Hello, how are you? I’m currently doing research on the openings and closings of Malaysian video blogs (vlogs). I would appreciate it if you could participate in the survey.
Your identity will remain anonymous and your responses will only be used for research purposes. Your help is very much appreciated.
1. Please respond to the following statement.
“Opening sequences (e.g. hi, hello guys, hi everyone) and closing sequences (e.g. okay bye, thanks for watching) play an important role in vlogs.”
Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree 5 4 3 2 1
2. Please explain the reason for your response.
Thank you for your time.
APPENDIX C
The Viewers’ Responses to the Interview Questions in the Pilot Study
P1
strongly agree… with all these sequences, the video will sound friendlier and might gain interest for viewer to continue watchin\
P2 1. Agree
2. Cause is like gesture, greeting people that is what we do everyday. An opening and ending sent people know when is starting and end
P3 agree
in my opinion, this kind of opening and closing sequences can make the viewers feel that they are somehow communicating to them, as it’s always a good thing for the viewer to feel good, especially vblog, which reinforce them to continue watch the vblog.
P4
I agree. I find those vlogs with d opening and closing sequences r more polite/friendly user? They somehow catch my attention to the links, I would feel like the videos r recommended/worth to watch.
P5
Strongly agree. I feel that vlogs with openings and closings are better thought-out. They makes vlogs more efficient as there is a systematic structure. To me, those without openings and closings seem messier and disorderly.
APPENDIX D
The Viewers’ Responses to the Interview Questions
P1
My answer to your first ‘Q’: Agree
My answer to your second ‘O’: Vlogs with opening and closing sequences appear to be more organized. This reflects the level of ethics and professionalism of the owner.
P2
Agree, because….. what’s a ‘vlog’ without a proper greeting? I admit that it can be annoying sometimes to hear the same greeting everytime, but once you get use to it, it shouldn’t be a problem.
To me, having an opening and a closing will make you feel welcomed, makes you feel as though that person is talking to you, greeting you in a well-mannered way. Put it simply, a ‘vlog’ won’t be a ‘vlog’ without the opening and closing. Just imagine:
Someone comes up to you for the 1st time and goes straight to the topic.
P3
Hi, I’m fine here . I would be glad to help you in this survey.
1. Strongly agree.
2. The opening and closing sequences play an important role as an application of good manners. In a vlog, the person addressing the audience with opening and closing sequences would sound polite and draws the attention of his/her audience. It indicates that the person respects the audience before presenting his views or ideas in the vlog.
P4
Hi there. I’m fine.
Well for no.1, I chose strongly agree.
2. The reason I chose that was because, I think it would sound more appropriate and polite to their viewers if vlogs started out their opening sequence with greeting and ended
with one as well. This will attract more viewers to go back to the vlogs and watch videos in the future as people always prefer to stay in touch with polite and friendly people.
P5
Agree. By acknowledging the vlog viewers, they will feel engaged in a conversation with the vlogger. This will encourage more interaction between the vlogger and its audience while also cultivating a loyal viewership.
P6
1. Strongly agree.
2. In my opinion, openings and closing sequences r important to help the vlogger to establish rapport with the audience. It brings them together. I would personally feel that the vlogger is addressing me directly if he/she uses these greetings/closings.
P7
agree, give me a good impression and I will feel the guy is polite. if without the closing, I may feel blur whether it is the end or still got another part.
P8
Agree, it is a basic manner to greet others…
mm…if without all those opening and closing sequences, its like too sudden to start or end a statement…(my opinion la > <)
P9
Agree. With the availability of the extensive internet access, people are communicating lesser in person. Greetings in videos would give viewers a sense of communication. This somehow fills the pea-sized gap in our lives.
P10 1. 4
2. is good to have opening and closing as a respect and greeting
P11
1) 4. 2) to show respect and also a way to inform the audience about the beginning and closure of the vlog. It can also create different impression to the audience when someone is greeting in different accents and intonation. It also helps to indicate one’s identity.
P12
1)5. 2) to create a more personal relationship with the audience by greeting them. It is also a way of showing courtesy and respect in communication.
P13
1. answer is 4
2. To show courtesy towards the viewers and also as an act of signing in and out
P14
1)4 2)it provides indication to the viewers about the start and the end of the video.
Plus, it is basic in greeting.
P15 Question 1
5. Strongly Agree
Reason: Opening and closing is just like “Start” and “The End” of the video in Vlogs. I can’t imagine if someone just suddenly “appear” and talking grandmother story, so scary…Just like a person having some mental problem. Also, it shows politeness of a person.
P16
1. disagree.
2. cause the main reason people watching vlog is to get information or have their own purpose to be there, so the open and close sequences are not really important in that situation.
P17 1. 4
2. Opening and closing sequences brings about a connection between the vlogger and the audience. It indicates a start and an end of a conversation/announcement to the audience. The opening sequence, in a way, prepares both the vlogger and the audience for the message that is to be presented, quite like taking a breath before going into the message. However, the closing sequence plays different role from the opening. Besides indicating the end of a vlog, sometimes it may be an advice or opinion that the vlogger wants to declare to make an impact towards the audience.
P18 1. 4
2. for me its just a good manner, yet without it will make people feels that the video like been chopped because no starting or ending.
P19 1. 5
2. I think that opening sequence is important coz it’s important for the vlogger to introduce him or herself to the viewers. Some viewers may not know who they are. It is also common courtesy for the vloggers to greet the viewers and build rapport before vlogging.
A closing is important to round up and end the vlog, as well as to create anticipation for the next vlog uploaded.
P20
1) 5 Strongly Agree 2) At the beginning it is necessary to greet everyone, because this is a basic expression of courtesy. You need to greet everyone to show your sincerity and then make them continue listening to you. When you end your video, you need to say thank you to show that you appreciate those who are watching your video. Your good attitude might make them feel like watching your next vlog again.
P21
4, agree. It is because polite greeting to the audience who support and follow their vblog.
P22 1. 4 agree
Because I think it brings proximity with the viewers and also creates a less formal and