Teenagers say goodbye to Facebook and hello to

messenger appsHigher Close Reading Homework

So…Looks like Facebook is Dying

• First up, how many of you don’t use Facebook as much as you used to?

• What are you using instead?

• Benefits? Drawbacks?

• If you still use Facebook, what do you mostly use it for?

Does This Image Surprise You?

Who Wins and Loses with WhatsApp?

Question 1

• Why is it worth noting that teenagers are starting to leave Facebook? 1U

• They frequently lead the way when it comes to trends and fads.

Question 2

• In what ways has Facebook become “a victim of its own success”?2U

• Now everybody uses it so it isn’t unique to teenagers anymore.

• It means teens can’t use it for whatever they like as family members will see it

Question 3

• What threat do Messaging Apps pose to Network Providers? 1U

• They are cutting down on text message usage and losing them money

Question 4

• What does the writer’s use of word choice tell you about the general opinion of Twitter?2A

• “social media darling”• “darling” suggests it is something people are

very fond of and see as something sweet or cute

• Everybody really liked Twitter and saw it as a harmless and likeable form of social networking

Question 5

• How does the writer use language in paragraph 5 to highlight how important WhatsApp has become?

4A/E

• Makes the big statement of “the most popular messaging app” in opening sentence of paragraph

• Use of statistics to support his claims – “350 million monthy active users”/”About 90% of the population of Brazil”…etc

• Compares it to other social networks which it is outperforming – “even more users than…Twitter”

Question 6

• “Part of the reason is that gradual encroachment of the grey-haired ones on Facebook. Another is what messaging apps have to offer: private chatting with people you are friends with in real life.” How does the writer use this extract to act as a link between paragraphs 5 and 6? 2U

• “encroachment of the grey-haired ones” – links back to previous paragraph that claimed that most of the people now using new forms of social media are under 25.

• “private chatting” – links forward as it then explains how WhatsApp can be used to talk only with people you know as opposed to strangers on the internet.

Question 7

• What does the use of the phrase “passively stalking” imply about Facebook and what it can be used for?

2A/E

• “stalking” suggests something threatening and predetory

• However, “passive” suggests that it will not necessarily lead to anything or that the person will not act on it

• This suggests that Facebook allows people to monitor others without serious consequences although it generally implies that people can use the site for more sinister means than just talking to friends.

Question 8

• Summarise the main reasons for the recent increase in photo-messaging. 3U

• Increased popularlity of taking photographs of your own face

• It doesn’t carry as many negative consequences as everyone being able to see it on Facebook

• It also allows for more intimate images to be sent without everyone seeing or them being passed around

Question 9

• How does the writer try to convince the reader not to just “write off stickers are inane”? (paragraph 8)3E

• Use of statistics – “30%, or roughly $17m, from sales of its 8,000 different stickers” – highlights not only how popular they are (proven by the amount of profit they generate) but also how their availability is increasing (8,000 different ones available)

• Quote and opinions from people involved – “one LINE executive said…” to support their use of these stickers.

Question 10

• How does the writer use language in paragraph 9 to show that WhatsApp creators have made the right decision when it comes to keeping their service simple? 4A

• “should not be saddled with extra features” – “saddled” suggests that these extra features are an additional or unnecessary burden that could hold it back.

• “pure communication utility” – “pure” suggests clean and concentrated on one purpose. It also suggests that others are diluted or unclean versions of this product

Question 11

• What effect does the word “flirted” have in paragraph 10? 2A

• “flirted” suggests that WhatsApp and Google could possibly be on the verge of a close relationship. However, it also suggests that nothing is definite and that these companies are only trying out the possibility of a merge.

Question 12

• How effective do you find the opening line of paragraph 11? 2E

• Over-dramatic, use of hyperbole• They are comparing the apps and

networks as if they are people in a battle to the death.

• Use of rhyme “dies, survives, thrives” gives this line extra impact

Question 13

• How effective do you find the final line of paragraph 13 as a conclusion to the passage as a whole? 2E

• The passage opened by discussing the problems Facebook is facing – “Facebook made a startling admission…” – and now it is finishing by reflecting on the fact that Facebook may not be able to keep up with all of the changes discussed in the rest of the passage.