Capturing and Analyzing Social Media Composite Content: The Instagram Selfie

Purpose This research was conducted to outline the capturing and analysis of composite texts. We contextualize this using selfies as image and textual data sourced from Instagram and analyzed using a three stage analysis approach from a genre perspective. Methodology/approach The capturing of composite texts is outlined for numerous services available to researchers to study social media contexts. The analysis applies a three-stage technique of (1) what is shown, (2) what is said, and (3) what is the central narrative to overcome interpretive limitations of privileging text over image or vice versa. Findings Based on their structural characteristics, seven genre types emerged from the coded sample set. Research limitations/implications Issues arise in capturing this data as social media platforms change their access and usage policies and as capturing services alter their capabilities. Originality/value The paper outlines a novel approach to capturing and understanding the mimesis and diegesis of selfies as composite texts.