Week 9

Hi again. This week was all about cross-referencing what kinds of rhetoric are actually getting the most views and interaction. I compared follower counts, like/comment ratios, and stitch frequency across 100+ TikToks, then layered in whether the videos leaned on humor, fear, religion, or scientific misrepresentation. Some of the most viral ones combined multiple strategies—like using fear-based language and humor and religious framing in under a minute.

I also started tagging which creators seem to be monetizing their content (via link-in-bio offers, sponsored products, or merch drops). This helped separate amateur believers from influencers with clear business models. Spoiler alert: the ones monetizing were more likely to use emotionally charged content, suggest hidden truths, and prompt action (“Wake up before it’s too late!”).

Looking ahead, I want to finish linking these monetized creators back to their most common rhetorical choices. The goal is to sketch out how misinformation becomes profitable—and how it’s shaped intentionally for that reason. I also was able to connect most of the same strategies that the TikTok creators use to the ones that came up in my internship, so I will add that to my presentation.