Running Head: SEXT ME BACK?

Sext Me Back?

Silvia Villalobos

The University of Texas at El Paso

Running Head: SEXT ME BACK? 2

Sext Me Back?

Sexting, a combination of the words sex and text is a phenomenon in which individuals

send other individuals explicit conversations through the use of technology. Adolescence is

marked by establishing a sense of identity, values, and a sense of relationships with other

individuals. The increase in the use of technology has added social implications of sexting and

cyberbullying. The distribution of pictures in a sexual manner can lead to a conviction under

child pornography laws. The advocacy positions that have been taken with this issue have been

for sexting and against sexting. This issue is being addressed through two genres that provide a

different point of view for sexting; pro and against. Belskaya, N. S. research paper, Speech

Genre of Sexting in Forensic Linguistics Analysis Applicable to Sex Crimes Investigation, is a

paper that describes sexting as a speech genre and an instrument of criminal offence. It provides

results of the forensic linguistic analysis of the social network users' speech behavior for

describing the structure and abnormalities of sexting. “Stay Ready,” a song by Jhene Aiko,

describes how the couple that is meant to be together and try to restore their connection by

sexting.

Audience and Purpose

The first genre, Speech Genre of Sexting in Forensic Linguistics Analysis Applicable to

Sex Crimes Investigation, is a paper that discusses the relation between sexting with the analysis

of forensic linguistics for sexual crimes. The purpose of this paper is to describe sexting as a

speech genre and an instrument of criminal offence known as online grooming. Throughout the

paper the author synthesizes the methodical results of the forensic linguistic analysis of the user’s

behavior for describing the way sexting is gone about and the speech act of persuading someone

to unwanted sexual activity through domination manipulation (Belskaya, 2015). Jhene Aiko,
Running Head: SEXT ME BACK? 3

featuring Kendrick Lamar have created a song intended to provide a positive end towards sexting

since it is a couple who is trying to maintain together.

The scope of audience is different for both genres, one deals with providing the audience

with facts whereas the other provides emotion. The article deals with logos and ethos, whereas,

the song deals with pathos. The article describes how sexting is an instrument of criminal

offence. The intended audience and discourse communities dealing with this genre are the

parents, and the law. The audience wants to protect and stop those from sexting because of the

bad outcomes that come along with sexting. They want to know why one does it, ways they

could stop it, and further effects on how it could affect both individuals.

The audience for the song, however, is intended for a younger audience, or the

individuals who are involved with sexting or have sexted before. This is because, sexting is most

common amongst teenagers than any other age range. The audience knows what they feel when

they sext and the reason why they do it. The song, however, introduces that feeling by describing

that not being together leads them to sexting one another. It provides an emotional connection to

other individuals and it is a way of establishing their own identity through these connections.

Rhetorical Issues

Both genres exhibit rhetorical appeals, the manner in which these are implemented and

enforced differ in accordance with the genre. The article by Belskaya deals with logos and ethos,

whereas the song deals with pathos.

The paper, Speech Genre of Sexting in Forensic Linguistics Analysis Applicable to Sex

Crimes Investigation, deals with logos and ethos. Its focus is on logos because it uses such

techniques as giving definitions, statistics and informing the reader on crimes and forensic

linguistic analysis. It intends to persuade the audience through the use of logic and reason by
Running Head: SEXT ME BACK? 4

providing this information relating to the cause and use of sexting. It also presents itself with

ethos because it shows an appeal to ethics by convincing the audience of their credibility and

character. The paper shows they are credible by the information that they provide and show ethos

by providing the reader with statistics of the sexual crimes that have occurred through the act of

sexting. This, therefore, puts in place the reader’s character because they decide whether they

think it is bad or not by providing the effects it has had on children and how they have been

harmed as well.

The song by Jhene Aiko, featuring Kendrick Lamar, however, provides the reader with

the appeal of pathos. Pathos is used in this song because it is using the love story of a couple. It

is describing how a couple who is together likes giving one another pleasure and needs to be

together. However, when they are not together they look back to old messages of when they were

together and it was okay and they end up sexting. The technique used to connect with the

audience is the lyrics, the music, and even the singers. Those who support the singers will be

more attracted to listen to the song and find truth in it.

The ethos regarding to this song involves that with the singers. Jhene Aiko is an

American singer and songwriter. Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper and songwriter. Both

these artists are widely known amongst teenagers and in the rap and R&B industry. Therefore,

their songs have a strong impact on the intended audience because of how famous they are.

Structure and Delivery

The paper, Speech Genre of Sexting in Forensic Linguistics Analysis Applicable to Sex

Crimes Investigation, began the paper by providing the information of what sexting was, how it

was affecting today’s society, and the statistics of sex crimes that have been committed along

with the forensic linguistic analysis that is provided with it. However, the song is organized with
Running Head: SEXT ME BACK? 5

a verse 1 (with Jhene), hook 1 (with Jhene), Verse 2 (Kendrick Lamar), a bridge with Jhene and

another with both Jhene and Kendrick, verse 3, hook 2, verse 4, and with an outro. The way the

song is presented with its music gives a different emotional appeal, which in this case might be

sexual causing the listener to think it is not bad since they are expressing how they feel by

sexting and it builds a stronger relationship between them. The way each genre is presented

affects the information that is provided because both their purposes differ and it delivers it in a

more efficient manner that will keep the reader engaged in the topic.

Conclusion

Both genres describe the overall topic on sexting in an effective matter because the point

of view and purpose is put across to the reader or listener. Each genre presented a different point

of view, pro and against, through the use of different techniques such as emotional appeal,

logical appeal, etc. Sexting can be seen as something bad because of the effects it has in the long

term, however, those who take part in sexting might not see it, therefore, it is a matter of how

one decides to take it.

References

 Aiko, J. (2014). Stay Ready. [Recorded by J, Aiko featuring Kendrick Lamar]. Sail Out.

 Belskaya, N. (2013). Forensic Investigation of Sex Crimes and Sexual Offenders. I(2),

170-176. Doi:10.4324/9781315721613