Ethos/Authority:
- Mentions credible sources, for example, Loughborough University, Common Sense Media studies, clinical therapist Meghan O’Flynn, US Department of Health & Human Services
- Uses quotes + citations
- Talks about her own experience with mental illness
Pathos/Emotion:
- She used emotion to make the audience care about her point by talking from her personal struggle with depression and suicide
- This article was on a serious topic so it automatically catches the attention/ emotion. She used studies that showed that gen z is being most affected and that something needs to be done
- Only used recent studies/ reputable sources that backed up her argument, she used the examples in an honest way to back up what she argues with facts
- Inserted memes to add a visual aspect/ real examples that got a lot of online attention
- Used quotes to show how serious the subject was
Logos/Reason:
- Used credible quotes to show how the memes can harm people, example: “Direct and indirect exposure to suicidal behavior has been shown to precede an increase in suicidal behavior in persons at risk for suicide, especially in adolescents and young adults” (US Department of Health & Human Services)
- Backs up what she says with studies, credible people
- Added real memes/ tweets to back up what she was saying
- Gave an example of the origin of internet memes about mental illness
Kairos/Occasion:
- This topic is a current issue/ gave examples and evidence on how it is affecting teenagers/ young adults
- Used relevant social media apps that the audience could relate to
- With the increase of technology/ social media, this issue can only get more relevant
Structure:
- Organized the essay in a clear and concise way, had evidence to back up her argument(not just her thoughts on it)
- Each paragraph flowed with the one before, gave evidence and explained the quotes she put in
- Introduction paragraph gave a personal aspect to the argument making it more personal and relatable
Persona:
- The author gives a personal aspect to the argument, this shows that the argument she is giving is relevant to teenagers and young adults
Tone /Diction:
- Serious tone
- Used words that trigger serious, emotional responses
- Didn’t try to make light of the situation, kept the serious tone throughout the entire essay
Audience:
- teenagers/ young adults
- Generation z
- The author reaches them by using relevant social media and things that her audience can relate to
- The author wants to bring light to the serious effects that the dark memes have on vulnerable people
- Identify the thesis and its location. Why is it there? The thesis is at the end of the first paragraph, “The root of this unrecognized internal turmoil was an acclimation to suicidal tendencies, one of the core values in today’s memes. That’s right: internet memes played a role in my depressive spiral.”
- Who are they citing as evidence? American Psychological Association, Loughborough University, Common Sense Media, social media applications, American Behavioral Scientist, NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, and other credible sources
E110 FA19 Class Blog 