Instagram https://www.instagram.com/Links to an external site.
Close Reading/Textual Analysis Paper of 4-5 substantive paragraphs that incorporates an academic reference that is not in the syllabus (a substantive paragraph is between 10 and 23 lines when in a Microsoft Word document). If it makes more sense, you can employ a larger number of shorter paragraphs.
Please include your argument sentence, which can be different than and should be revised from the version in your letter, before the start of your paper and preface it with the term “thesis.” The same argument should appear in your paper. You should also note the keyword that is organizing your paper (for instance something like the following: community, freedom, personalization, misogyny, racism). This assignment will receive a letter grade and comment. 
Your focused argument, which is articulated in the paper and identified before the post, should identify how the site codes a group of individuals (for example: women are rendered as wedding forum users, men are depicted as technologically proficient, etc.) or technology (for example: eBay is marketed as a community, the iPad is promoted as revolutionary, etc.). Try to limit your study by focusing on your research question and only analyzing the parts of the site that engage with your topic and keyword and support your thesis. Use textual analysis to explain how the site conveys this cultural belief or idea about technology. Your analysis might thus focus on how the “about” part of the site depicts a particular kind of individual; the banner and initial texts articulate the site’s expected user; repetitive word choices underscore the site’s ethos; a concept (such as empowerment or artistry) is represented; or commenters repeat and support an idea proposed by the site.
Your paper should incorporate at least one academic text that is not in the syllabus. You can but do not have to use the articles on close reading/textual analysis, including the Culler, Hayles, Menon, and Wakeford, as methods of performing this analysis.
Your post should employ correct endnote citations methods. Please consult the Chicago Manual of Style available in the library and the Style Sheet included under Files for more assistance.
The thesis and ONE keyword must be clearly stated at the beginning of your post and identified as “thesis:” and keyword:” This thesis and keyword should also appear as part of your analysis.
Here is the letter so you can use it.
Thesis: Social media campaigns promoting body positivity are instrumental in challenging conventional beauty standards and fostering self-acceptance, especially among young women.
Dear Instagram,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the ironic nature of social media campaigns promoting body positivity. [1]Despite claims that these campaigns challenge conventional beauty standards and encourage self-acceptance, especially among young women. A careful consideration of the content shared under hashtags like #BodyPositivity on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shows a harmful trend towards a mixture of business and aesthetics. This endangers and undermines all the efforts of the movement.
#BodyPositivity movement results from confronting the harmful influence of unachievable beauty standards pushed by commercial media and society. In addition, it has gained a significant influence on social media. The existing role of social media platforms such as Instagram is associated with becoming a struggle where people fight for the acceptance of different body types, showing love for themselves and diversity. [2]But a close look at the information spread in that name results in a worrying phenomenon. The caption #bodypositivity” is surrounded by numerous posts that maintain the same social beauty standards, such as a slender body, good skin tone, and other traits associated with being good-looking in society. The hypocrisy involving the claim of inclusivity and the actual material is seen to rise. Despite this, there is a sanitized version of body positivity that is in line with the societal standard of beauty.
Moreover, branding the body positivity movement by influencers and brands is yet another challenge. However, some social media campaigns often become a tool of advertising when the aim is not to promote body positivity but to market products instead. The commercialization of social causes not only takes away from the genuineness of the movement but also risks turning a potentially life-changing social cause into a trendy buzzword without the impact it should have on society. For example, ‘inclusive’ fashion lines of major brands’ marketing tactics usually involve models who might be slightly more different than typical fashion models but still have a limited range of body types.[3] This so-called ideal of beauty works more as an incorrect representation as the huge number of diversity in human bodies gets marginalized. Thus, the audience might get confused with the message conveyed. Rather than confronting beauty stereotypes, it cunningly pressures the audience to craft their deviations from this norm into an acceptable fantasy.
Considering these observations, I urge social media platforms, influencers, and brands to reconsider their approach to promoting body positivity. Genuine change requires more than superficial acknowledgments of diversity; it demands a radical acceptance of all bodies, without exception. Social media campaigns should amplify the voices of those traditionally marginalized by beauty standards, including individuals of diverse sizes, shapes, ethnicities, and abilities, without co-opting their experiences for commercial gain.
Sincerely,