I had to write a rhetorical analysis for English class. But then I got it back with a horrible grade; the teacher said that had to add more of my thoughts and "rhetoric." But I don't know what to do with it! Can you please help me?
Originally written by David Brooks for the New York Times in 2003, "Love, Internet Style" in this instance was taken from the McGraw Hill Reader (9th edition) by Gilbert H. Muller, pg. 323. This essay has fourteen paragraphs; although not stated, the implied thesis is "The Internet facilitates personal relationships."
The opening statement of this essay is laconic – "The Internet slows things down." Hereby, Brooks establishes his introduction. The following paragraph goes on to expand his first statement. He claims that the online dating process progresses with a slower pace, i.e. people get to know each other better before they get more serious and intimate.
His next claim is summarized by his own words - "For generations Americans had certain courtship rituals." The author proceeds to examine the general progress of traditional courtship – dates, kissing, petting, etc... "But," he asserts, "Over the past few decades that structure dissolved." People found that the Internet can help them establish the relationships they want. To prove his statement, David Brooks presents staggering statistics - forty million Americans each month visit online dating sites. "The online dating scene is like a real estate market..." In the author's opinion, online dating is a transaction or operation, but it also can be very affectionate.
Then the author begins to describe the steps – "It begins with sorting." People search for their date specifying age, education, religious or ethnic background. This way they find the exact date they wish. And, as if a sudden thought stroke him, Brooks reflects on the side effect of online dating - acceleration of social stratification. He underlines the fact that highly educated people are more likely to find each other.
After sorting, people go to the next step – they hunt for dates with "good looks" – physical appearance. This factor, as the author notices, is much more compelling than income. However, the search does not end there - "But there are also autobiographical essays." Online daters compose intellectual articles about themselves telling how they are "sensual yet smart". When writing autobiographies, women on these sites pose themselves very self-confident. One woman on Match.com tells about herself in very expressive terms. Another female implies to the reader that she is just the one you want. Nonetheless, men make most of the contacts; they exchange online correspondence, tell true and false stories about themselves. Besides that, men are the ones that are more likely to be predators. Males request for more photos, in some cases calling females very meaningful names. Women tend to set the pace by responding negatively or positively.
Nearing the end, the author contemplates "... Internet relationships are at least as powerful as relationships that begin face to face." For many the keyboard is a much better source of communication than a traditional dialogue. In many cases, the slower pace of online interaction can be beneficial in the establishment of more lasting relationships. Although the word "love" seldom appears on the webpage, the essence of all online dates is still love...
David Brooks establishes his authority in this essay by presenting the topic in a very authoritative and convincing style. He hardly gives place for doubts by using concrete facts. The author seems very persuasive about this issue of online dating. He establishes a formal setting in which his role as the author is to inform. The writer appears to have studied the subject in depth. He gives a list of different websites that people sort through to find their date. (JDate, EHarmony, Vanity Date) He includes statistics that support his claims. He mentions that about one-fifth of online daters are married men. (par. 11) He also introduces the results of "studies by Katelyn McKenna at N.Y.U. and others" that also reinforce his claim – that Cyberspace relationships are at least as powerful as relationships that begin in the flesh.
But on the other hand, the author seems to criticize online dating. He appears to have an underlying cynicism not noticeable on the surface. His quote "The online dating scene is like a real estate market where people go to fulfill their most sensitive needs" vaguely but unquestionably states his personal beliefs. By calling this process "ruthlessly transactional and strangely tender" he sets himself aside. Furthermore, he states: "The online dating world is superficially cynical." His approach to this subject is not merely informative, but also that of irony.
David Brooks assumes that his audience is not familiar with this new way of courting; thus, he explains the online dating process in detail. But he does not merely inform; he aspires to persuade the reader to uphold his disdain for this ruthless transaction.
Nevertheless, the author does not seem pushy about his opinion. He allows room for other opinions. He is even somewhat optimistic saying "But despite all the class competition, all the marketing, all the shopping around, people connect." And as is if he is scornfully smiling he concludes "But love is what this is all about. And the heart, even in this commercial age, finds a way."
Vitaliy Marchenko
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