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Article published In: Internet Pragmatics
Vol. 6:1 (2023) ► pp.42–66

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YouTube

Audience emotional reactions and convergent alignment

 | University of Turku
Published online: 11 July 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ip.00085.pel
Abstract
This case study discusses audiences’ emotional reactions and convergent alignment in YouTube comment threads observed on four videos of Spanish YouTubers with affective narratives on sensitive topics. The analysis reveals that most single-comment threads are generally positive and that utterances are fairly equally divided in their focus on YouTubers or narratives. The act of taking a stance follow consists of a versatile process in which the convergent alignment or agreement with the YouTubers’ stance lead occurs not just by positively evaluating YouTubers or the story, but also by revealing something highly private concerning the stance topic. The four affective narratives evoke not only compliments, but also the convergent alignment the YouTubers presumably seek with their stories.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Commenting behavior and stance-taking on YouTube
    • 2.1Audience participation by posting comments
    • 2.2Stance-taking on YouTube
  • 3.Data and methodology
  • 4.Findings
    • 4.1Commenting on affective narratives
    • 4.2Compliment, support, and gratitude toward YouTubers
    • 4.3Agreement and personal experience related to stance lead
  • 5.Discussion and conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
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