Not

Everything
It Seems
Article by Arnetta Carter

What’s the reality behind Instagrammers NOTICE & NOTE

As you read, use the side
and the instafamous?
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margins to make notes

about the text.

1
T hey are glossy and glamorous. They cover a range of topics.
In our everyday world, they set the tone for what’s cool and
what’s not. They drive expensive cars, take incredible trips, and
DETERMINE AUTHOR’S
PURPOSE

Annotate: In paragraph 1, mark

the sentence that helps you
always have the newest things. Most importantly, they affect
understand the author’s purpose
what others think, watch, and buy. They are killing it. But when for writing the article.
you pull back the curtain on social media influencers, are they
Predict: What, specifically, do
as real as they seem? you think the author wants the
reader to understand?

Not Everything It Seems 23

 CITE EVIDENCE
#Worldofinfluencers
Annotate: In paragraph 3,
mark the words and phrases that 2 Think about where you spend most of your time online—
describe different types of social YouTube, Instagram, or Twitch. These social media platforms
media influencers. dominate daily online culture. Your generation—whom adults
Draw Conclusions: Based on the have labeled “Gen Z”—has grown up in the glow of these
evidence, what can you conclude screens. It’s an exciting world, with famous people appearing to
about social media influencers
live their best lives while offering advice on how you can too.
so far?
3 Some influencers are who your parents might recognize
as celebrities. Think music and reality-TV stars. But you are
probably also familiar with teens and tweens who have become
“Insta-famous” as online “tastemakers.” These influencers are
somewhat invisible to adults. Known as “micro-influencers,”
these stars post, blog, and vlog, concentrating on specific areas
of interest. They generate thousands of followers (or subscribers)
rather than millions but they are still a powerful force.
4 These low-profile1 micro-influencers have a unique
power—they seem authentic. Followers find everyday people
VOCABULARY to be more genuine and relatable. And with 98% of Gen Z-ers
Reference Resources: A on smartphones, engagement with influencers can seem more
dictionary or glossary is a handy personal. They can communicate directly with their followers
resource for finding the definition
online and through special in-person events. This helps them
of a word. Look up the word
phenomenon in an available win devotion, build networks, and set trends.
resource and read its definitions. 5 There’s a lot to admire about influencers, especially those
Identify: Write the definition who promote good ideas. They raise awareness about such
that best fits how the writer uses issues as the environment (think Greta Thunberg) and LGBTQ
phenomenon in paragraph 5. (think Lilly Singh), and they motivate others to achieve (think
Tim Karsliyev). They have triggered major shifts in how we
communicate and in what we value. In a short span of time,
influencers have become a worldwide phenomenon.

Blurred Lines
6 Popular influencers make lots of money from their connections
collaborate with followers. They collaborate with advertisers to promote
(k∂-l√b´∂-r∑t´) n. If you work selected brands. For example, Twitch streamers get paid by
together with others, you
video game companies to stream their games, because they
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

collaborate with them.

want you to buy them! What began as a way of turning a skill,
hobby, or passion into a career has become a billion-dollar
industry. And although fans may be aware of this, the lines
between reality and advertising tend to blur. On the surface,

1
low-profile: carrying out activities in a way that does not attract attention.

24 UNIT 1 ANALYZE & APPLY

 the influencer is informing and even inspiring you. Beneath Don’t forget to
Notice & Note as you
the surface, the aim of an influencer is to create a need for
read the text.
a product by blending seemingly real-life situations with
product placement, the inclusion of brand-name items. Think
of a makeup vlogger who demonstrates easier ways to apply
eyeliner. The presentation may look relaxed and friendly, but
the intent to sell you the eyeliner is very real.

Still Killing It?

7 The world of influencers is complicated even for influencers.
Their images and videos appear effortless, so followers don’t
recognize the labor-intensive work behind the scenes. There’s relevant
constant pressure to stay fresh, engaging, and relevant. There (rel´∂-v∂nt) adj. If something
is meaningful or purposeful in
are the burdens of maintaining perfect images and coping with
current society or culture, it is
nasty messages from not-so-perfect trolls. Fearful of giving up considered relevant.
control, many influencers avoid taking breaks from their work.
But it may all become too much. Burnout and disappointment
have derailed many top influencers and resulted in many public
meltdowns and abrupt time-outs. Former blogger Tavi
Gevinson has confessed: “I wanted to reap fame’s benefits NOTICE & NOTE

without feeling like my life would become a video game of QUOTED WORDS
winning people over and seeking attention.” Another former When you notice the author
has quoted the conclusions of
influencer stated in her parting message: “I found myself someone who was a participant in
drowning in the illusion. . . . Social media isn’t real. It’s purely an event, you’ve found a Quoted
contrived images and edited clips ranked against each other. It’s Words signpost.
a system based on social approval, likes and dislikes, validation Notice & Note: Mark the
in views, success in followers . . . it’s perfectly orchestrated quotations in paragraph 7.
judgment. And it consumed me.” Being a social media Analyze: Why was this person
influencer is often harder than it looks, and often not all it quoted or cited and what did
seems to be. this add?

Navigating the Influencer World

8 Some now believe the influencer world is fading. They see
weary audiences who are tired of all the perfect images. Still,
others see this world as only evolving. Overall, it takes a degree
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

of critical thinking and natural skepticism to navigate this skepticism

complex world. It’s not necessary to shun influencers; simply try (skep´t∆-s∆z´∂m) n. Skepticism is a
doubting or questioning attitude.
to strike a balance in your choices. For a healthier experience
with influence culture, develop strategies like the following:

Not Everything It Seems 25

 DETERMINE AUTHOR’S • Think outside the frame. When viewing a vlog or even
PURPOSE just a photograph of a blog, try to imagine what’s going
Annotate: On this page, on beyond the shots. Not everything may be as perfect or
mark the strategies the author as real as what you see. Feel free to question what’s going
recommends for viewing social
media.
on behind the perfect scenes. Focus on influencers who
are honest and direct about their intentions.
Critique: What is the author’s
purpose for including these • You don’t have to buy in. It’s not necessary to accept
strategies in the article? influencer messages fully. Being highly entertained or
energized by what you see doesn’t mean you be absolutely
loyal. That said, it’s definitely okay to resist.
• Know your worth. Yours may be the most advertised-to
age group ever. Be aware of how certain influencers want
to affect your buying behavior.
• Avoid comparisons. Don’t measure yourself against the
seemingly perfect images. They are deliberately designed
to appear that way. Know that you don’t have to live up to
anyone’s standards.
9 In the end, be aware of the reality behind the glamour.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What can blur the lines TURN AND TALK
between what’s real With a partner, talk about how social media influencers have
and what’s not? affected you. Will you apply the strategies that the author
recommends? Why or why not?
Review your notes and
add your thoughts to your
Response Log.

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26 UNIT 1 ANALYZE & APPLY