Ashley R. Dainas

A CMDA Approach to Studying Graphicons

Introduction

A cmda approach to studying graphicons. Discover how graphicons (stickers, images, GIFs) function in online discourse. This article applies the CMDA framework to understand their discursive roles and importance in digital communication.

Abstract

Graphicons (Herring & Dainas, 2017) and their uses in interpersonal online discourse have attracted attention from varied disciplines, yet research on how graphicons function in digitally mediated discourse is in its infancy. Graphicons such as stickers, images, and GIFs, which have been understudied due to their larger size and greater complexity compared to emoticons and emoji, are especially understudied. This article applies the Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA) framework (Herring, 2004) to a review of literature that deals specifically with these understudied graphicons. The review illustrates a continuity between text-based computer-mediated discourse (CMD) and graphical CMD, demonstrating that graphicons can be studied at all four levels of CMDA and that graphicons share discursive functions across CMDA levels. Additionally, it highlights the importance of utilizing a variety of methodological approaches in a multitude of contexts to fully assess how graphicons function discursively. The article concludes by discussing the challenges and limitations of the approach taken and potential directions for future research.

Review

This article, "A CMDA Approach to Studying Graphicons," addresses a timely and increasingly relevant topic in the landscape of digital communication. Focusing on understudied graphical elements such as stickers, images, and GIFs – collectively termed 'graphicons' – the authors highlight a critical gap in existing research, which has largely overlooked these more complex forms in favor of simpler emoticons and emoji. The paper's stated aim is to advance the understanding of how graphicons function within interpersonal online discourse, particularly by applying the well-established Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA) framework. This foundational work is crucial given the nascent stage of research into these ubiquitous digital artifacts. Methodologically, the article undertakes a comprehensive review of literature, critically interpreting existing research through the structured lens of Herring's (2004) CMDA framework. This approach is particularly effective in demonstrating a crucial continuity between traditionally text-based computer-mediated discourse and its graphical counterparts, thereby bridging an analytical divide. A key contribution is the clear illustration that graphicons are amenable to analysis at all four levels of CMDA, and further, that they exhibit shared discursive functions across these analytical strata. This provides a robust conceptual framework for future empirical work, validating CMDA's utility in this evolving domain and offering a clear pathway for systematic investigation. Beyond its theoretical contributions, the paper effectively underscores the necessity of employing a diverse array of methodological approaches across a multitude of contexts to comprehensively grasp the discursive functions of graphicons. The authors commendably conclude by openly discussing the inherent challenges and limitations of their chosen approach, alongside outlining promising directions for future research. Overall, this article serves as a valuable foundational piece, not only consolidating existing fragmented knowledge but also providing a vital analytical roadmap for researchers interested in the complex and multifaceted role of graphical elements in contemporary digital communication. It is a significant step towards maturing the field of graphicon studies.

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