Assignment: Trend Analysis
Style: MLA
Points: 250
Goal: Investigate one significant social media trend as it relates to and shapes culture.
Premise: Social media isn’t just about how individuals represent themselves; it’s also about how information moves and changes in digital spaces. Trends can be difficult to define and to analyze because they cannot be summed up through any one digital expression. To analyze a trend you must select representative examples, identify patterns, and track change over time.
What is a trend??: A trend involves a few key elements: 1) popularity, 2) change over time, 3) cultural significance, and 4) patterns across multiple examples. Some recent examples include bitcoin scams, fast fashion, Instagram photo dumps, family channels, commitment posts, and apology videos. (Do memes = trends? Sometimes: when a meme evolves and shapes culture, it can be analyzed as part of a trend.)
Requirements:
Trend Analysis (150 pts.): Compose a 1500-word analysis of your trend.
Select a trend that can be examined thoroughly within the scope of the paper. I recommend that you define your trend precisely! E.g., teen depression = way too big; teen breakups on Tiktok = precisely defined.
Your analysis should examine your trend in detail by referring to specific examples.
Explain the significance of the examples carefully and thoroughly.
Include screenshots or images throughout your analysis to accompany your close readings.
You are encouraged to draw on the language we have used to define digital communication and digital communities (***Baym***).
Quantitative Analysis (25 pts.): As part of your analysis include at least one computational component in which you
measure or assess social media using some numerical approach (# of likes, # of followers, # of comments, etc.),
(optional) present the data in a visual form such as a chart or graph,
and analyze the data quantitatively and qualitatively, explaining how it represents a change in meaning over time.
Future (50 pts.): In a 300-word conclusion, draw on one futuristic/fictional source that demonstrates what the world might be like if (some part of) your trend were taken to an extreme.
In this section emphasize the “so what?” and “who cares?” of your trend.
You may use any of our “creative” course readings/listenings/viewings, as your source. Any alternate source must be identified in your proposal.
It is recommended that you analyze one clear passage (or scene in the case of visual media sources), rather than an entire novel/movie/etc.
Presentation (25 pts.): Record a 4-5 minute presentation that communicates your trend to the class in an engaging and memorable way.
You may use any media that you find helpful, including PPT or video.
End by asking one further question that your research raises.
Criteria for Evaluation:
Close Reading–The analysis draws on specific examples that prove your point. You don’t just state the obvious, but explain the “so what?” of the trend. Good analysis traces logical pathways between specific details and examples to larger social and cultural themes. Start with detailed observations and connect these with the big picture.
Trend Definition—You define your trend in a clear and accessible manner. You describe its origin, present state, and its potential future implications.
Future–you draw on a futuristic/fictional source to imagine an extreme that your trend could predict. You use this future scenario to emphasize the significance of your trend in the present.
Quantitative Analysis—The analysis reveals a compelling and non-obvious pattern in your data and present the data in a clear way. It includes interpretation: explain how this quantitative analysis supports the larger claims of your paper.
Presentation— You record a 5-minute presentation of your trend with the class as your audience. You select modes of communication suitable for the trend. You draw on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of your analysis.
ABOVE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS
BELOW IS MY PROPOSAL FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
Proposal (20 pts.): Compose a 300-word proposal that establishes the scope of your research.
Your proposal should cover the following:
1) Define your trend precisely. It’s much easier to start small and expand than the reverse. The case studies you included in your Platform Projects may be a good starting point for thinking about possibilities. (Refer to Trend Analysis assignment sheet for more details on what counts as a “trend.”)
2) Include one example of the trend that you might like to analyze. A screenshot of a post, profile, comment section, etc. will do. No need to analyze it yet.
3) Describe one broader cultural issue that your trend will help you investigate. As always, another way to think about this is the “so what?” How is your trend driving changes in society, economics, politics, the arts, the media, education, etc. And how are those cultural changes driving your trend?
Some things that you might include in your proposal or at least begin thinking about:
1. How you will analyze your trend quantitatively?
2. What kinds of evidence you mean to study. (Which platforms? Which time periods? Which influencers?)
Submission Content
Submission Content
1) My focus lies on the widespread adoption of vertical media platforms, particularly social media apps tailored for mobile devices. These platforms, like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, have become central to daily life for billions globally, reshaping content consumption, communication habits, and business strategies.
2) Instagram serves as a prime example, with its emphasis on vertical imagery and short videos revolutionizing content sharing, marketing, and audience engagement. Additionally, I’m interested in exploring the rise and fall of Vine, a platform known for short-form videos, to understand how it contrasts with today’s vertical media giants.
3) This trend underscores the profound impact of digitalization on society, reflecting shifts in cultural norms, communication styles, and consumer behavior. As people increasingly rely on smartphones for entertainment and social connection, vertical media platforms wield significant influence, shaping trends, public discourse, and even political movements. Understanding this interplay offers insights into the broader implications of digitalization on contemporary life.
1A) I plan to utilize various metrics available through analytics tools provided by social media platforms. This includes tracking metrics such as engagement rates, follower growth, content reach, and demographics. By collecting data over specific time periods, I can observe trends in user behavior, platform usage, and content preferences. Additionally, I aim to conduct surveys or polls to gather direct feedback from users regarding their interaction with vertical media platforms.
2A) I’ll review research on how vertical media influences human behavior and mental health, focusing on topics like social comparison, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. This will provide insights into the broader implications of excessive social media use on individuals’ well-being, Analyze both macro and micro-influencers across different niches for insights into content trends and engagement strategies, and Study data over several years to capture trends.
