Edwar Hernandez

Zack De Pierro

Writing 2

Due: Monday, January 12th

PB1A: Dissecting a Genre’s Rhetorical Features and Conventions

9gag was established as a mode of free expression on the internet with the use of popular internet memes, which include but are not limited to, Confession Bear, Awkward Seal and Good Guy Greg. The clever comments section on the meme website have a particular set of rhetorical features and conventions which make the it a genre of its own. The use of puns, movie references and retorts against feminism make the comment section a product of its community, the 9gaggers.

The comment section on 9gag is a place where the joy of memes and openness of a community can extend beyond the memes. Comments are characterized by a set of rhetorical devices which become prevalent among an audience looking to laugh and be entertained. The tone may vary from critical of others to kind, but it will always be based on humor. A prevailing rhetorical device that is used is the pun. The pun is simple in its undertaking, yet its use is for comedy. One such example is when a person responded to a picture of a sloth “That is why it is the sin of sloth,” (@Gergioff) by doing so the person has established himself as a humorous person and thus a member of the community. Allusions have established themselves among the comment section, as the “Am I the only one...” reference from The Big Lebowski film has become incredibly popular. Often 9gaggers will use the reference to show their disapproval with something they deem wrong, and those that agree will follow suit. While rhetorical devices have helped characterize 9gag, there are certain conventions that help define the 9gag community.

Comments are built on the conventions of the community, popular beliefs, common dislikes, and nationalities. 9gag is a website that is visited by people from around the globe, resulting in the creation of an international community. The prevailing convention held by the people on 9gag is their solidarity against feminism. Most comments can be described as sexist and sometimes bordering misogynistic. A female 9gagger will be awash with comments, ignoring her input, yet commenting on her looks, “Body so awkward makes me cringe”(@iheartbunnies) or describing the sexually explicit acts they would do. The constant lambasting against feminism on 9gag has become so grave that it has inspired blogs describing the site’s nature. 9gagged, on tumblr is one such example. While 9gaggers have shown unity against feminism, the site inspires empathy for tragedies around the globe. After the assassination of the artist in France, the 9gag community came together to criticize the actions of the murderers. Together, like many times before, the community prioritized themselves before their nationalities.

The community on 9gag abides by its own set of standards and methods, thus defining their own genre. Together they have created a community that carries their conventions and language. Their distrust of feminism and their unity against tragedy marks them. They are known as the “Forever Alone” community and together, but together they will never be alone.