INTRODUCTION

The portfolio is focused on the theme “Social Media”. The researcher’s study is however

based on the negative impacts of social media on youths in community x. In accordance Social

media is described as the collection of online communication channels dedicated to a community

based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. The variety of stand- alone and built-

in social media services currently available introduces challenges of definition. The portfolio

incorporates an original piece, in the form of a narrative.

Based on the use of language registers for the purpose of this research the reflective piece that

is compiled is written in the form of a short story, and is directly linked to the theme. In the

reflective piece the researcher based the short story on one of the negative impacts of social

media among teenagers. Another component of the portfolio is the Exposition, assessing the

negative impacts of social media on youths between ages 13-20 years. The researcher discussed

the challenges faced while investigating the issue. An overview of the sources was also done

analyzing the effectiveness and reliability of the information.

Personally this topic interests me because of the use of social media has evolved in recent

years and its negative impacts have become prevalent in our society today. The researcher was

inspired to do this topic based on the experience of a close relative who became a victim of cyber

bullying. In addition, the researcher decided to examine the theme with the intentions of gaining

additional knowledge on Social Media and its impacts. The researcher is an aspiring social

worker, and the information gathered will be of great importance in the future. Academically,

this research is in partial fulfillment of the Internal Assessment for Communication Studies. The

researcher wishes that this portfolio will not only be informative but also purposeful.

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 PREFACE

A short story was chosen to portray this theme since readers seem to be more appreciative of

short stories. This genre allowed the opportunity to create the perfect setting.

The story is entitled “The Unseen Master” and it illustrates the fate of a teenager named

Samantha, who becomes a victim of an online danger, as a result of her sharing too much

personal information with someone she met one online. This resulted in her being cyber bullied

by numerous persons.

The intended audience is both males and females between ages 13-20 years. This targeted

audience is selected because adolescents are vulnerable to cyber bullying and often fall victims.

An appropriate place for this narrative piece would be in the youthlink or in a school

library/notice board. Also, in presenting this piece, the use of technological devices such as

multimedia screens and speakers to provide the graphics and audio for the message will be more

effective in getting the message across.

The researcher wrote this piece with the intension of creating awareness, with regards to the

increase in cyber bullying due to the high usage of social media sites.

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 “The Unseen Master”

“Samantha! Samantha! Mi nah call yuh fi get up fi guh get ready fi guh a school again. If mi cum

up deh u nah go like it enuh!” Sandra bellowed.

“Cho! Mi tiad enuh mi cyaa boda fi guh school today.” Samantha mumbled as she struggled out

of bed.

Samantha staggered down the stairs to the breakfast table. Apparently she had been up all night

on Facebook.

“Mornin Mummy.” She said plainly.

“Is how yuh look suh dis mornin? Mi keep tellin yuh fi guh a yuh damn bed early an cum offa

dis blasted facebook. Yuh not even a study yuh book all yuh have time fah is facebook!” said

Sandra.

“But jus wait yuh soon see wah dis facebook ago do to yuh” Sandra added.

Samantha was in her fourth year at St. Paul’s High School where she generally performed

exceptionally well amongst her peers. However, since her friend Amanda introduced her to

Facebook last summer, she became addicted and since then her grades have been fluctuating. She

was the only child for her mother Sandra who was always her breadwinner.

***

“Good evening mummy” Samantha said while rushing up the stairs to her room.

“Evening Samantha why yuh a rush suh?” Sandra asked.

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Samantha did not hear a word her mother said as she had already reached to her room sitting in

front the computer on Facebook texting her new found love- Jason. The two have been in contact

for over a month now, though they never met or spoke on the phone.

“Samantha yuh nah cum eat yuh dinna?” Sandra asked.

Samantha did not respond as she was too engrossed in the online conversation with Jason. She

realized they had so much in common and that her love for him was growing each day.

“Samantha yuh nuh hear mi calling yuh?” Sandra asked outside the room door.

“Samantha! Samantha!” Sandra bellowed while knocking the room door furiously.

“Yes mummy” Samantha answered in a quavering voice as she quickly dismissed the Facebook

page.

“Look how long mi a call yuh pickney! A wah yuh in there a duh? ”Sandra asked.

“M-m-mummy mi neva hear yuh. A m-m-mi Spanish project mi did a finish.” Samantha

answered.

“Oh alright mek sure yuh guh eat before it get too late.” Sandra encouraged.

***

Two days later, Justin suggested to Samantha that they take things to another level. He wanted to

meet with her as he thought they would get to know each other even better. Samantha endorsed

the idea; she planned to skip school tomorrow to meet with Justin at his home in Cornwall Court.

It was an hour drive away from where she lived. She was very familiar with the place since her

ex-best friend-Cassandra, resided there.

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Samantha made her way to Cornwall Court on a sunny Friday morning when she should have

been in classes. Butterflies filled her stomach; she was both nervous and excited. As soon as she

got out of the taxi she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Who could this be?” she mumbled to herself.

It could not be Justin because she had not reached to his house as yet. The name Cassandra came

to mind. She quickly glanced around, to her surprise there was not anyone behind her so she

continued her journey to Justin’s house.

“Oh wow! You look even better in person.” Justin said as Samantha walked through the gate.

Justin lived with his parents. They were both gone on a business trip for two days. Justin was a

student at St Catherine College; he too had skipped school so that he could spend the day with

Samantha.

“It is really good to finally meet face to face with you.” Justin added.

“I have always dreamed of this day and now it is finally here.” Samantha said smiling from ear to

ear as she walked into the house.

“Today will be a memorable one for us.” Justin said with a wink.

“I’m sure it will be.” Samantha added.

***

“Evening mummy” Sandra said as walked up to her room.

“Why yuh jus a reach home Samantha?” Sandra asked.

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“M-m-mummy m-m-mi did have dance practice afta school. Mi figet fi tell yuh dis

morning.”Samantha said in a timid voice.

“Oh suh how was it?” Sandra asked.

“It was alright enuh mum but now mi tiad.” Samantha responded.

“Alright daughtah gwan guh get some res.” Said Sandra.

When Samantha reached her room she quickly closed the door and then sat in front of the

computer. She logged into Facebook, the first thing that greeted her were some explicit pictures

of her. As she scrolled through her newsfeed she kept seeing the photo being shared by

numerous persons.

“Oh Lawd have mercy a wah dis?” Samantha mumbled to herself as tear drops ran down her

cheeks.

As Samantha scrolled through there were a significant number of mean comments mainly from

persons who attended her school. She wondered where these pictures come from. Then she had a

quick flash back of what happened today. She could not remember Justin taking any pictures of

her but even if he did, she was sure he promised he would keep them to himself.

Samantha began to write him a very distasteful message. But before she could finish she heard

her mother calling.

“Samantha! Samantha! Samantha! Come here to mi likkle gyal!” Sandra bellowed.

“Yes mummy” Samantha answered.

“A wah kinda picture dis mi a see inna mi email?” Sandra asked ignorantly.
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Samantha quickly glanced at the picture. It was the same picture of her that was being circulated.

“M-m-m-mummy…..” Samantha said as she broke down in tears.

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 THE ANALYSIS

In the story, “The Unseen Master,” the writer explores the harm that can occur when persons

meet strangers on social media networks if not cautious. The character Samantha experienced

cyber bullying from a friend she met online, who seemed to rather loving towards her. This

particular story illustrates Samantha’s happiness and excitement which turns into an unfortunate

situation. The writer employs a combination of registers, dialectal variation and communicative

behaviours and attitudes to language.

Language registers is a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular

social setting. It posses various levels of formality. The register used by each character helps to

effectively communicate certain characteristics about the individuals. The narrator uses formal

register which is deemed suitable, and also appeals to readers who may be of varying social

backgrounds.

The predominant register used in the reflective piece is the casual register. Samantha uses the

casual register in relating to her mother and it remains constant throughout the story, for

example, “It was alright enuh mum but now mi tiad.” The dialogue takes place in a casual

setting, and the register used is most suitable since they are well acquainted with each other.

Dialectal variation refers to changes in language due to various influences. These include social,

geographic, individual and group factors. The dialectal variation used by both parties vacillates

between mesolect (which is Sub-Standard English or a combination of Standard English and

Creole) and basilect (which is complete creole), therefore reflecting parts of the language

continuum. The two characters remain within those two categories and the variations remain

constant throughout the story. It highlights the casual relationship between Samantha and her
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mother Sandra. Samantha’s mother’s speech contained typical creole structures such as the

replacement of the “ou” with “uh” as seen in the example “Sammantha yuh nah cum eat yuh

dinna?”

The narrator also uses acrolect (which is purely Standard English) to accommodate her audience.

This is clearly portrayed when Samantha says “I have always dreamed of this day and now it is

finally here.” This is also evident in the introduction where the writer gives a synopsis of

Samantha’s life.

In conclusion, the language registers and dialectal variations are influenced by their attitudes to

language. Hence the writer effectively uses linguistic criteria to appeal to the reader.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 <https://nobullying.com/six-unforgetable-cyber-bullying-cases/>

 The Gleaner. 4 January 2014. February 7, 2015.

< http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140927/lead/lead3.html>

 <www.lifewire.com>

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