In this paper, two female-led Instagram accounts within the Body Positivity movement
were analyzed to see what type of linguistic strategies are employed in order to build
solidarity with their followers, as well as establish and maintain a shared group identity.
The analysis was carried out by utilizing Appraisal Theory as taxonomized by Martin
and White (2005) and aspects of Politeness Theory, as taxonomized by Brown and
Levinson (1987). The paper found that the two Instagram users linguistically employed
several aspects of both theories in order to build and maintain a group identity within a
common-identity community. In terms of Politeness Theory the positive politeness
strategies were more common than the negative politeness strategies, specifically were
the positive politeness strategies employed to build common ground and the strategy of
presupposition manipulations the most prevalent. Within the Appraisal theoretical
framework, the most common strategies by the Instagram users were the disclaim:deny
and the proclaim:pronounce strategies.