Question

What central idea is emphasized by both excerpts?
A
Taking selfies is only harmful when physical safety is at risk.
B
Social media campaigns are effective tools for female empowerment.
C
Obsession with self-image through selfies can lead to emotional and social harm.
D
Women should stop using social media altogether to improve mental health.
Rhetorical Analysis of “Turn that Camera Around:
Women & the Perils of Selfie Culture”

1 In her article, “Turn that Camera Around: Women & the Perils of Selfie Culture,” Bree Rolfe argues that taking selfies can have psychological consequences that ultimately injure a woman’s self-esteem. By referencing statistics and expert perspectives, as well as utilizing urgent diction, Rolfe warns women of the risks of a selfie obsessed culture.

2 Rolfe begins the argument by illustrating several examples of worst-case scenarios and statistics related to the most extreme examples of how selfie culture can be dangerous. She writes that “more people died in 2015 from selfies than from shark attacks” and that people have “perished in all manner of ways from being mauled by wild animals to falling off cliffs to countless traffic accidents.” She also includes statistics to reinforce the claim that selfies can lead to catastrophic consequences. This sets the stage for her thesis that selfies “do have harmful psychological effects that can be especially destructive for women.” Rolfe goes on to use expert testimony from clinical psychologist Lucie Hemmen whose ideas support Rolfe’s claim that women are vulnerable to the negative side effects of taking selfies and posting them on social media. Hemmen argues that “women, especially teen women, can lose touch with their true identity” and that women can even “lose the ability to accept themselves and embrace their flaws.” Rolfe further supports her argument by using research from a study conducted at York University. By quoting the findings, Rolfe logically argues that “most women who engage in posting and viewing selfies feel worse” and uses the study to emphasize this point. By employing logos, Rolfe adeptly convinces the reader of the drawbacks of posting self-portraits on social media.

3 In addition to using a logical appeal supported by research, Rolfe employs urgent diction to further emphasize how selfie obsession can be psychologically detrimental to women. In her thesis, she uses the word “destructive” to stress the negative effects selfies can have on women. She later clarifies the insincere nature of social media and selfies by using phrases like “manipulate” and “meticulously curate” to underscore how the versions of themselves women present through social media are often false and promote unattainable ideals of beauty for all women. She further highlights this point by saying that these images cause a “hyper focus” on “superficial beauty.” Finally, Rolfe creates an even more serious tone by using phrases like “irrecoverably hurt” and repeating words like “damage” and “harmful” to accentuate the toxic nature of selfie obsession and warn women against becoming too entangled in this aspect of social media. By threading compelling diction throughout her argument, she is able to persuade the reader.

4 Throughout the article, Rolfe articulates the consequences of viewing and posting selfies on social media. She urges her audience to “turn the camera around” and focus more on the world outside of themselves in hopes that doing so will allow women to rebuild their self-esteem and be more accepting of themselves and others.

Answer 1

C

The analysis repeatedly stresses psychological and social harm from selfie obsession—damage to self-esteem, loss of identity, feeling worse after posting—so the central idea is that preoccupation with self-image via selfies can cause emotional and social harm.