meme can be used. Not only is race defined as a discourse community, but really anything can be defined as that. Many scholars, mainly women have argued upon the injustice of females getting less recognition than the average male (Sam Sanders). Sanders in his research is explaining the meme showing contrast between Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton and their Presidential takes. This ‘meme’ caused a lot of debate because it showed humor, but the humor was then seen as a negative as to it was making fun of Hilary Clinton. Many feminism experts took this image as an insult to all women because of the way Clinton was getting seen by the public. Sanders mentions in a claim made by a feminist who favors Hilary, “women: can’t be funny, that they are calculating, stiff and that they are inherently unlikable.”(pg.7). Whether the meme was meant to be humoristic to all who saw it, a debate and an argument will always be brought upon any sort of controversial image.

             As I look upon the entire concept, I’ve learned that a meme isn’t really a ‘meme’ until society makes it into one. How we characterize it, is what’ll then allow us to use it context when having a simple conversation or even an extensive formal argument. This trend will only devour itself through Twitter at an alarming rate for the rest of the years coming by. Somewhere out there, there’s a meme being made without anyone realizing it. Are memes ever going to stop being popular? With the society we coincide with and the generation we live in, images, social Medias and extensive ways of communicating won’t ever stop. They’ll only get more complex and elevate immense discourse communities who choose to accept the ‘meme’.

Works Cited 

Sanders, Sam. "#MemeOfTheWeek: Bernie Or Hilary. Sexist or Nah?" NPR. NPR, 05 Feb. 2016. 

Hanher, Leslie A. "The riot kiss: framing memes as visual argument." Argumentation and Advocacy, vol. 49, no. 3, 2013, p. 151+ . General OneFile 

Ding, Zhao. "The Internet Meme as a Rhetoric Discourse: Investigating Asian/Americans' Identity Negotiation." ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis (2015) 

PAB #3

PAB #3

The article, “The Internet Meme as a Rhetoric Discourse: Investigating Asian/Asian Americans’ Identity Negotiation” written by Zhao Ding, published in ProQuest Dissertations explains the study of drawing concepts from rhetorical criticism, vernacular rhetoric, visual rhetoric and whiteness studies. Mainly to investigate how Asian/Asian Americans’ online identities are being constructed and mediated by Internet Memes. What’s being presented in this article is the discussion regarded to Internet memes, mainly in gathered from social Medias such as Reddit, Know Your Meme, and Tumblr. The overall argument being acclaimed here is broken down into two primary reasons. The first is the investigation of rhetorical features of Internet memes and the digital public environment. The second part of this thesis introduction is truly to apprehend how memes work to negotiate ethnic identities. The author also includes in his article, “Internet memes have become a resistant tool utilized by dominated groups to seek social justice.” (pg. 4)  More than anything Zhao Ding is using his knowledge of Internet memes and searching to gather information of how they portray and influence society regarding Asians/Asian Americans’ incorporated with this such rhetorical discourse community.

The claims being made by this excerpt are able to introduce me to the specific discourse community related to Internet memes and how, in this circumstance, it’s being explained through the stereotypical humoristic portray of Asian/Asian Americans. This specific article focuses on terms such as race, self-portray of memes, and the influence on how social media is able to create an identity to those who use memes in communication. The argument represented in this article is also going to break down the visual and vernacular rhetoric which will further dissect the author’s claim. Concrete evidence is gathered by the author by form of factual evidence regarding racial discrepancies and social injustice particularly towards the Asian/Asian American society. In relation to my inquiry and to my research question, the main points made by this reading help broaden my view of how memes indeed are able to form a self-identity, specifically through social medias.  

Works Cited 

Ding, Zhao. "The Internet Meme as a Rhetoric Discourse: Investigating Asian/Americans' Identity Negotiation." ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis (2015)  

PAB #2

PAB #2

The article, “The Riot Kiss: Framing Memes as Visual Argument” written by Leslie A. Hahner, published in the American Forensic Association analyzes the infamous riot kiss photograph taken by Rich Lam after game seven of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Vancouver. What is mainly being claimed is the subsequent life of this photo as a visual internet meme. The overall argument being acclaimed here is the exploration of this riot kiss photograph and how its clever appropriations engage this new understanding of memes and general frames. The author briefly illuminates how the insights of framing analysis and, “accounts of controversy provide a productive avenue to pursue the multiplicity of arguments created about the riot kiss photograph” (pg. 3). Most importantly, Hahner explains how the particular circulation of memes desires scholars to broaden the scope of frame analysis as it relates to the mode of visual argumentation.

           

The claims made by this article are able to show me the breaking down of an image when it becomes an internet meme and how it’s visualized in sparking a specific argument regarding whether the picture is valid or not. The image captured a couple on the street sharing their physical love with a kiss while on the ground during a riot. Many people, mainly photographic experts, made comments such as the photo being ‘fake’ and ‘photo shopped’. Other experts said that the photo indeed was genuine and that the attention it gained after being seen as a meme made the speculation of doubts among its credibility. Anderson H. mentions, “We live our narratives and our narratives become our living.” (216) to further incorporate this quote with the riot kiss photographic meme, a narrative is being expressed through the visuals. Not only does the couple compose the visual, but the surrounding police officers and mayhem make up the actual story of what’s actually happening. In relevance to my inquiry, the knowledge of knowing how memes truly become ‘memes’ and how in this case a frame analysis is able to break down a visual brings up a question in which I am hoping to answer. How does a frame analysis on an image influence the self-identity of that image, in this case a meme? 

Hahner, Leslie A. "The riot kiss: framing memes as visual argument." Argumentation and Advocacy, vol. 49, no. 3, 2013, p. 151+. General OneFile 

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Anderson, H. (1997). Self: Narrative, Identity, and Agency. Anderson's Conversations, Language and Possibilities. New York: Basic Books, 1997. 211-234. Print. PDF.