Identify and Describe Patterns in the Genre’s Features
1. What content is typically included or excluded? How is the content treated? What sorts of examples are used? What counts as evidence (personal testimony, facts, etc.)?
The content that is typically featured within this genre focuses on the experience of the child/family with that product. Generally, it is handled descriptively, opting for the physical aspects of the product featured and its relation to those using it. A blend of personal testimony and fact are utilized within this genre and the medium its displayed through.
2. What rhetorical appeals are used? What appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos appear?
Appeals to ethos is used in this genre. Seeing as though children apply a “need” approach to most toys that they express interest in, them watching these videos along with parents reinforces the emotional fulfillment that would be constructed through this genre. Some logic is applied to adults who watch this with the intent of purchasing a toy for their child, it generally appeals to the ethos of the viewer.
3. How are texts in the genres structured? What are their parts, and how are they organized?
The structure of the video initially starts with the host opening with the product featured in its full contents. Through a methodical, fulfilling unboxing of the actual object(s), the viewer than watches the host “experience” the item through its proposed use. It usually ends with a testimony to the product’s feature, whether that be its ability to cause a mess or noise, its inherent intellectual capabilities, or general use at satisfying those who are in focus.
4. In what format are texts of this genre presented? What layout or appearance is common? How long/big is a typical text in this genre?
Its primarily through videos that this genre will be experienced though. Whether it is an internal or external landscape, an unoccupied area is warranted, the setup for the being optimal. These showings range for 5-7 minutes on average with outliers of 10+ minutes depending on the extensiveness of the unboxing, assembly if applicable and its success with the host.
5. What types of “sentences” do texts in the genre typically use? How long are they? Are they simple or complex, passive or active? Are the sentences varied? Do they share a certain style?
Sentences used in this genre are direct and impactful. Videos are utilized to give information/messages, and these unboxings are no different. In order to keep the viewer engaged to watch the entire video, attraction is directly linked to visuals and audio. While complex sentences are sometimes necessary, simple and active sentences work best. Especially considering that some of the hosts are children, their diction and speech will vary from their parents, offering variance of style and delivery that may result in a certain linguistic trademark.
6. What diction is most common? What types of words (or symbols, images, etc.) are most frequent? Is a type of jargon used? Is slang used? How would you describe a typical writer’s tone?
The diction that is most common is expressive and evocative. With a focus on descriptors, the language then used is succinct and relatable. It’s more common to hear about “fun shapes” and “bright colors” versus “innovate designs” and “cerulean hues”. Children will be able to recognize the former better than the latter.
Analyze What These Patterns Reveal About the Situation and Scene
1. What do these patterns reveal about the genre, its situation, and the people who use it?
These patterns reveal a sociological aspect to kids toy unboxing videos in that there is more science applied than one would normally believe. It hinges on a certain structure and language to attract and capture an audience and sell a product knowingly or not.
What do participants have to know or believe to understand or appreciate the genre?
That you must be able to anticipate and cultivate a certain linguistic identity to become successful within the medium outside of this genre. Going for video or film by extension is to put a certain identity and a certain language forward and stay distinguishable.
Who is invited into the genre, and who is excluded??
The “kids’ toy” is an identifier, the unboxing can be done by any and what interests that host the most. It can be entered by anyone. It must be preceded by a structure that allows for identification, speculation and attraction through an identity that is not only linked to visual interest, but audio as well.
What roles for writers and readers does it encourage or discourage?
For writers, it encourages an ability to choose what linguistic features they wish to employ to engage the audience that is being sought after. For readers, you must be aware of what is being employed that piques your interests and how that aspect of absorbing media influences you. Make conscious decisions on what is being viewed, how it is affecting you and why that is.
2. What can you learn about the actions being performed through the genre by observing its language patterns?
This is a fun exercise because its video being played so a lot is being conveyed through language without having to “see” what’s happening. Pitches in tone involves shock, interest or disgust. Specifically, in the choice of words, you can tell or infer to the amount of investment that exists through certain stresses on words throughout the sentence.
How is the subject of the genre treated? What content is considered most important? What content (topics or details) is ignored?
The subject is treated with care due to the importance of the product that is in focus. Without much emphasis on the relationship between product and host, anything outside of that realm is superfluous.
What values, beliefs, goals, and assumptions are revealed through the genre’s patterns?
What’s revealed through the genre’s patterns is the assumption of the writer/content creator that their unboxing will garner an audience. While it does reveal a belief of meticulous application and reliable authority over the subject, there is a fine line of fact and fiction that permits these videos to continue.
What actions does the genre enable? What actions does the genre constrain??
The actions that this genre enables is the expression of opinions regarding what the general market perceives of society and its interests. Toys are subject to trends that persist. For the moment, it’s slime and miniature figurines. Two years from now, who is to say what will dominate the market. While these unboxing videos don’t allow for much departure from the system that employs tactics that warrant us to buy products, this genre opens the world to more public displays of necessity and reliability regarding the products that interest us.