My Research Question
How are celebrities shaping the youth vote in the 2024 presidential campaign? Do celebrities have an obligation to speak out about politics since they have such large platforms?
This is a TikTok-style video essay.
I. The Intro
Title: How Are Celebrities Shaping The Way We Vote?
Visuals
- I’ll start with a clip of a celebrity endorsing a presidential candidate in front of a massive crowd.
- Hook: Start with a voice-over asking: “Have you ever voted because a celebrity told you to? Or do their endorsements even matter?”
Background music:
- upbeat, attention-grabbing instrumental track.
Intro paragraph:
“Welcome to my TikTok mini-series on celebrity influence in elections. My name is Derek Contreras, and today we’re diving into how big names use their platforms to sway young voters. Is it impactful, or just another trend? Let’s break it down together. This project is based on research I’ve done for my English class, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you!”
II. The Middle Part
1. Background Information:
• Definition of celebrity endorsements and how they became a political tool.
• Use a stat: “In 2020, Taylor Swift’s voting posts increased voter registration by 65% overnight.”
2. Rhetorical Appeals:
• Ethos: Celebrities like LeBron James advocating for voting rights credibility due to their activism.
• Logos: Facts about the measurable impact of celebrity endorsements on voter turnout, especially in Gen Z.
3. Counter Arguments:
• Critics argue celebrity endorsements don’t translate into action—show an opinion snippet from B.D. McClay’s article.
• Example: “Many young voters may feel their choices shouldn’t be influenced by fame.”
4. Interviews/Expert Commentary:
• Include a short clip (fictionalized for TikTok) of a “young voter” explaining how a celebrity influenced their decision.
• Pull a key quote from Ashley Spillane’s piece about the responsibility of public figures.
5. Visuals and Audio:
• Quick-cut visuals of voting booths, political rallies, and Instagram polls.
• Overlaid with voice-overs explaining research findings and notable quotes.
6. Personal Connection:
• Share a short story about how I first noticed celebrities talking about politics and whether it changed my perspective.
III. The Outro
Outro paragraph:
“So, do celebrities really shape how we vote? The research says yes—sometimes. But ultimately, it’s about educating ourselves and making informed decisions. Let’s use our platforms, big or small, to encourage meaningful change. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like, share, and make your voice heard in the next election. See you next time!”
• Closing visuals: A montage of people voting, ending with the words “Your Vote Matters” on-screen.
Sounds:
• Upbeat outro music fades into soft piano, signaling closure.
Programs and Tools
• Canva: For creating engaging visuals and slides.
• CapCut: For editing the TikTok video and adding transitions.
• Voice Recorder: To record clear, polished voice-overs.
• Royalty-free music: For background tracks that match the tone.
Most particularly, I love how your outline goes through the structure in clear light, visually and audibly engagingly, actually home-hitting a bunch of key points. I believe in inculcating real-life examples or statistical data, such as how Taylor Swift’s tweet resulted in a huge turnaround in voter registration for greater credibility and relevance for the argument. You could probably go over the part discussing counterarguments to perhaps have more balance by discarding other critiques or even limits to celebrity influence. Also, make sure you have a general idea of how the visuals and audio fit each section to make your TikTok essay go through seamlessly and be more powerful.
Will you say something about the outcome of celebrity endorsements on Election 2024? All those endorsements for Kamala and it didn’t give her the win.